This picture shows how mold can spread from a water issue initially only affecting the carpet and flooring. The house, in Fountain Hills, AZ, was vacant for 3 months because the owner lived up north for the summer. Mold usually starts to grow within 48 to 72 hours from initial water damage, then spreads like wildfire. The cost to remediate the mold and restore the structure was significantly affected by the amount of time the mold had to grow. If you have a property in a location that you do not live in, it is a good idea to have someone check in on the property regularly to make sure these types of issues don't happen.