How a Mold Infestation Can Grow After Fire Damage to a Home or Business

Arizona Restoration Specialists, a Mesa, AZ, damage restoration company, warns homeowners that mold growth can occur after fire damage.

Arizona Restoration Specialists has served Mesa, AZ, and the Phoenix Valley area for over two decades with water damage restoration services. With crews on call around the clock 365 days a year, the company can respond within an hour to any water damage problem, including hidden water damage in the bathroom. A quick response is crucial because as minutes and hours pass, the water damage expands, and mold and mildew grow.

If a homeowner fails to detect a water leak in the bathroom and the leak goes untreated, the resulting damage to the ceiling, flooring, and walls can become extensive, causing repair costs to skyrocket. According to the U.S. Department of Energy , a leaky faucet wastes 259 gallons of water in one month. Imagine the damage that much water can do if it goes undetected and unrepaired.

Early detection of hidden water leaks and swift action to mitigate the leak and repair the damage can save thousands of dollars. Arizona Restoration Specialists offers these tips on how to detect hidden water leaks in the bathroom before the damage gets out of control.

Tip #1: Keep an eye out for mold and mildew.

If, after persistent cleaning of the bathroom, mold and mildew still appear, the cause may be a hidden water leak in the bathroom. A leaky pipe behind a wall, under a sink, or beneath the flooring provides mold with what it loves best — darkness, moisture, and warmth.

Some mildew in the corner of a shower is normal. However, mold or mildew on walls not affected by the shower could be a warning sign. Mildew and mold in corners away from the shower signal that water is leaking somewhere. Locating the source of the water and repairing the leak is of paramount importance. A leaking pipe provides plenty of moisture, so a delay in detecting and repairing the leak can substantially contribute to a mold infestation in the home.

Tip #2: Look up for ceiling stains.

A leak in the plumbing of an upstairs bathroom can reveal itself in the ceiling directly underneath the bathroom. Brown or copper-colored discolorations, stains, soft spots or sagging in the ceiling, or pooling water on the floor are telltale signs of an upstairs leak. Water can travel quite a distance before it finally escapes. Finding signs of moisture on the ceilings of adjacent rooms is possible.

Tip #3: Look down for any damaged flooring.

Bathroom flooring is designed to withstand higher moisture levels, so it seldom suffers from water damage unless there is a leak. Flooring that has buckled or that is cracked or stained for no obvious reason indicates there may be a hidden leak. The source could be a leaky pipe directly under the damaged flooring. The water might have traveled to the location from another area or room. Either way, the situation calls for immediate attention to stop the leak, prevent further damage, reduce the likelihood of a mold infestation, and repair the damage.

Tip #4: Look around for damage to walls.

Blistered paint or loose wallpaper may send the message that a bathroom leak has erupted. It takes more than steam from an occasional hot shower to compromise paint or wallpaper. Walls that develop stains or warping send a clear signal that there is a water leak.

Repairing the leak and the water damage to drywall often requires tearing out some or all of the affected drywall, which must be patched by a professional. While the inside of the wall is exposed, efforts to mitigate any mold growth may be needed.

Tip #5: Does the bathroom pass the “smell test?”



A musty, earthy smell in a freshly cleaned bathroom also indicates the strong possibility of a plumbing problem. Because the water is concealed in a wall, under a sink, or beneath the flooring, it never totally evaporates. The stagnant water will signal its presence with a strong, unpleasant odor.

Homeowners who have discovered a plumbing leak and bathroom water damage should reach out to Arizona Restoration Specialists. The property damage restoration company has served Mesa, AZ, and the Phoenix Valley area since 1999 with a menu of services including all facets of water damage and related problems such as mold removal and remediation, sewage cleanup, and repair/reconstruction. With crews on call around the clock, 365 days a year, they can respond on scene to any water damage issue within an hour. Every aspect of their work is fully guaranteed. Customers experience the best service in the restoration industry.

