Water damage is an event that intrudes water through natural forces or ignorance of leakages. If water damage is not promptly addressed, it increases the chances of mold growth because a high humid level provides a favorable atmosphere for mold to develop. It causes structural damage and poses health risks. It can be drawn out that water damage and mold growth have some interconnectedness. Additionally, seek professional assistance from a water damage restoration service once your commercial or residential property is exposed to water damage to mitigate the health risk of mold exposure. Let’s find out how water damage and mold growth are interlinked.
Causes Of Water Damage For Mold Growth
Water damage and mold infestation are interconnected, once the water damage happens to your premise there is a significant chance of mold development. Some common causes of water damage lead to mold happenings. Below listed those reasons:
Natural Factors
Sometimes heavy rainfall caused flooding. When this flood water enters your home it contains moisture and humidity that encourage mold to grow.
Plumbing And Appliance Leakages
Leaking or broken plumbing pipes can cause water damage to walls and floors. Even the household appliance leakages also intruded water in the home. When water is not removed from the water-damaged surfaces, it has the potential for mold growth.
Sewer Backups Issue
Clogged gutters or inadequate drainage systems cause the problem of sewer backups and this allows to intrude water into your residential space leading to mold issues.
Cracks In Building Structure
A cracked roof and walls seep water through the ceilings and other structural components. If is not repaired on time it infiltrates water during rainfall and provides an ideal environment for mold development.
Favorable Conditions For Mold Growth Caused By Water Damage
Mold Growth is dependent on specific factors that are influenced by water damage. Here are the conditions that are responsible for mold growth due to water damage:
Presence Of Moisture
Mold or mildew needs moisture to develop and water-damaged areas provide an adequate source to thrive. Once water damage occurs in your working or living space it is crucial to dry those water-damaged surfaces, otherwise, high humidity remains on them which encourages mold.
Temperature Level
Mold can grow in warmer and cooler temperatures but it tends to grow rapidly in warm temperatures. Some mold variants can survive in cooler temperatures at a slower growth rate. Cold and humid condition develops mold in poorly insulated areas. Sometimes water damage occurs in the basement where the temperature is warm and damp. This promotes mold growth.
Food Source For Mold Growth
Carbon-contained and organic materials in your property are a great food source for mold development. Water damage might affect drywalls, carpets, and other building materials, providing a portion of food for mold occurrence.
How Water Damage And Mold Growth Are Interconnected?
Water damage and mold exposure are interlinked, mold is present in the surrounding air, it just requires moisture and time to grow and survive. After the water damage event mold started to grow within 24 to 48 hours as per the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report. If the water damage issue is left untreated, mold becomes visible in about 18-21 days and affects building materials to a large extent. When water is seeped into the premises due to flooding or leakages, offers an ideal environment to grow mold. Moisture and water-soaked organic materials are the food source for mold growth. If mold spores settle on various water-damage-affected areas, they germinate rapidly. When there is a delay in addressing water damage, increases the scope of mold exposure in your property and causes structural damage considerably. So it is necessary to call professional water damage restoration to prevent mold infestation.
Apart from this, mold growth caused by water damage poses health risks. So it is crucial to approach a water damage restoration service provider to mitigate the health risks and protect your property from structural damage. If you suspect water damage and mold growth in your space, ONT Restoration is on your side to restore the premises and belongings to their pre-hazardous form.
