Free flood tool

Flood or pipe burst? Start your mold clock now.

Tell us when the water hit. We show you the 24 to 48 hour window live and give you the exact steps for the stage you are in right now. Free, no signup.

Live countdown Stage-aware checklist Free PDF export

When did the water event happen?

Date and time the water hit (your best guess is fine)

Tap the calendar or one of the quick presets below. If the flood is happening now, tap "Set to now".

Waiting for input

Hours since water event

Pick a date and time above to start the clock.

Heads up: This tool is a rough guide based on the standard 24 to 48 hour mold growth rule (CDC, EPA, IICRC S500). Real growth depends on temperature, material, and contamination. If the water was sewage or your home was underwater for more than 24 hours, stop DIY and call a licensed remediator today.

The 24 to 48 hour mold rule, explained+

Why 24 to 48 hours matters. Wet porous material (drywall, carpet pad, insulation, wood) plus room-temperature air is all mold spores need to colonize. Spores are already in every room. Give them water and time and they grow.

The clock is not a guarantee. Warm humid air speeds things up. Cold dry conditions slow things down. Sewage water has its own pathogens on top of mold risk.

What changes at 48 hours. Below 48 hours, most porous materials can dry and be saved if you extract water aggressively. Past 48 hours, drywall below the water line, carpet pad, and wet insulation are usually cut out and replaced, not dried.

FAQ

How fast does mold grow after a flood?

Mold can begin colonizing wet porous material within 24 hours and is visible to the eye at 48 to 72 hours. The warmer and more humid the air, the faster it grows. The clock starts the moment the material got wet, not the moment you noticed.

My basement flooded 3 days ago. Is it too late?

Not too late to act, but DIY is likely off the table. Past 48 to 72 hours, wet porous materials (drywall, carpet pad, insulation) are usually demoed out rather than dried. Call a licensed remediator for a scope. Document every room with photos and video first for insurance.

Can I dry a wet carpet myself?

Hard-surface floors yes. Carpet with a wet pad no. The pad holds water against the subfloor and the glue, and both grow mold within days. Pull the pad, dry the floor, replace the pad. The carpet itself can often be cleaned and reused if you act within 24 hours.

Do I need a dehumidifier or just fans?

Both. Fans move air across wet surfaces to speed evaporation. A dehumidifier pulls the water out of the air so it does not re-settle onto something else. A flooded room needs commercial-grade air movers plus a large dehumidifier. Rental from a home improvement store runs $30 to $60 per day.

When should I call a remediator instead of doing it myself?

Sewage water: always call. Water over 100 square feet: call. Water that reached electrical outlets: call. Building was underwater overnight: call. You see or smell mold already: call. Anyone in the home is immunocompromised: call. If any of those hit, a licensed remediator and your insurance adjuster should be the first two calls.