If the house isn't completely dry in about 24 hours, mold will start to grow. It doesn't matter if it's summer or winter, you'll start to get mildew. It's almost a guarantee that mold will form to some extent, unless water damage is minimal. Try to clean and dry areas exposed to water within 48 hours to prevent mold from forming.
After cleaning and drying, remain sensitive to damp odors in the affected area. Something as simple as a faucet that drips and goes unnoticed for months can cause a leak. If your floor or carpet has been damaged by water, it goes without saying that removing damaged surfaces should be one of the first steps if you want to prevent mold from spreading. It's very important that you start with the process of drying up water damage or you could stick with your home repairs that will take even longer than they already require.
The cost of professionally drying areas damaged by water is almost always covered by insurance, so it doesn't cost you anything more to have to hire a restoration company like Jenkins Restorations to dry areas damaged by water to speed up time and return to normal. When you're faced with water damage and a potential mold problem, there are some definitive recommendations you should and shouldn't implement while you wait for help to arrive. If water accumulates in the foundation, take steps to drain the water away from the building. Then, be sure to immediately dry any areas damaged by water to prevent mold from forming after a water leak in your home.
Water damage is not an uncommon problem, especially in older homes in humid regions such as the Pacific Northwest. Clean up any water damage immediately and use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air using the same steps described above. Once you've shut off the water supply, you should also check the pipes for leaks. To do this, place a bucket under each faucet and let the cold water run.
Mold grows in humid conditions, so water leaks from leaking pipes often contribute to the growth and spread of mold. Especially after a leak or flood, water or excess moisture can be difficult to clean, and the damage that remains is often frustrating to treat and repair. Keep in mind that the process of drying water damage isn't always easy, and often what looks dry isn't. A flood or roof damage are a little different, but at least the water doesn't keep coming through the pipe.
As weather patterns change and storms become more intense and frequent, so do the chances of water damage and, subsequently, of mold forming.
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