Does Water Damage Always Cause Mold in Minneapolis?

mold damage

If you live in Minneapolis, you might understand how weather changes can be damaging to your properties. The winters are snowy, while the summers are hot and humid. With that said, as a property owner, there is a chance you might have experienced a flooded house at least once. While a flood on a property is not a frequent event, it is not rare either. 

Imagine going on a holiday and only coming back to a swamped house. What an utter nightmare! Yes, dealing with water damage is difficult. But there is much more to deal with here than mere water damage. Most people still have to undergo the harsh consequences, and that is the growth of mold.

One of the many reasons why situations like these are immediately taken care of is due to the growth of mold. Preventing it from growing is necessary. It can get out of hand rather quickly and lower the quality of life within that property. But before we get to that, let’s be clear on what exactly mold is.

What is Mold?

Mold is a microorganism that grows on materials, such as food, wood, and drywall, in a moist environment. It reproduces in the air and spreads by spores from one surface to another. When mold spores land on a moist surface it starts to grow. The colony will reproduce itself by releasing additional mold spores in the air, and this is how the cycle continues. 

The more that it grows, the more risks it will pose to those present within that property. That is why more individuals will quickly reach out to professionals at places like Restoration 1 Greater Minneapolis to prevent mold growth and more issues.

Mold Spores after Water Damage

Just like other microorganisms, it exists everywhere in our environment. However, mold grows only in marshy and damp areas. If your house undergoes water damage, there’s a high chance that it will start to grow on organic materials such as the floor, furniture, rugs and carpet, and even the wall. 

Once the colony starts to build up, they invade the house. As such, mold forms after water damage.  This is why it is critical to remove the water damage to prevent mold and mitigate mold infestation. Whether there is a water leak, a burst pipe, or other matters, it is necessary to resolve it quickly to ensure that the problem does not get out of hand.

How long will it take for Mold to Start Growing after Water Damage

The real question is, does mold start growing immediately after the water damage? Well, no. It depends on the surface. Different surfaces take different times for mold to grow. It is necessary to dig into the details here; let us look at the general guideline of the time it takes for mold to grow after water damage.

Hidden Surfaces

Areas like corners of the bathroom, kitchen sinks, underfloor, below toilet seats, and behind drywall are the first target of mold to spread. As these areas have a high moisture content, the mold will start immediately to grow. 


Softer Surfaces

Mold grows faster on surfaces like drywall, fabrics, and wood. If they aren’t dried, the mold spores will start causing massive damage. 

Rough Surfaces

Surfaces like concrete and tile grout take about 2 to 3 weeks to grow mold. 

Attic

If water damage is not taken care of immediately, it will be warmed by the house’s heat and then find its way towards the attic. It takes approximately 24 hours for mold spores to start manifesting in the nest. 

Open And Wet Areas

Areas like living and dining areas are more susceptible to mold growth. Because of good ventilation, mold growth can take up to a month or so. Additionally, wet and warm areas are at the highest risk of mold growth. 

Ways to Spot Mold

Mold growth can be spotted in several ways. First, you need to inspect hidden and softer surfaces to find it out. If they aren’t visible, look for a musty smell in the room, there’s a chance the mold colony has started to grow. 

For better results, it is recommended to use a dehumidifier in the room. By doing so, you remove the moisture content in the air, so mold growth is inhibited. Here is how you can spot mold.

Prevent Mold from growing after Water Damage

When the rain and storms become more intense, the risk of water damage increases, at the same time, it is necessary to realize that the source of water damage can be a water leak, some structural issues n the house, and other matters.

The main concern is to deal with the growing mold in areas after the water damage. The ideal approach to deal with mold growth is to act quickly. By following these steps, you should remain mold-free. 

  • As soon as you experience water damage, start cleaning up right away! Call a professional as soon as you can. And, you can use a vacuum cleaner to clean up excess water from your home. 
  • Remember that it is not mere storms or rain events that can impact your house, but water can also enter through cracked roofs, pipelines, or windows. The best you can do is look for any leaks and fix them immediately. 
  • Remove furniture from the wet floors, and search for water damage. Get an in-depth home inspection. 
  • Use a water-vinegar solution to kill the mold growth.

These are some of the actions you can take to deal with mold problems, but a restoration company will make sure to deal with black mold and the source that will cause mold growth in your home. Reach out to a proficient restoration team today to minimize the enhancement of existing health problems.

Work with a Professional to Prevent Mold

As a homeowner, we understand your concern for your family’s health and safety. Although water damage can result from a dangerous event, the aftermath can be hazardous too. Mold is an intense allergen. It can influence the respiratory system causing headaches, nasal blockages, and throat itchiness.

However, the good news is- despite all the water damage, you can get your house cleaned up at the right time.  It is critical to reach out to our Restoration 1 of Greater Minneapolis team to minimize mold damage with our mold removal techniques and processes.

Our team of experts provides excellent cleaning services in Minneapolis. If you are looking for mold removal due to an incident with a water leak, damaged materials, and other aspects related to serious flooding, reach out to our team today.

We understand water leaks, mold exposure, and black mold problems and are here to resolve them as quickly as possible.

Book an appointment with a restoration company that has mold removal experience and cares about every single one of our customers!  Call us at 612-268-5789 today!