Can Water Damage Cause Mold?

Can water damage cause mold? The answer is yes. If you discover mold inside your home, you should call a water damage restoration Portland Oregon company right away.

If left untreated, mold will only get worse. It can lead to structural issues and cause health issues down the line. To keep you, your home, and your loved ones safe, invest in water damage restoration repair. It’s the only way to keep mold growth at bay.

What Does Mold Need to Grow?

Like us, mold needs food, water, and oxygen to survive. This includes temperatures between 77 – 86 degrees F, organic matter to eat, and damp conditions to spread.

Because mold thrives in wet, damp, and humid conditions, it usually develops after water damage. Think of your shower. Are there black strips or spots on the tile and grout? If so, this is a common example of how mold grows and develops.

Your shower creates humidity. The water gets onto the tile and grout. Because the grout is porous, it contains dead skin cells, soap, and other types of organic matter for mold to feast on. These elements make it easy for mold to grow if left untreated.

This same concept applies to mold that grows anywhere else in your house. This brings us to our next point.

Where Does Water Damage Occur?

Water damage is likely to occur anywhere you have pipes or access to water. For example, your kitchen and bathroom could experience burst water pipes that lead to water damage. Likewise, your kitchen and laundry room could experience malfunctioning appliances that leak water. A common example would be your dishwasher or washing machine.

When these leaks occur, they can lead to mold if left untreated. However, the water damage isn’t usually severe. The real problems occur in your attic and basement.

Your basement could flood due to a faulty water heater. However, it may also experience water damage due to clogged gutters. If there is an obstruction in your gutters, water will spill over the sides. This rainwater could wind up in your basement.

Another issue is the attic, mainly as the result of a roof leak. If your shingles are damaged, it could make it easier for water to seep through your roof, and then your ceiling.

The big issue that comes with water damage in these areas is that you may not be checking them regularly. As such, mold will have plenty of time to grow and spread, adding another cost to your other home repair bills. The best way to catch mold early on is to conduct regular roof and gutter cleanings to spot necessary repairs sooner rather than later. Likewise, if you’re expecting a storm, check the basement and attic for any leaks.

How Mold Affects You and Your Home

Mold can lead to structural issues around your home, like wood rot and warping. Furthermore, it may also lead to severe allergy symptoms. This includes coughing, watery eyes, and wheezing. However, it may also lead to skin rashes, gastrointestinal issues, and depression if left untreated for too long.

Even worse is that mold affects everyone in the house, including your pets.

How Water Damage Restoration Helps Combat Mold Growth

After experiencing a water leak, it’s advised that you call in a professional as soon as possible. The reason for this is because mold grows in as few as 24 hours after water exposure.

When your home suffers a water leak, a restoration crew will remove the water and disinfect the area. This helps remove part of the environment mold needs to survive. Next, they will use dehumidifiers to grab excess moisture from the air. Water leaks lead to moisture. A dehumidifier will remove this, so mold doesn’t have a hospitable environment to grow in.

Water damage restoration not only gets rid of the water and anything that’s been contaminated, but it helps combat mold growth before it begins or grows wildly out of control. If you need quality water damage restoration Portland Oregon services, call PNW Restoration.

Do You Need Professional Water Damage Restoration Portland Oregon Services? Let the Pros at PNW Restoration Help!

Water damage can occur in a number of ways. Whether it’s the result of a bad rainstorm, a faulty water heater, or a burst pipe, you shouldn’t leave it unattended. Water damage can – and quickly does – lead to mold growth.

To combat mold growth, call PNW Restoration for all your water damage needs. We can be reached at (971) 247-3381. Give us a call today to schedule your water damage restoration Portland Oregon services.

Our services are available in Portland, Canby, Aloha, and West Linn. Whether large or small, water damage isn’t something you have to treat yourself. Let PNW Restoration help.