When one of your plumbing fixtures or pipes springs a leak, it’s easy to panic. As the water starts gushing across the floor and covering your surfaces, water damage becomes a very real possibility. Unfortunately, so does mold growth.
Sure, mold is unsightly and can tarnish the appearance of your home. However, it can also lead to a wide range of health problems, including allergic reactions such as a stuffy nose and watery eyes — or even difficulty breathing.
So, you’re probably wondering, how fast does mold grow after a water leak? Although there is a fairly straightforward answer to this question, some factors will make mold grow much quicker. Therefore, it’s essential to be aware of these factors to get ahead of the problem.
Without wasting any more time, let’s discuss how quickly mold can grow from water damage.
What Conditions Are Best for Mold Growth?
Mold can grow almost anywhere when the conditions are just right. In fact, mold requires only a few ingredients in order to thrive and survive. Use this helpful guide to learn more:
How Quickly Can Mold Grow From Water Damage?
So, let’s say one of your plumbing fixtures has started leak. There’s water all over your floor, seeping into your bathroom shower mat and collecting beneath your sink. How fast does mold grow after a water leak has started occurring? Unfortunately, mold can start rowing 24 to 48 hours after water damage.
However, just because mold starts growing in a day or two doesn’t mean that you’ll actually see it. In most cases, it can take 12 days for the mold spores to colonize and then 21 days before the mold becomes visible.
If you’re currently dealing with a water leak, you’ll want to address the problem as quickly as possible. Even if you can’t see mold growing on your surfaces, that doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
Indoor Temperatures
As we mentioned above, some factors can make mold grow at a faster rate. Unfortunately, one of these factors has to do with warm indoor temperatures. The ideal temperature range for mold growth is usually between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
So, how fast does mold grow after a water leak when temperatures are above 60 degrees Fahrenheit? Although it can be challenging to give an exact timeframe, you can typically expect these higher temperatures to accelerate mold growth overall.
Humidity
It’s also worth noting that high humidity inside your home can cause mold to grow faster. If you’re currently dealing with excessive humidity levels, you’ll want to address any plumbing leaks as soon as possible to get them under control. Any amount of moisture from a leak — whether it’s a gushing pipe or steady drip coming from the P-trap under the sink — can lead to mold growth in these conditions.
Surfaces
If your water leak is spilling onto surfaces that are made of organic materials, such as wood and rugs, you’ll want to dry up the area as soon as possible. Mold loves to grow on organic materials, so you can typically expect it to grow much faster in these areas.
During the cleanup process, you shouldn’t just dry the surface and call it a day. Try your best to clean every square inch, getting into the nooks and crannies to prevent mold growth as much as possible. You don’t want to leave water behind accidentally!
How Can Mold Growth Be Prevented?
Now that you know how quickly mold can grow from water damage, you’re probably wondering how you can prevent the issue from happening. Fortunately, there are various preventative measures you can take to keep mold growth at bay. This way, you can avoid mold removal!
For example, you’ll want to remove any excess moisture as quickly and thoroughly as possible. You can use towels and other drying methods to keep the water from pooling. Once you’ve done this, you should immediately call an emergency plumber in Rochester, NY. Although you can purchase some leak detection equipment to find the exact location of the leak, a professional plumber will be able to fix the problem quickly and accurately to prevent mold problems.
Repair Water Leaks Fast With AP Plumbing!
So, how fast does mold grow after a water leak? As you can see, the answer to this question can depend on various factors, such as the humidity levels inside your home and the specific location of the leak.
It’s crucial for homeowners to know how quickly mold can grow from water damage. Having this knowledge can help prevent mold from appearing in the first place, which can negate the need for a mold remediation or restoration company.
Fortunately, preventing mold growth is easy, thanks to AP Plumbing! Our professional plumbers can quickly locate and fix the plumbing leaks inside your home, ensuring your household is safe and comfortable. Our experts offer everything from emergency sump pump repair to drain cleanings, so you can count on us to meet all of your plumbing needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
