How Long Does It Take for Mold to Grow? Simply Explained
Does a leak or humidity have you worried about mold growing in the home? This article will discuss how long it takes for mold to grow. It will also provide practical suggestions that can help you to get rid of it.
Under ideal conditions, it takes mold between 24 and 48 hours to grow. The spores are usually furry in appearance. They may also appear as black, white, brown, or green stains. The spores are usually visible when the ideal conditions are present for between 18-24 days.
After seeing just how quickly mold can grow, you may be wondering:
- Where is mold most likely to grow?
- What can you do to prevent mold from growing?
- How should you clean mold patches?
Make sure you check out the rest of this article as it will discuss the answers to these questions and more. It will also provide you with a great guide that will help you to keep your family and home safe from mold.
How Long Does It Take for Mold to Grow?
One of the most frustrating problems to have to deal with around the home is a leak. Leaks present immediate problems, such as damaging your things. They can also lead to the staining and discoloration of your floors, ceiling, and walls. But one of the scariest dangers is the mold that could crop up later if you leave the area untreated.
But, of course, it’s not just a leak that could invite mold into your home. Mold could also pop up for many other reasons. Take a look at some of the most common reasons why homes have issues with mold below:
- Humidity
- Leaks, from pipes, the ceiling, etc
- Condensation
- Poor ventilation
- Wet clothing
- A damp foundation
But how long will it take for mold to grow on certain surfaces and become visible? The following information will tell you just how quickly mold can start to show spores. It will analyze various areas around the home.
| Location of the Mold | How Long It Takes for the Mold to Grow | How Long It Takes for the Mold Spores to Become Visible |
| Hidden Surfaces | 24 to 48 hours | 24 hours |
| Hard Surfaces | 24 to 48 hours | 14 to 21 days |
| Attic | 24 to 48 hours | 24 hours |
| Wet and Warm Areas | 24 to 48 hours | 24 hours |
| Open Areas | 24 to 48 hours | 30 days or more |
We all have our favorite room in the home and, surprise surprise, so does mold. You can expect mold to grow faster in warm and wet rooms than it will in others. But which rooms are we talking about? Which rooms and locations in the home should you have under the greatest scrutiny? The following information will help you find out.
The Bathroom
The bathroom is one of those wet and warm areas that mold grows best in. It is common for mold to grow in the bathroom in the following places:
- Around the shower and bathtub
- Under the sink
- On the walls and floor
- Behind the toilet
A very minor leak in the pipes under the bathroom sink could attract mold. A cupboard under the bathroom sink could also begin to harbor mold. It could do so if cleaning equipment isn’t dried properly before it is stored under the sink.
Mold can also find its way between tile grouting on the floor and walls around the shower and bathtub.
The Kitchen
The kitchen has a variety of surfaces. Some of its surfaces are warm and wet such as the area near the sink. The kitchen is also made up of hard areas and open spaces such as the tiling and floor.
This makes it easy for mold to grow in some parts of the kitchen and harder for it to grow in others. It is common for mold to grow in the kitchen in the following areas:
- On, under, and around the sink
- In the refrigerator
- In the microwave
Mold can quickly spread around the sink because it is always damp. Spores usually begin to grow in the place where you leave your wet sponge. It is also common to find them under, around, and on your drying rack.
Food that has passed its use-by date is also likely to grow mold. This can quickly spread, even if the food is kept inside the fridge. Food that is left out in the open is also a target for mold. This is especially true if it is left in a warm, enclosed space such as the microwave.
Because the kitchen is a large, open area, it may be more unusual for you to find mold on the floor.
The Bedroom
Many places in the bedroom attract mold growth. Here are some of them:
- On the mattress
- On and around the windows, window sills, and window ledges
If your bedroom is humid you may have a problem with mold around the windows, window sills, and window ledges. Condensation can also cause mold spores to grow.
The Attic
The attic is also in danger of mold. You should also check for it in the following places:
- In the insulation
- On your drywall
The attic and your insulation are prime areas for mold to grow. These hidden areas are warm and in the case of the attic are being heated all day by the rest of the home. Spores could appear in the attic and insulation faster than anywhere else in the house.
Tips for Preventing Mold
Prevention is better than cure! So, what can you do to prevent mold from growing inside your home? Take a look below at the list of rooms that mold is most likely to affect. The guide will give you some simple solutions to help prevent the build-up of mold in the home.
| Room in the HouseTips to Prevent MoldThe Bathroom- Fix leaking faucets and pipes – Dry surfaces after cleaning them (such as the floor after mopping) – Install an extractor fan | |
| The Kitchen | – Fix leaking faucets and pipes – Dry countertops after cleaning them – Remove old food from the refrigerator – Clean spills in the microwave immediately – Dry the dishes after washing them up – Install an extractor hood |
| The Bedroom | – Repair leaks in the air conditioning – Regularly clear condensation off of the windows – Use a bed frame with slats that will air the mattress – Ventilate the room regularly |
| The Attic | – Fix any leaks – Clean the gutter periodically |
How to Clean Mold Patches
Mold spreads quickly. So if you’ve found a patch of mold in the home, clean it immediately. Make sure you get rid of it ASAP before it becomes a bigger problem!
If the patch of mold isn’t too big then you should be able to tackle it yourself without calling in a professional. But there is a method for cleaning mold that will help keep you and your family safe. Take a look at it below:
You will need:
- Gloves
- Protective eyewear
- A mask
- Disinfectants
Method:
- Put on the protective gear (the gloves, eyewear, and mask).
- Ventilate the area. Keep the windows and doors open while you are cleaning.
- Conduct a test patch. Clean a small area that has been affected by mold. If your health is severely affected, call a professional to clean up the rest.
- Clean all surfaces with a disinfectant. Let the solution rest on the surface for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it away with hot water.
- For hard surfaces: Clean the mold away with a stiff brush.
- For porous materials: Clean the mold away with a sponge.
- Dry the surface thoroughly. Keep an eye on porous surfaces. If mold resurfaces after a few days, discard the item or seek professional help.
- Keep the area ventilated after you have finished cleaning. This will ensure that the mold spores clear the atmosphere.
Conclusion
Mold grows quickly and spreads fast. It doesn’t take much for it to begin to appear in your bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, and other rooms in the house. This article has mentioned the most common places in the house that attract mold. The practical suggestions that were listed could help you to eradicate the problem.
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Have a great day!
-Craig
