How to Prevent Mold Growth After a Flood

By Shelley Frost

October 09, 2024

From natural disasters to major plumbing issues, water damage in your home causes major headaches. In addition to the direct damage caused by the water itself, you could also face mold growth in your home.

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How Fast Does Mold Grow After Water Damage?

Mold and mildew start growing quickly after water damage — as early as 24 to 48 hours after surfaces are exposed to moisture. However, you won't see visible signs of mold at that point. Mold spores take hold and multiply when they land on damp surfaces. You can't see the mold spores, which means you won't notice the mold until it grows for several days or weeks.

Is Mold From Water Damage Dangerous?

Exposure to mold can cause health issues that range from a stuffy nose to life-threatening complications, depending on the level of exposure, the type of mold and whether the exposed individual is sensitive to mold or is immunocompromised.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, no type of mold is considered "safe," especially in living areas, and it should be removed. The CDC says sensitive individuals and those with lung conditioners should not clean up mold. If you are going to clean up mold, you should protect your respiratory system with an N95 respirator. Protect your skin with full-coverage clothing and gloves, and keep mold spores out of your eyes with goggles.

Where Does Mold Tend to Grow After a Flood?

Mold spores can grow on any surface in your home, including inside your HVAC system. After water damage, mold growth is most likely to start on porous surfaces that were submerged in the water or remained damp for an extended period. Porous materials include drywall, carpet, wood, insulation and ceiling tiles. However, mold can also grow on nonporous surfaces inside your home.

Flooring, walls and furniture are common areas that grow mold because they're more likely to have water exposure. Once the mold starts growing, it can spread to other surfaces in your home. Learning how to prevent mold growth after flood damage can keep it from spreading.

What Are Some Ways to Prevent Mold After Water Damage?

Acting fast is important when you're trying to stop water damage mold. If you start cleaning affected areas in the first 24 to 48 hours, you may be able to salvage many of your belongings without any mold growth. Follow these tips on how to prevent mold growth after a flood:

Eliminate the Water

Depending on the circumstances and how much water is in your home, this step can be difficult. Some options include water pumps, buckets, mops and wet/dry vacuums.

Dry Out the Space

Once the standing water is gone, you need to dry the space thoroughly. Fans and dehumidifiers can help. Opening your windows can also help circulate the air and dry surfaces faster.

Remove Damaged Items

Many of the items exposed to the water can't be saved. This often includes carpet, padding and furniture that was submerged. If you remove and dry the carpeting quickly enough, you may be able to salvage it. Removing items you can't save quickly gets rid of the moisture mold needs to grow.

Remove Drywall

If the drywall is submerged in water, you'll likely need to remove it. To be safe, tear out the drywall 1 foot above the water line. It can be difficult to dry walls and ceilings completely. Even if the surface is dry, they could hold onto moisture behind the surface.

Clean What's Left

Most of what's left will likely be hard surfaces, such as metal, glass and concrete. Detergent and hot water work well to clean these surfaces. Scrub them with a brush or another cleaning tool that's safe for the material. Dry the surfaces well after cleaning them.

Sanitize Surfaces

Using sanitizer on the surfaces you want to salvage can stop mold from growing. A solution of 10% bleach works on many surfaces, such as concrete. Do a test patch to make sure the bleach and water solution doesn't damage the material. Leave the sanitizer on the surface for 10 minutes before wiping it away.

Monitor Salvaged Items

If you clean and sanitize items that were exposed to the water, keep an eye on them for several days to watch for mold growth.

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Protect Your House: Call a Professional

If the water damage is extensive, calling a water restoration professional makes the job easier. They offer professional tools and processes to prevent mold from water leaks and floods. Professional cleaners can often complete the job faster than you can, which is important because mold starts growing so quickly. In addition to general water restoration services, you might also look for specialty services to restore furniture, art or other sentimental items that are exposed to water.

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