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.
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.
Generally, it takes 24-48 hours for mold to germinate under ideal conditions. You won't actually see the mold latching onto the ceiling, walls, or furniture, but it'll be there. The spores will begin to colonize on surfaces in 3 to 12 days.
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.
Mold From Water Leaks
Leaking water doesn't just happen when something big like a pipe bursts. Something as simple as a dripping faucet going unnoticed for months can cause a leak. While the water damage won't always be apparent. It can still cause mold to grow inside walls or under flooring.
Does Water Damage Always Cause Mold? If the home is not completely dry within approximately 24 hours, mold will begin to grow. It doesn't matter if it's summer or winter, you'll begin to get mold. It's almost a guarantee that you will get mold in some capacity unless your water damage is extremely minimal.
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.
When it develops, these toxic mold spores can trigger allergies. It can also make existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma, worse. Worst of all, mold can slowly eat away at your ceiling tiles.
Dark Stains on Walls or Ceilings
Other colors of mold growth include green, grey, white, blue, and yellow. One way to tell if the stain is actually mold growth is to inspect the texture. Mold is usually soft, slimy, or fuzzy to the touch and can be easily smeared.
The Health Risks of Sleeping in a Room with Mould
If you're sleeping in a room with mould, you could be breathing in mycotoxins (toxic chemicals present in the spores of certain mould types) throughout the night.
Water damage signs include: Peeling, bubbling or flaking paint. Water rings, typically a light brown color. Musty smells.
Mold on drywall looks like dark stains or patches and usually covers a high-moisture area. Most often, mold grows in humid or poorly ventilated areas of a home such as bathrooms, basements, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
Exposure to toxic mold is especially dangerous to children and people with compromised immune systems. A person who is immunocompromised might develop a lung infection from mold or illnesses that lead to long-term issues and, in some cases, death.
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,.
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.
Homeowners insurance doesn't usually cover mold damage or removal unless it's the result of a covered peril. If the mold in your residence was caused by something sudden or accidental, such as a bursting pipe or some other covered incident on your policy, you may be protected.
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.
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.
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.
Most mold is unmistakable, but sometimes small or largely hidden growths just make a surface look dirty. 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 (or keeps coming back after cleaning), assume it's mold.
Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Dry all items completely. Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become moldy.
To check for mold, look for discoloration on surfaces with a slimy, fuzzy, or powdery texture.