How Long Does It Take for Mold to Grow After Water Damage?

7/1/2021 (Permalink)

Water is the stuff of life. It covers most of the planet, makes up the majority of our bodies, and sustains every life form on Earth.

That’s great, but it also means that when you have a water intrusion in your home, you’ve created an environment where life can thrive. Microscopic organisms can multiply rapidly in areas of unusually high moisture and humidity, especially when a food source is available (like, say, the paper on your drywall).

The key to preventing mold growth is a fast response. But how fast? How long does it take mold to develop after water damage?

The Timeline for Mold

The basic rule of thumb that most mold remediation technicians will tell you is that mold colonies can start to grow within 24 to 48 hours in the right conditions. If they have moisture, and they have something to eat, you’re at risk of an infestation.

Like anything else, this is not a black-and-white rule. We’ve seen situations where contaminated water has sat for nearly a week and no mold has developed. We’ve also seen situations where a seemingly uncontaminated home can become a dank, mold-infested biohazard over the course of a weekend.

Our advice is to assume the worst – if you let water and moisture sit for more than a day without taking any measures to reduce humidity, promote drying and inhibit the growth of mold, you stand a very good risk of starting an infestation.

That’s why we’re available 24/7/365. If you’re dealing with a water loss, call 716-674-1103 – we’re here to help.