Short answer: yes. People often believe that only extensive water damage leads to mold growth and a recurring mold problem. However, this is not true. In reality, mold thrives in damp, humid conditions, so even if your property has suffered a minor leak, if not fixed timely, it can lead to mold infestation.
mildew and mold will develop within 24-48 hours of water exposure. Even worse, it will continue to grow until steps are taken to eliminate the source of moisture, and effectively deal with the mold problem. Use the diagram on the facing page to assess the extent of mold in your home.
Any water leak carries the risk of mold growth, but that doesn't necessarily mean that mold growth is certain. The chance of mold depends on many factors, such as the severity of water damage, how quickly it was cleaned up and dried, and the extent of surfaces affected.
After a leak or flood damage has been repaired, mold can continue to grow. Often, this is due to the fact that the problem wasn't fixed correctly the first time around. Moisture might be left behind or buried in wall cavities or under floors.
If your home or basement is flooded, even just a little bit, you must test it for mold quickly. As mentioned earlier, it only takes a day or two for mold spores to start colonizing. However, it could take weeks for the mold to become visible.
These symptoms usually first appear 2 to 9 hours after exposure and last for 1 to 3 days. Other affected persons have progressive shortness of breath and cough, as well as weight loss. Work-relatedness may only become apparent over long holidays if symptoms resolve and then recur on return to work.
The 48-72 hour window is critical to prevent mold growth as it usually takes 24 to 48 hours for mold to germinate and grow. Once fungus gets a hold on a drywall surface, it can be the breeding ground for thousands of spores and quickly spread in the air around the wall with every passing hour.
Dry mold will become active again once high levels of moisture or humidity are present in the area. Mold will continue to grow and multiply rapidly, which could intensify allergic reactions and other unfavorable symptoms. To put it simply, the answer to the question of “does mold die when it dries out,” is no.
When it comes to mold and water leaks, many people are unfamiliar with the extent of their connection. Most people don't realize that it's not just serious water damage, such as flooding or a visible leak that leads to mold. Any kind of leak that isn't properly fixed can cause mold to grow.
Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions.
Musty Smell
If you think there's mold in your walls, get on your hands and knees and smell the electrical outlets. This might sound silly, but it may help you sense mold if it's growing within walls. Outlets have better access to the area behind the walls. Thus, smelling them can help identify the mold problem.
As soon as any dripping or standing water has been extracted and the surrounding area is dry, it is time to schedule mold testing if necessary. There are several circumstances in which cleaning water damage and mold inspection should be done as quickly as possible: Leaks that have gone undetected for a long time.
Mold stays “dormant” in the air or on surfaces even when there's no excess moisture to help it grow. If the humidity in a room increases, mold will start growing in patches on walls, clothes, and more. So, to answer your question, dehumidifiers do NOT kill mold, but they do prevent it by reducing humidity.
How to test for mold after water damage. A quick test for mold can be done when you dip a swab in diluted bleach (1 part bleach, 16 parts water) and dab it on the wall. If the spot quickly lightens, it's most likely mold.
Bleach and dish detergent, common household items, can be used to clean mold in your home after a storm.
Water Damage
We often save the best for last, but in this case, we saved the worst. A big question homeowners often ask is “does wet drywall always need to be replaced?” and the answer is almost always yes. Water stains, discoloration, bubbling, peeling paint,.
Texture. Water damage has bubbles or peels in it that make it bumpy and loose, whereas mold growth is slimy, damp, and can smudge if touched.
When mold dries out and becomes temporarily inactive, it is considered “dead” mold. This happens when mold is killed, perhaps with bleach, but not removed. Dead mold appears flaky and powdery, unlike living mold that appears moist and grows in various colors, such as white, black, or yellow.
Contrary to the common belief, when mold dries, it is not dead. Mold is a fungus, a living organism that grows, breeds, and requires nourishment to survive. Mold thrives and multiplies when the environment supplies moisture, nourishment, and warmth.
Specifically, air purifiers with HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters work great at removing mold spores. HEPA filters are considered to be rated MERV 17 or above, which means that the filters can trap more than 99.7% of air particles as small as 0.3-1.0 microns in size.
If the water absorbs into the drywall, mold can start to grow within a few days. In that case, you'll need to reach out to a contractor to remove and replace it.
When searching for black mold, look for circular-shaped spots that are black, dark green or dark brown. Some black mold can also take on shades of orange or have flecks of white within it. Most of the time, black mold has a slightly furry appearance.
Mold can be very difficult to completely scrub away. But as long as the mold has been properly disinfected, there is no need to remove all visible mold inside of the walls. The walls will eventually be closed up with drywall. Also, the encapsulating coating will cover up much of the visible mold.