Mold spores germinate when they have access to water, much like seeds sprouting when watered.
Mold spores, analogous to tiny seeds, require moisture to initiate the germination process, which typically occurs within the first two days of water damage. According to provided information from 26-Oct-2021, "If you give them water, they'll sprout into seedlings". This is the fundamental trigger for mold spore germination.