How Quickly Does Moisture Turn Into Mold?

Mold simply needs to find moisture to form. Mold can be present almost anywhere and can also pose a health hazard to your family and pets. Mold can quickly turn into a big problem if it is found inside your home. It is imperative that you learn the causes of mold growth so you can keep it from causing serious issues in your home.

Growth & Spread of Mold

Mold is a natural substance. It can quickly grow and spread, but it really depends on the type of material it is present on. It also depends on how much moisture it has to thrive. Mold thrives on insulation, drywall, wood, and other building materials that consist of cellulose. Cellulose is a material that mold treats as food. Again, once mold comes in contact with moisture, it can start to expand.

But in general, mold can begin to make its presence as soon as 24 hours after coming in contact with moisture. It can take approximately 3 to 12 days for mold to populate. Additionally, it can take anywhere between 18 and 21 days for the mold to become distinct.

Mold has a great chance of growing and populating if the moisture remains for a long period of time. Mold can begin to grow in as little as several hours once it comes in contact with a wet surface. Mold spores will then be released into the air and can progress to other wet surfaces nearby, which can really create a problem for your household.

Mold Growth Prevention

Controlling moisture is the best way to prevent the growth of mold. For example, maybe you are dealing with water damage in your home. The best way to prevent mold is by quickly cleaning up the wet surfaces and eliminating any moisture you can see. If certain materials in your household have already soaked up the water, they will only continue to do so until there is nothing left.

Following water damage, mold can begin growing within 24 hours, so don’t delay. The best thing to do is to use a wet vacuum to try and eliminate any standing water. You should also avoid allowing wet materials to air dry since this can take days to complete, enabling mold growth.

Cleaning Mold

The best way to clean mold is to contact a professional mold cleaning service. Cleaning mold on your own puts you at great risk of health issues, especially if you don’t have the proper equipment to protect yourself. Not cleaning mold the proper way can also cause the problem to worsen. It is best to leave this issue to a professional with the necessary products and equipment to clean mold safely and effectively. Professional mold remediation services can restore your home to an environment that is healthy to live in.

Categorised in: Mold Prevention