Understanding How Floods Create Consequential Mold Problems

8/5/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage leads to mold growth.

A flood is like a disaster that hits you with multiple attacks. The first round of moving water is actually dangerous and damaging in its powerful movement, the second attack is in the exposure of water contaminated with bacteria and other biohazards, and lastly, there is the sneak attack of mold growing in moist materials. Fast action is the key to prevent water and mold damage after a flood in Kansas City, MO.

Mold Facts

Mold growth happens rapidly. Spores are all around us in the air we breathe and when they settle in a damp area with a good food source they can start forming colonies. When you know what mold needs to reproduce, you'll understand why a flooded home is a ticking time bomb for mold development. Here are some fast facts about mold:

• Mold is a fungus that reproduces by spores
  
• Spores float through the air and enter buildings through windows, doors, and HVAC systems
  
• Mold needs moisture
  
• Mold needs an organic food source, such as cellulose found in wood and paper
  
• Mold growth begins in about 48 hours after a flood
  
  

By the way, most of those wet building materials in your home are made with wood and paper. Once the colonies begin, it's very difficult to prevent mold from developing in nearby areas since spores will be in an even higher concentration in the air. With more spores in the air and plenty of wet building materials, your flooded home is a breeding ground for mold.

Clean and Dry

So now that you understand how quickly these flood dangers can escalate, you understand that water removal and drying are the keys to preventing subsequent damage from standing water. The job is huge, but you can count on professionals to apply their knowledge and resources to get it done right. They will use special equipment to extract water and dry building materials and personal items all while monitoring moisture levels to ensure thorough drying. Quick and efficient water restoration will help prevent mold growth.