Water damage can quickly turn into a serious mold problem in a commercial building. When water enters a building, it leaves behind moisture in walls, floors, ceilings, carpets and furniture. This moisture creates the perfect environment for mold to grow.

Below, this mold removal company in Schaumburg, Illinois is going to explain exactly how fast mold can spread throughout your commercial building after water damage.

Mold can start growing extremely fast

Mold can start growing within 24 to 48 hours of an area becoming wet. Mold spores already exist in the air both inside and outside buildings, so they only need moisture and a suitable surface to form a mold colony.

The EPA, CDC and OSHA all advise property owners to dry affected areas within that same 24 to 48 hour window. Fast drying removes the moisture that mold needs to survive.

Fast drying also prevents water from soaking deeper into building materials. When materials absorb moisture, they retain it for a long time. This trapped moisture creates the perfect environment for mold growth.

Mold spreads even when you can’t see the signs

Mold colonies can form inside buildings even when there are no visible signs of contamination. Mold grows inside wall cavities, above ceiling tiles, under carpets and padding, inside insulation and even within HVAC components. These areas can stay damp for long periods, which is how mold colonies can grow and spread without immediate detection.

A small patch of mold on a wall is a sign of a larger moisture problem somewhere else in the building. The visible mold may represent only a small portion of the contamination. The real source could come from a leaking pipe, roof damage, long-term condensation, elevated humidity levels or water damage that was never properly dried.

A professional mold removal company in Schaumburg, Illinois will first work to identify the source of the moisture. The company will fix the water problem and stop more moisture from spreading. The team will then contain the affected area and remove the contaminated materials.

When does mold damage require full remediation?

Mold can cause serious damage to building materials when it keeps growing unchecked. Mold spreads by feeding on moisture and it can gradually destroy many surfaces inside a building.

Surface cleaning will not solve the problem because it only removes the mold you can see. Mold can continue to grow deeper into materials, so cleaning the outside may not eliminate the problem.

The EPA explains that wet, moldy porous materials need to be discarded. Materials like drywall, ceiling tiles, carpeting, insulation and some types of wood can soak up moisture like a sponge. Mold can grow in areas where cleaning tools cannot reach. And that is the reason removing all the mold from these materials can become very difficult, and sometimes impossible.

Fast drying can stop mold growth before it penetrates deeper layers. But if the moisture remains for too long or mold has already spread, those materials may need to be removed.

A mold removal company in Schaumburg, Illinois can perform an inspection to see how far the mold has spread. They can then decide if they should choose cleaning or removal.

Looking for a mold removal company in Schaumburg, Illinois?

Are you searching for a top-rated mold removal company in Schaumburg, Illinois? If so, Axis Response Group is here to help. Our trained environmental remediation team will locate the source of moisture and mold in your commercial property and safely remove any materials that can’t be saved. Contact us today to schedule your free on-site assessment.