If you need water damage help today, contact All Pro Services and start the cleanup now. The fastest path is simple. Visit Website, call the emergency line, and request immediate dispatch. They handle assessment, water removal, drying, and repairs. They work with insurance and, in many cases, can arrive within hours in and around Salt Lake City. That is the short answer. The longer story matters too, because speed, steps, and small choices decide how much gets saved and how much gets ripped out.
Why speed matters more than it seems
Water does not sit still. It spreads sideways through flooring, wicks up walls, and seeps into baseboards. The first day sets the tone for the whole project. Wait two or three days, and you might double the work. I have seen carpet that looked fine on day one turn musty by day three. A wet wall that felt cool at lunch looks swollen by dinner.
Dry within 24 to 48 hours to reduce the chance of mold and bigger repairs.
There is a simple rule I keep in mind. Faster extraction means shorter drying time. Shorter drying time means lower cost and fewer materials to replace. That is why a pro crew with truck-mounted pumps and high-capacity dehumidifiers usually beats a DIY shop vac approach.
The 48-hour window for mold
Mold loves moisture and time. You can control moisture. You cannot control time. If materials like drywall, carpet pad, or soft wood stay wet for two days, mold often starts. You may not see it right away. You might smell it before you see it. That is one reason certified techs measure moisture inside materials, not just on the surface.
Smell musty air or see spots on baseboards, backs of furniture, or behind pictures, and act now. Waiting does not make mold cheaper to treat.
What All Pro Services does from the first call to the final walk-through
Let me walk through the typical process so you know what to expect. Not every job follows this exact path. Some are faster. Some need extra steps. But this outline should help you plan.
Step 1: Dispatch and arrival
You call, share what happened, and get placed on the schedule. For large events, you might get a time window. On arrival, the crew will walk the property with you, look for the source, and map the wet areas. They use moisture meters, thermal cameras, and sometimes small probes. It feels a bit technical, but the goal is practical. Find all the water, not just the obvious puddles.
Step 2: Stop the source and make the area safe
They shut off water lines if a pipe broke. They turn off breakers if water reached outlets. If a ceiling is sagging, they may secure the area. Safety comes first because you cannot dry a room that is still getting wet.
Step 3: Water removal
Standing water goes out fast using pumps and high-power extractors. This is where pro equipment shines. A slow vacuum can take hours and leaves more moisture inside carpet pad. A pro extractor works in minutes and pulls water from deeper layers.
Step 4: Controlled demolition, only when needed
If water soaked the bottom of drywall, they might remove a small strip at the base to let air move inside the wall. Not every job needs demo. Clean water caught quickly often dries with fans and dehumidifiers alone. Sewer water or water sitting for days usually needs more removal for health reasons.
Step 5: Drying and dehumidification
Air movers push dry air across wet surfaces. Dehumidifiers pull water from the air. Together, they reduce the moisture in the room and in the materials. Techs place equipment by measurement, not guesswork. They return each day to monitor and adjust. It feels a bit noisy, I will admit. But it is temporary and it is doing real work every hour.
Step 6: Cleaning and antimicrobial steps
Hard surfaces get cleaned. Areas at risk for growth get treated with products that help keep mold from taking hold. Items get removed to a dry area or packed out if needed.
Step 7: Repairs and rebuild
After drying, the team replaces drywall, baseboards, flooring, or cabinets that were removed. Some projects are small and finish in a few days. Others need a full rebuild plan. Clear communication helps here. I like to see a written scope with line items. It avoids surprises.
Typical timeline at a glance
| Phase | What happens | Usual time |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency response | Assessment, stop source, safety prep | 1 to 3 hours |
| Water removal | Pumping and extraction | 1 to 6 hours |
| Drying setup | Air movers and dehumidifiers placed | 1 to 2 hours |
| Active drying | Daily checks and equipment tuning | 2 to 5 days |
| Repairs | Drywall, paint, flooring, finish | 2 days to several weeks, project dependent |
What you should do before the crew arrives
You can make a big difference in the first hour. Do not put yourself at risk. Keep it simple and safe.
- If safe, turn off the water supply and electricity to affected areas.
- Move small items, rugs, and electronics to a dry room.
- Blot and lift curtains, bed skirts, and fabric off the floor.
