How Can Water Damage Lead To Mold?
Everyone can experience water damage, whether in their homes or offices. It's a more common occurrence than you think. It can be caused by a small leak in the building or water flooding the entire space.
Ever wondered why a water-damaged building has a musty smell? What about the discoloration on the wall? In this article, we will discuss water damage and how it leads to mold growth, how to prevent mold problems, and what to do if you experience mold growth after water damage.
How Can Water Damage Occur in Your Place?
Water damage is a common occurrence because it can be caused by several events, which include:
- Natural weather conditions. Depending on your building location, it might be prone to water damage because of the weather situation. If you live in a flood-prone area, when there is unusually heavy downpour of rain, you are at risk for severe water damage. Severe weather conditions like hurricanes and thunderstorms can damage the roof of your building, causing rainwater to enter.
- Plumbing failures. Errors can be made during plumbing, but sometimes the materials wear out. These often lead to a leaking or burst pipe. It could be the pipe fixed to the sink or the one running through the walls. A leak in a wall pipe is often harder to notice and access, so the extent of the damage is much greater. A clogged toilet is another plumbing problem that can cause damage. In this case, your basement and bathroom will take the biggest hit.
- Building leaks. This involves leaking roofs, windows, or doors. It can be caused by the use of inferior materials or accidental damage. The interior of your building is then exposed to various weather conditions, including rainfall.
- AC Condensation. If your air conditioner leaks often, it can cause a lot of water damage. If it is an attic unit, your ceiling and baseboard will be soaked, while the ground floor unit will mainly affect your carpet.
- Washing machine overflow. Water damage occurs when such overflow is left unattended. Before anyone notices, the floor and walls would have absorbed much water.
You can avoid some of these causes of water damage if you are proactive about them.
How Is Mold Connected to Water Damage?
Mold is a fungus that produces spores. They are airborne and so can quickly spread from outdoor to indoor. Humans can also introduce them since they tend to cling to clothes and the sole of shoes. Mold will be inactive unless certain conditions are present such as:
- Moisture
- Oxygen
- Temperature of 77°F to 86°F
- Food
After water damage, your building meets all of these conditions adequately. Within 24-48 hours of the damage, if the moisture is not dried up, mold grows and its colonies multiply rapidly. They will be found on surfaces they can digest, such as walls, ceilings, wooden tables, and even paper. This is how they destroy household structures and materials. The longer the mold grows, the harder it will be to clean up and the more damage it will have done.
How Do You Spot Mold After Water Damage?
Mold is usually easy to spot as long as you know what you're looking for.
Some signs include:
- Small black or gray spots on damp clothing
- Stains on carpet or rug
- Discoloration of wall and ceiling
Mold stains materials and these stains are often permanent.
Non-visual signs of mold in your building include:
- Damp and musty odor
- Allergy flare-ups
Mold can be hazardous for those with respiratory problems and allergies. Some molds produce mycotoxins which, with long-term exposure, are harmful even for healthy individuals.
How Do You Prevent Mold Problems?
Most times, the element to address in order to prevent mold growth in your home or office is moisture. If you keep your space dry, then you can avoid mold problems. To achieve this, start practices such as:
- Inspecting pipes for leaks. Keeping things dry will involve inspecting your pipes for leaks and making sure to get them fixed no matter how little the leakage seems. Any area that is continuously moist will encourage mold growth.
- Clean up spills. Don't leave spills to dry up on their own. Try to prevent your floor or wooden tables from absorbing moisture.
- Maintain a humidity level below 50%. Living in a humid region can encourage the growth of mold in your building. When the humidity level is high, there is a lot of moisture in the air, which can make the interior of your house damp. Using a dehumidifier can help reduce the humidity. Air conditioners also help to keep your air cool.
If water damage has occurred, to prevent mold problems, restore your house to a dry state within 48 hours.
How Should I Respond When Faced With Mold Problems After Water Damage?
The best thing to do when you have a mold problem is to call a professional mold remediation service provider. With their wealth of experience handling such situations and the chemicals and equipment they have at their disposal, cleanup will be faster and more thorough than if you attempt to do it yourself. It would be best to act fast because the more time you give the mold to grow, the more extensive the damage will be.
Quick Action Is the Key to Minimizing Water Damage!
You cannot always avoid water damage, but you can manage it properly. Quick action can help you prevent the growth of mold and minimize the damage. If there is already mold growth, you need to act quickly to get rid of them.
Trust Feet Up Carpet Cleaning Eastchester to provide professional mold remediation services for your residential and commercial buildings in Eastchester. Call us at 914-222-1820 and we will provide you with an estimate.
