How Mold Grows After Water Damage & How to Prevent It

Water can damage personal belongings, warp beautiful hardwood floors, and even cause foundational issues. Unfortunately, water's destructive power doesn't end there. Mold spores may begin their silent invasion within 24 to 48 hours after water damage occurs. And what might have seemed like a relatively quick fix can quickly turn into a dangerous situation.

Whether you are cleaning up in the aftermath of a basement flood or simply want to plan ahead, these strategies will help you prevent mold after water damage.

Water and Mold Growth: What’s the Connection?

Mold spores are everywhere, even indoors. And while these microscopic spores are generally harmless when dormant, moisture and high humidity levels in a flooded area give mold the perfect conditions to grow and spread.

Believe it or not, the recipe for mold growth is relatively simple. All it needs is:

• Moisture from major floods or even minor leaks
• Organic materials like wood, drywall, and carpet
• Temperatures between 60-80°F
• A little time—often as few as 24-48 hours

Unfortunately, most homes contain the organic material and temperature mold needs to thrive. This is why seemingly minor water incidents can quickly become major mold disasters.

How to Prevent Mold Growth After Water Damage

When it comes to preventing mold after water damage, time is your friend. The faster you remove wet materials and begin drying, the better your chance of preventing mold.

Here’s what you need to do:

Remove Wet Materials

Quickly remove materials like carpet, damaged drywall, books, cardboard—anything that absorbs moisture. In many cases, items may appear salvageable. But without restoration, common household items can harbor mold spores. Carefully consider which items must be disposed of and those that can be dried, disinfected, and later restored by a professional.

Dry Out the Area

With damaged items removed, thoroughly dry the area to prevent mold after a flood. Mop up excess water and use fans and dehumidifiers to increase airflow and reduce moisture.

The key is to get air flowing through the entire space. Do not stop at the surface level, as moisture often hides behind drywall, beneath flooring, and under heavy appliances. After drying visible areas, focus on wall cavities, spaces under cabinets, subflooring, ceiling tiles, and drywall.

Improve Ventilation

You can improve efficiency during the drying process by opening windows, using exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens, and turning on ceiling fans. Beyond creating an efficient cross breeze, improved ventilation also prevents mold after water damage by lowering humidity levels.

Clean & Disinfect

Once the area is dry, it’s time to disinfect with an EPA-approved cleaning solution. While tempting to reach for bleach, this common household cleaner will not penetrate porous surfaces. Worse, it may even trap moisture in some materials and exacerbate the issue.

Stick to EPA-approved cleaners and professional-grade antimicrobial treatments. Finally, always wear protective gear!

Contact a Professional

In an ideal world, you would begin the remediation process immediately after it occurred. But what happens if you discover the water damage days later? In these instances, it’s important to contact a water damage and mold remediation specialist like RenewPro, particularly if:

• Damage occurred more than 48 hours before you discovered it
• You suspect mold growth
• The water damage was caused by contaminated water
• Or the damage has compromised the structural integrity of your home

Our certified restoration experts work quickly to:

• Stop the leak at its source
• Communicate with your insurance provider to minimize stress
• Remove damaged items and restore those that can be salvaged
• Dry the affected area
• Test for hidden moisture
• Clean and sanitize affected areas
• Destroy any existing mold
• Return your home to its original condition

When Water and Mold Disasters Strike, We Strike Back

With over 20 years of disaster restoration experience, our team of experts has the knowledge and personalized approach you need to recover quickly from water and mold damage incidents. We are on-call 24/7 and ready to handle virtually any job. Contact us today!