- Open doors and closets to help air move.
- Take photos and short videos for your claim file. Shoot wide and close-up.
Do not use a household vacuum for water. It can shock or break. Let the pros extract.
- Avoid walking on wet carpet more than needed. Foot traffic pushes water deeper.
- Do not remove glued-down flooring without guidance. It may release asbestos in older homes.
- Keep kids and pets away from wet rooms and equipment.
Costs and insurance, explained plainly
People ask me what a water damage job costs. The real answer varies. It depends on the size of the area, how long it was wet, the type of water, and what needs repair. I know that sounds vague, so here are ranges that I have seen in Salt Lake City and nearby areas.
- Emergency service call: Often included with extraction, or a few hundred dollars.
- Extraction: About 1 to 4 dollars per square foot, based on volume and pad type.
- Structural drying equipment: Often 30 to 100 dollars per unit per day, depending on size.
- Mold remediation after a wet week or sewer water: Can add 1,000 to 5,000 or more.
- Repairs and rebuild: Minor drywall and baseboards can be under 1,000. Full flooring replacement, cabinets, or custom finishes can run much higher.
A small clean water leak in a bedroom might total under 2,000. A finished basement with standing water could be 5,000 to 15,000 with repairs. Category 3 water from a sewage backup costs more because it needs more removal and a deeper clean.
Insurance often covers sudden water damage, like a burst pipe, an appliance failure, or a roof leak from a storm. Groundwater flooding from outside is often not covered unless you have a flood policy. Read your policy. And ask direct questions. I know policy language can feel dense. It is fine to say, “Can you confirm if this source and these rooms are covered?”
Document everything. Save receipts, take daily photos, and note conversations with dates and names. Claims move faster when you keep a simple paper trail.
What makes water damage in Salt Lake City a bit different
Climate and construction style change the playbook a little here.
- Snowmelt and freeze-thaw cycles can create ice dams. Water sneaks under shingles and drips into walls and ceilings.
- Cold snaps burst supply lines in garages, crawlspaces, and basements. Uninsulated hose bibs are common trouble spots.
- Late summer storms can push water into window wells and basements. Poor grading makes it worse.
- Many homes have finished basements. That means carpet, pad, and drywall that soak fast and hold moisture.
Teams familiar with the area get this. They check window wells, sump pumps, and weep holes. They watch for ice dam staining on exterior walls. Little details save time.
DIY vs calling a pro, side by side
| Approach | Good for | Risks | When to upgrade |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY with towels, fans, shop vac | Small spills on tile or a tiny area of clean water caught within hours | Hidden moisture in pad, walls, and subfloor, missed areas, slow drying | If carpet pad is wet, if water touched walls, or if the room smells musty |
| Professional extraction and drying | Any standing water, soaked pad, multi-room events, or contamination | Cost if uninsured, a few days of noise and equipment on site | If structural materials are wet, if you see stains on drywall, or if the source was unknown for hours |
Questions to ask before you hire
You do not need a long checklist. A few direct questions tell you a lot.
- How fast can you arrive at my address?
- Are your techs certified for water damage work and mold handling?
- Do you work with my insurance carrier, and can you help me with documentation?
- What is your process if moisture readings stay high on day two?
- Can you handle repairs after drying, or do you refer that out?
All Pro Services handles water damage from start to finish. If you need one team to manage both drying and rebuild, say that up front. It speeds up scheduling.
Common mistakes after a leak or flood
- Waiting to call for help while shopping for quotes. Water spreads while you compare. Get the water out now, compare repair bids later.
- Turning up the heat and closing the room. That traps humid air and slows drying.
- Running fans without dehumidifiers. You move wet air around but do not remove moisture.
- Painting over stained drywall. Stains often bleed through, and wet drywall can grow mold behind the paint.
- Assuming hardwood is ruined. Not always. With fast action, many wood floors can be saved.
If a ceiling is sagging, stay out. Wet drywall can let go without warning.
What to expect during the first week
I like clear daily expectations. It helps you plan work, sleep, and noise around your life.
- Day 1: Assessment, extraction, equipment placed. You get a scope and photos.
- Day 2: Moisture readings. Equipment adjusted. If walls are still very wet, minor demo may be added.
