How long mold growth

Only a few inches of water or even just high humidity can create the necessary conditions for mold growth — then, it takes just a couple of short days for mold to develop and start damaging your property.

Yet, the problem can be easily avoided — all you need to do is eliminate the moisture before mold has had the chance to start developing. But how quickly does mold grow? How soon do you have to dry the premises to prevent the spores from taking root in your home?

To be able to prevent mold problems after a water incident, you need to know not only how long it takes for mold to form, but also how quickly it can affect your household items and materials:. Under ideal conditions optimal temperature and level of humidity , it takes 24 to 48 hours for mold to germinate and grow.

Typically, the spores begin to colonize in 3 to 12 days and become visible in about days. Of course, the time varies for different types of mold and depends on the actual conditions in the home — the type of surfaces and household materials in the affected area, the amount of moisture, the ambient temperature, etc. Nevertheless, the more time passes, the greater the chance for mold to develop and spread to other areas of the home. Mold spreads in as little as a few hours. When a mold spore lands on a moist organic material, it roots into the porous surface and begins to feed off the organic substance.

Once mold gets a foothold on a surface in your home, it quickly fills the air with thousands of spores that spread throughout the building, affecting more and more areas with every passing hour. So, the only way to prevent mold from infesting your home following an incident with water damage is to dry the premises within the first 48 hours after the water intrusion.

At that point, there will not be any obvious signs that mold spores are present in the area. Because mold spores are fairly contained at this stage, it is often the best time to eliminate them through cleaning with diluted bleach. After 12 days: However, if the mold spores are not detected during the germination stage, they are prone to colonize in as few as 3 days, with most types of mold gaining stable footing by 12 days post-germination. Even at this stage, mold may not be visible to the eye on the afflicted surface.

However, mold spores at this stage can begin to spread more effectively if the air in the area is not properly dehum i dified. After 18 days: Once you pass the 18 day threshold, you will almost certainly see the visible signs of mold begin to crop up on the afflicted surface. While the precise appearance may vary, most mold types are recognizable due to their dark color and spotty appearance. At this point, any cleaning of the afflicted surface will need to be far more thorough and accompanied by proper airway protection.

Controlling each of these factors after a major water leak is often the best way to prevent mold from taking hold in your home. Though it may be a small comfort to homeowners, mold of one kind or another is almost always present indoors unless it is being removed through an air filter.

As such, there is always a chance for mold to land on a given surface within your home. In theory, most any type of organic matter can serve the needs of common indoor molds. That being said, surfaces that are porous such as wood tend to fall victim to mold growth due to the manner in which they break down easily. As for water, mold only needs as much water as is in humid air to subsist and thrive when temperatures are just right. If these two factors are present, mold is able to germinate, colonize, and spread as described above.

This spreading process is not unlike the ways in which trees spread their seeds, though mold spores are invisible to the naked eye. While an initial mold colony may orbit around a single point, prolonged mold exposure can cause an entire object or an entire room to become a haven for mold growth. Even a small amount of moisture, if not handled quickly and properly, can turn into a large mold infestation.

Mold spores — tiny airborne particles that are not visible to the naked eye — exist everywhere in nature, and they can grow into visible mold after a water damage incident. When it starts invading your home, mold can threaten the health of its occupants.

Mold exposure is especially dangerous for people with breathing problems caused by allergies or asthma. However, you can avoid mold growth in your home if you act fast. All it takes is eliminating the moisture before mold has had the chance to start growing.

But how quickly does mold grow after a flood or moisture problem? According to the Environmental Protection Agency EPA , mold typically takes 24 to 48 hours to grow after a flood if the right conditions are met.

However, it depends on the type of surfaces and materials, amount of moisture, and temperature. Indoors, mold generally grows faster on softer surfaces in darker, warmer 70 degrees or more , and more humid environments. The chance for mold spores to spread from one area to another also increases with time. These microorganisms can quickly fill the air and spread throughout your home, affecting more and more areas and endangering your health with every passing hour.