Will mould grow after water damage?
Moulds reproduce by means of tiny spores which are invisible to the naked eye. These spores are present in the indoor air and can grow only on surfaces that are wet. Growth rate depends on the substrate affected, temperature, organic compounds and contaminants present etc.
Mould can grow immediately in certain cases but usually will take around 24-48 hours to start growing, hence it is best to deal quickly with water damage to mitigate any further damage from mould.