Mold 101: How Long Does It Take For Mold To Grow On Drywall?

It only needs 24 to 48 hours to answer the question on “how long does it take for mold to grow on drywall.” In some cases, it takes at least three days for it to spread.

As long as the right conditions are there, mold can thrive on a wide range of building materials in your home. In addition to damaging the object it’s growing on, this development can lead to health issues for everyone who touches or inhales it. 

how long does it take for mold to grow on drywall

While mold growth is unavoidable, you and your home will be better off if you can stop it from occurring. The problem, though, is that mold may multiply.

 

Mold And Walls

Usually, mold only takes 2-3 days to grow on drywall. They reproduce by dispersing spores, which are microscopic, airborne seeds. 

In consuming organic material, molds eventually decompose the substance they are growing on and then disperse to decompose other organic material in their immediate area. Mold can cause extensive damage to your house and minor to significant health complications for you and your family that you may overlook.

Moisture and an organic food source are necessary for increasing mold spores, but the moisture component is critical. As a result, mold development is a common occurrence following water damage.

Excess water causes moisture in building materials, which the mold spores require to flourish.

 

How can you tell if mold is in your drywall?

There are times when water issues like floods or leakage cause mold to grow in drywall. Your home’s interior air is contaminated before you know it, making it unsafe for your family to breathe.

The good thing is that even though mold is undetectable, it leaves behind a trail of its presence. There are many ways to tell whether you have mold growing in your walls and know if you have mold in your walls.

Here’s an additional guide on how to detect mold behind walls.

 

Moisture stains

You should cut away drywall damage by water one foot far above the waterline. Mold can grow even in the presence of apparent leaks in walls.

If you see any of the following, your drywall may be wet. Moisture is most likely to be found in walls that are bent, bulging, or deformed.

 

Rotting wall

There is a good chance that if the wall is decaying, there is mold under it. Mold may not be as evident in less severe conditions.

You should check the walls and borders for mold, as well as the surfaces behind items. Be aware that mold can appear in various colors and textures, so be on the lookout.

Colors of mold can differ from black to green to gray to white. When mold forms under vinyl wallpaper, it can seem orange, pink, or purple.

Mold discoloration on walls, even if painted upon, is also another telltale indicator.

 

Musty smell

Mold may be hiding in your walls if you can smell it but can’t see any visible traces of it. They may swarm over your home if it emits a musty odor.

An earthy and damp forest-like aroma is what you get when you inhale mold spores.

It’s much easier for outlets to get into areas behind barriers. You can use the smell of mold to recognize the problem.

 

How fast does mold spread in drywall?

As the mold spores move through a surface, they become firmly anchored and savor the organic food that is easily obtainable. Mold can quickly spread to adjacent or surrounding moist areas in just a few hours.

When mold grows on a moist surface, it releases hundreds of millions of spores into the air, which can swiftly spread throughout your home. Molds are expanding their scope of attack with each passing minute.

To learn more, here’s a guide on how to remove mold from water damage easily.

 

How can I stop mold from growing?

If you have a water-damaged property, you must take immediate action to reduce the quantity of moisture in the air. Because water may spread so quickly, this is very critical.

A lack of moisture-absorbing materials and furniture will allow water to seep into the structure and spread farther, making the problem even worse.

You can utilize a wet vacuum to remove any surplus water from the carpet. Drying your home is the next step.

Alternatively, the moisture will stay, allowing mold to form before the normal drying process occurs.

If there is a lot of water and extensive damage, extraction and drying might be difficult. For the simple reason that letting wet items dry out in the open air can take ages and allow mold to grow.

 

Conclusion

Now that you know how long does it take for mold to grow on drywall, it’s best to make accurate measures to prevent it from spreading. If you need more hands, it’s best to hire professional help to get the best results.

If you are going DIY, consider wearing a protective mask.

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