Mold can start to grow just 24–48 hours after water damage occurs. If you have mold from water damage in your home, you need to take action right away. Mold can be dangerous for people, pets, and properties, so you’ll want to get rid of it as soon as possible.
With 70+ locations across the country, ATI Restoration can step in immediately if you have water damage. If mold testing confirms that you have mold on your property, we can also perform complete mold removal and remediation services.
It is possible to have mold after any type of water damage, from a small leak to a major flood. We offer a 24-Hour Emergency Response for all types of losses. This lays the groundwork for prompt water damage restoration and minimizes the risks presented by mold.
Does Mold Always Grow After Water Damage?
Although mold is a serious concern in properties affected by water damage, it is not a foregone conclusion that mold will form. Quickly drying and cleaning water-damaged areas is key for limiting mold growth, or perhaps preventing it altogether.
Do not assume that mold won’t grow just because you live in a dry climate or it’s cold outside. Mold can—and does—grow anywhere there is sufficient moisture and organic matter to feed upon. Drywall, wood, carpeting, insulation, and other porous materials are particularly susceptible to mold growth if they get wet.
Types of Mold to Look Out For After Water Damage
Mold from water damage may be fuzzy, slimy, or powdery in appearance. The color is typically black or gray, although certain species of mold may appear white, green, blue, orange, pink, red, or even purple. You might not notice any odors at first, but it typically doesn’t take long for mold to give off its characteristic musty, stale, or (in some cases) rotting smell.
Several different types of mold may start to grow if your home suffers water damage. These include:
- Alternaria
- This rapidly growing mold has a furry appearance and sometimes has hair-like strands. It is typically black, brown, or dark/olive green in color.
- Acremonium
- Starting off moist or even creamy in texture, Acremonium becomes powdery over time. Colors range from white and gray to pink and orange.
- Aspergillus
- Extremely common in homes even without water damage, Aspergillus colonies can take on a variety of colors (white, yellow, green, brown, or black) and may be flat or raised.
- Aureobasidium
- This mold is slimy at first before becoming more velvety. Aureobasidium may be pink or cream-colored but gets darker over time.
- Chaetomium
- Hazardous to humans and potentially destructive to certain building materials, Chaetomium is not a mold to take lightly. Colonies are initially white and fluffy like cotton before turning brown, gray, or black.
- Cladosporium
- When it first starts growing, Cladosporium starts out as small dots that are green, brown, or black in color. The texture is similar to velvet or suede, though it may also be powdery.
- Fusarium
- Colonies of Fusarium are somewhat wooly in appearance and often vivid in color—you may see bright yellow, pink, purple, and even red patches.
- Mucor
- Usually white or gray in appearance, Mucor colonies tend to grow in thick patches.
- Penicillium
- Not to be confused with penicillin, Penicillium mold is often blue-green or yellow and has a velvety appearance and texture.
- Stachybotrys
- Often called “toxic black mold,” Stachybotrys is very dangerous to humans. Species of Stachybotrys may be black or dark green in color and have a slimy or fuzzy texture.
- Trichoderma
- Colonies of Trichoderma start off white before turning a vibrant green. The texture is wooly or tufted.
- Ulocladium
- This type of mold is generally dark green or black in color and has a fuzzy texture.
Some species of mold may cause allergic reactions, while others represent a genuine threat to human health. The only way to know for sure what type of mold you have in your home and the risk to you and your family is to have the mold professionally inspected and tested.
The company you hire to test for mold should not be the same company to provide mold remediation, as that would be a conflict of interest. Testing should be performed by a qualified mold inspector or industrial hygienist, then remediation should be entrusted to a company specializing in mold removal, cleaning, etc.
Can Mold from Water Damage Make You Sick?
Yes, mold from water damage can make you sick. The symptoms you may experience depend on the species of mold in your home and how widespread the contamination is.
People who are sensitive or allergic to mold may experience symptoms such as:
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Sore or scratchy throat
- Red, itchy, or watery eyes
- Difficulty catching your breath
- Rash or hives, especially if your skin comes into contact with mold
Breathing difficulties may be more pronounced if you have asthma or other chronic respiratory conditions. People who are immunocompromised may also experience more severe reactions to mold in their environment.
Is Mold from Water Damage Toxic?
Some species of mold are toxic, and water damage creates favorable conditions for these dangerous types of mold to flourish and grow indoors. Many of the molds we mentioned above (including Stachybotrys, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Chaetomium, and Fusarium) can produce toxic effects in humans.
Potential effects of mold toxicity include:
- Respiratory issues, including chronic cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath
- Sinus infections
- Muscle aches
- Joint pain
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Getting sick more often than usual (may indicate a weakened immune system)
- Headaches, dizziness, and vertigo
- Depression, anxiety, and other mood changes
Don’t take chances with toxic mold. Whether water infiltrated your home through a leaky roof, an overflowing sink, a broken pipe, or a massive flood, you need to take action immediately to remove unwanted moisture.
How Do You Treat Mold After Water Damage?
According to the EPA, homeowners should consider hiring a contractor if there has been significant water damage or the mold has grown to more than 10 square feet in size. Professional inspection of the property can reveal obvious and hidden water damage, as well as determine potential mold concerns.
Rooms with large patches of mold need to be sealed off from the rest of the house before cleaning and remediation can begin. We turn off the HVAC and keep the area under continuous negative air pressure to keep spores from spreading.
We use a range of techniques and equipment to remove mold from non-porous surfaces and materials. Porous items that are contaminated with mold (such as carpet, drywall, insulation, etc.) may need to be removed and replaced.
Antimicrobial and antifungal solutions eliminate residual mold. Once mold is physically removed, we may use a fogger to neutralize airborne mold spores. If salvageable, contents with mold contamination may need to be taken off-site for cleaning and restoration.
Waste items, PPE, and remediation materials are bagged and sealed. These are then carefully removed from the property and disposed of in accordance with local and state regulations for mold-contaminated waste.
The final stage of mold treatment is to restore and repair the property. We may need to replace drywall and flooring, make structural repairs, and take additional steps to bring your property back to its pre-loss condition.
Before treating mold after water damage, it is critical to remove water from the property and completely dry your home. This can prevent structural damage and help to slow mold growth. Once the property is clean and dry, it can be inspected for mold.
Water damage and mold are so closely associated that it is beneficial to have a company that specializes in both types of losses. If mold is discovered in your house after water damage, a full-service contractor will be able to provide complete solutions.
Mold After Water Damage? ATI Restoration Can Help
ATI Restoration provides complete mold remediation services. We have the experience, training, and resources to address mold contamination after any type of water damage event. Call us 24/7/365 if you experience any of the following:
- Roof leaks
- Flooding, hurricanes, and tropical storms
- Malfunctioning HVAC systems
- Plumbing leaks
- And more
If your home or building recently sustained water damage and a mold test came back positive, contact ATI Restoration right away. We serve residential property owners from 70+ locations nationwide.