- Day 3: More readings. Many rooms will be trending dry. Smell usually improves here.
- Day 4 to 5: Final drying. Equipment removed when targets are reached.
- Day 6+: Repairs start if needed. Schedule depends on materials and your calendar.
Mold questions, answered simply
People worry about mold, and I think that is fair. Still, not every spot means a crisis. Approach it with calm and speed.
- Time and moisture decide growth. Dry quick and you cut the risk.
- Bleach on porous materials is not a fix. It only treats the surface. Drying and removal of damaged material works better.
- Sampling is sometimes useful, but a visible growth area can be handled without waiting for lab work. Contain, remove, clean, and dry.
- Bathrooms and basements are common spots. Look behind baseboards and under stairs if you had a prior leak.
A simple view of drying science
Drying is not magic. Warm air holds more moisture than cold air. Moving air across a wet surface helps water move into the air. Then a dehumidifier pulls that water out. Repeat that cycle until the material reaches a normal reading for your area.
Two points matter most:
- Airflow touches every wet surface. Corners and cavities need attention.
- Humidity stays low. If the room air stays wet, materials cannot release moisture.
Techs measure moisture in wood studs, drywall, and content items. They also look at room humidity. Numbers guide where to add fans, where to open walls, and when to stop.
How All Pro Services supports the insurance process
Paperwork often slows people down more than the water itself. A good team collects photos, moisture logs, and itemized invoices as they go. This file helps your adjuster approve the scope with fewer follow-up calls.
- Scope with line items for extraction, equipment, and demo if needed.
- Daily moisture logs with readings by room and material.
- Before and after photos for each area.
- Contents inventory if items are packed out.
Ask for copies for your records. Keep them in a simple folder. I am a fan of one email thread with dates and attachments. Adjusters like clarity.
Practical prevention tips once you are dry
Stopping the next leak is not always hard. A few small upgrades go a long way.
- Replace old supply lines on washers and toilets with braided lines.
- Insulate pipes in garages and crawl spaces.
- Add water sensors near water heaters, under sinks, and by the washer.
- Clean gutters and check downspouts move water away from the foundation.
- Test your sump pump. Add a battery backup if your area loses power in storms.
A quick scenario from a real week
Last winter I went to a home in Millcreek that had a split in a washing machine hose. The owner was at work for eight hours. The water ran down into the finished basement. On the phone he sounded calm, but I could tell he felt stuck. The team arrived, shut off the supply, and pulled gallons from the pad. They saved the carpet, which surprised the owner. The drywall at the base was swollen, so they cut a small 2-inch strip along one wall to let the studs dry. Fans ran for four days. The smell cleared on day three. Repairs took another week, mostly baseboards and paint. Insurance covered it. Not every case is that neat, but it reminded me how much a fast start can change the outcome.
What sets All Pro Services apart, from a customer view
I look for three things when I recommend a team. Speed, clarity, and follow-through.
- Speed: 24-hour response and real communication on arrival windows.
- Clarity: Written scope, photos, and daily updates. No vague notes.
- Follow-through: One team that can dry and rebuild. That saves handoffs.
All Pro Water Damage and All Pro Restoration services check those boxes in this market. If you want to get your home back faster, that combination matters. Some companies only do the dry-out. Some only do rebuilds. A single crew reduces delays between phases.
What to do if you are not sure it is an emergency
Maybe you found a small stain on a ceiling. Or a soft spot in the baseboard behind a plant. Not every situation needs lights-and-sirens speed. But waiting can turn small into big. Here is a simple way to decide.
- If you can press a tissue against the area and it comes away damp, call.
- If the stain grows over a day, call.
- If the source is unknown, do a moisture check. A pro can do this quickly.
- If the area smells musty after airing out, that is a sign of moisture trapped inside.
I have changed my mind mid-call before. I thought a case sounded minor, then I heard that the area sits under a bathroom. In those cases, I say get it checked. A quick visit beats a hidden leak.
What you can expect during a site visit
No one loves having crews in their home. I get it. A good visit feels orderly.
- Wear boot covers and protect floors.
- Walk-through with you and clear notes on what they plan to do.
- Explain where they will vent or place equipment.
- Ask about pets, sleep schedules, and access times. It is your home, and small courtesies help.
