How long do I have before mould starts?
If wet materials are dried within 24 to 48 hours of the leak, EPA guidance says mold will not grow in most cases, so speed matters more than anything else once the water is stopped.
Water coming through the ceiling
Tom Hanks, owner, 24/7 Express Handyman Service · Updated September 2026
24/7 Express Handyman Service answers ceiling-leak calls in Salt Lake, Park City and Heber. Within 24 to 48 hours of a material getting wet, mold can begin to grow, according to EPA guidance on cleaning up water damage in a home. (A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home — US EPA)
Do this now
- Shut the main water valve; if the leak stops within a minute it is supply, if it keeps coming it is roof, drain or an appliance above.
- Put a bucket under the drip and, if the ceiling is bulging, pierce the low point with a screwdriver to let it drain in one place.
- Move furniture and electronics out from under it and photograph the ceiling before anything else changes.
When to stop and call
If water is still coming after the main valve is off, if the ceiling is bulging, or if a light fixture is wet, stop and call. 24/7 Express Handyman Service isolates the source, contains the water and makes the ceiling safe within the drying window.
Call now
Answered 24/7 by Tom or his dispatcher.
24/7 Express Handyman Service confirms the address, the zone rate and the dispatch fee before rolling.
What 24/7 Express Handyman Service does on site
- Isolate the source, contain the water, extract and dry.
- Make safe: open or remove the saturated ceiling section so it cannot fall.
- Tarp or board an opening if the source is the roof.
What the licensed partner does
- A licensed plumber repairs a failed supply or drain line; a roofer repairs the roof after the emergency tarp.
What to have ready when you call
- Which room is above the leak
- Whether the water is on or off now
- Whether it has rained or snowed in the last day
- The address and access details
What happens next
- The dispatcher confirms the address, the zone rate and the dispatch fee, then Tom rolls.
- On arrival Tom finds the source, stops it, and dries the area before mould can start.
- Photograph the damage before anything is moved and keep every receipt; 24/7 Express Handyman Service provides an itemised invoice your insurer may ask for. The dispatch fee and job cost are paid by you on the day.
Questions people ask
Sources
- A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home — US EPA — retrieved 2026-09-19