Mold after water damage
Mold needs moisture and time. Dry things out fast and you take away both. If it has already started, here is what to do.
Why speed matters
Mold grows on damp drywall, wood, carpet and insulation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advises drying water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth, and says that when materials are dried in that time, mold will not grow in most cases. Absorbent materials such as carpet and ceiling tiles may have to be thrown away if they become moldy.
Signs of mold after a leak
- A musty, earthy smell that does not go away.
- Spots or fuzz on walls, baseboards, the backs of carpet or the underside of stairs.
- Staining or bubbling paint where water ran.
- Allergy-like symptoms that get worse in one part of the house.
When to call a professional
- The moldy area is large, or mold came back after you cleaned it.
- The water was dirty, such as a sewage backup or floodwater.
- Mold is inside walls, ducts or crawl spaces where you cannot reach it.
- Someone in the house has asthma, allergies or a weak immune system.
A good company finds and fixes the moisture source first. Cleaning mold without drying the area just resets the clock. And killing mold is not enough: EPA notes that dead mold can still cause allergic reactions, so it has to be removed.
What remediation usually involves
- Fixing the water source and drying the area.
- Containing the work area so spores do not spread through the house.
- Removing moldy porous materials and cleaning hard surfaces.
- Drying and checking the area before repairs.
Request help with mold
Send a request, choose “Mold after water damage,” and say when the water damage happened.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, mold guidance for homes.