When it comes to water damage, act fast. Do not wait since the problem will only get worse over time. To learn more about water damage restoration in Phoenix, AZ , contact the office by phone at (602) 207-8529.

source http://www.arizonarestorationspecialists.com/how-a-mold-infestation-can-grow-after-fire-damage-to-a-home-or-business

How Mold Growth Can Cause Secondary Damage After a Housefire

 Arizona Restoration Specialists has served Mesa, AZ, and the Phoenix Valley area for more than twenty years with premier fire, water, and mold damage restoration services. With crews on call around the clock, 365 days a year, they can respond on the scene of any water damage problem in Phoenix within an hour. Their stable of services includes all aspects of water damage and related issues such as mold removal and remediation, sewage cleanup, and repair/reconstruction. All work is completely guaranteed. Clients will experience the finest customer service in the restoration industry. When it comes to fire and water damage, fast action is crucial since the problem will only worsen over time and may lead to mold infestation.

Staggering Statistics

According to the National Fire Protection Association, residential house fires accounted for more than one-fourth of all reported fires from 2014-2018. Fire departments responded to more than 353,000 fires each year during this period. The most common causes of residential fires include cooking, heating, electrical and lighting, arson, and smoking. Cooking fires are the most common cause of residential fires.

Most homeowners anticipate the possibility of a mold infestation in conjunction with water damage. However, many homeowners neglect to consider the high probability of mold damage after a house fire. This oversight could result in a serious mold infestation in the home.

How Mold Growth Can Occur After Fire Damage

In many instances, fire damage includes extensive water damage. When a house fire requires the services of the local fire department to extinguish the fire, hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water can be applied to the structure in a matter of minutes. The combination of fire and water can lead to mold infestation if the water is not immediately removed and the drying process implemented.

Why Mold Growth Accelerates After a House Fire

Fire-damaged homes are very susceptible to mold infestation. The fire department can pump thousands of gallons of water into a structure in minutes. Steam and fire extinguisher foam are also sources of moisture in a residential fire. After a house fire, conditions are perfect for mold growth, which can begin in as little as one or two days.

Industry experts explain: “Fires do create a secondary mold risk at a property. Extinguishing a fire, presuming it was extinguished with water, dumps a lot of water into and through the structure. That process, when the fire is in the upper part of the structure, in particular, sends a lot of water through lower ceilings and walls. Unless all of those areas are opened, gutted, dried, a future mold problem in those areas is a high risk.”

A One-Two Punch to Kill Mold: Dry and Disinfect the Affected Area

Drying a water-damaged area is insufficient to prevent mold growth in the future. Drying and dehumidifying the affected area will halt mold growth, but the drying process does not kill the existing mold. Mold can remain dormant in drywall, carpeting, and other porous materials for years.

The mold can reactivate and thrive when just a small amount of moisture or water is re-introduced to the spore-infested materials. A minor leak from an appliance, a leak between walls, or a recurring spill or leak on the carpet will reinvigorate the dormant mold. Once hydrated and activated, the mold may spread silently through the home undetected for months or years. Killing the mold during the fire and water damage restoration process is of utmost importance to prevent future mold outbreaks.

Fire and Water Restoration: Best if Left to the Pros!

Homeowners who attempt a DIY damage restoration project face two risks:

• Working too slowly to dry and disinfect the damaged area before mold begins to take hold
• Overlooking hidden or hard-to-reach areas with drying and disinfecting

Property damage restoration companies like Arizona Restoration Specialists are highly trained in safe mold cleanup techniques. The professionals have the industrial-strength, commercial-grade equipment to perform the water removal, drying, and dehumidifying extremely fast so the mold cannot begin its explosive growth. The expert cleaning technicians have access to the best and safest disinfectants that are friendly to the environment, furniture, humans, and pets. The restoration specialists have the skills and experience to know where to find hidden mold and moisture.

Arizona Restoration Specialists has served Mesa, AZ, and the Phoenix Valley area since 1999 with a menu of services including all facets of fire and water damage and related problems such as mold removal and remediation. With crews on call around the clock, 365 days a year, they can respond on scene to any water damage issue within an hour. Every aspect of their work is fully guaranteed. Customers experience the best service in the restoration industry.

When it comes to fire and water damage, act fast. Do not wait since the problem will only get worse over time. To learn more about mold removal in Mesa, AZ, call Arizona Restoration Specialists by phone at 602-497-4673.