If something feels off, say so. Good teams adjust. If a fan near a crib is too loud at night, for example, they may set a different layout that still hits target readings.
How to prepare for repairs
Repairs are a project of their own. A little prep keeps things moving.
- Pick paint colors early so the crew does not wait on decisions.
- Ask for a simple schedule with order of work and who will be on site each day.
- Confirm material lead times. Special order flooring can add days.
- Walk the finished areas with the crew lead and make a short punch list before final payment.
I have had projects stall because a faucet finish was backordered. Small details can hold big work. Choose in-stock when time matters.
When a second opinion helps
Sometimes you feel like you need another set of eyes. That is fine. Ask for a copy of moisture logs and the scope, then get a second opinion. If the second team suggests the same plan, great. If they suggest something very different, ask them to explain why. A clear why beats vague claims every time.
How to talk with your adjuster without friction
You and your adjuster share a goal. Get the home back to pre-loss condition with fair cost and clear proof. To keep calls short and helpful, try this flow.
- Open with a summary: “A hose burst on Monday, water affected basement bedroom and hallway, extraction done that day.”
- Share the scope: Send the PDF or photos before the call.
- Ask for next steps: “What else do you need from me to move this forward?”
- Confirm timelines for approvals and any depreciation rules for finishes.
If you disagree on a line item, ask for the policy reference that guides that decision. This keeps the talk on facts, not feelings. I know that sounds blunt, but it helps.
Signs the job is truly dry
Feeling cool to the touch is not enough. Dry means the inside of materials is at or near normal for your area. Techs hit three checks before removing equipment.
- Moisture meter readings at or below target for studs, drywall, and flooring.
- Stable room humidity and temperature over two checks in a row.
- No visible or infrared cold spots that suggest wet areas.
Ask for the final readings. Keep them with your file. If any new stain shows up later, you will have a baseline to compare.
What happens if you delay by a week
I do not say this to scare you. It is just the pattern I have seen.
- Clean water becomes a hygiene risk as it sits. Dust and surfaces add microbes.
- Drywall sags and loses strength. Small cuts turn into full panel replacement.
- Carpet pad compresses and holds odor. Salvage chance drops.
- Mold growth can start on the back side of walls where you cannot see it.
Fast action is not hype. It is physics and biology. If you are reading this with wet floors right now, call for help and get water moving out today.
How to contact All Pro Services now
If you are ready to book a visit or want a quick assessment call, open this link and start the process: Visit Website. Share your address, the source if you know it, how long the water has been present, and any concerns like electrical or sewer. Ask for an arrival window you can plan around.
A short checklist you can screenshot
- Stop the source, if safe.
- Kill power to wet rooms, if safe.
- Move small items to a dry area.
- Take photos and a quick video walkthrough.
- Call All Pro Services and request emergency water removal.
- Ask for a written scope and daily updates.
- Keep a folder for receipts and logs.
Q and A
Q: Can I wait until morning if the leak happened late at night?
A: If water is still moving or you have standing water, I would not wait. Extraction at night prevents extra damage by morning. If the source is fully stopped and the area is small and on tile, you might stabilize it with towels and fans for a few hours, but call now to get on the schedule.
Q: Will my carpet be saved?
A: Often, yes. If the water was clean and you caught it within hours, extraction and drying can save carpet and pad. If water sat for days or was from a sewer backup, replacement is more likely. The decision is based on contamination level and moisture readings, not guesswork.
Q: How loud is the equipment?
A: Air movers and dehumidifiers make steady noise, similar to a strong box fan or a small window AC. Most people can sleep in a different room. The crew can adjust placement to help.
Q: Do I have to leave my home during drying?
A: Not usually. If only a few rooms are affected, you can stay. If there is heavy demo, strong odors from contamination, or if the kitchen and bedrooms are down at the same time, a short stay elsewhere may be smarter.
Q: What if I rent?
A: Tell your landlord right away and document everything. They handle repairs, but your personal items are your responsibility. Consider renter insurance for future events. The crew can still extract and dry with access approval.
Q: How do I start right now?
A: Open this link and reach the team: Visit Website. Share the basics, request emergency water removal, and ask for the next open arrival window. Acting today can cut days off the full recovery time.