diff --git a/src/api/client_server/membership.rs b/src/api/client_server/membership.rs
index e1542060..4c005cf2 100644
--- a/src/api/client_server/membership.rs
+++ b/src/api/client_server/membership.rs
@@ -208,18 +208,22 @@ pub async fn kick_user_route(
     );
     let state_lock = mutex_state.lock().await;
 
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
-            content: to_raw_value(&event).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some(body.user_id.to_string()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &body.room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
+                content: to_raw_value(&event).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some(body.user_id.to_string()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &body.room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     drop(state_lock);
 
@@ -272,18 +276,22 @@ pub async fn ban_user_route(body: Ruma<ban_user::v3::Request>) -> Result<ban_use
     );
     let state_lock = mutex_state.lock().await;
 
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
-            content: to_raw_value(&event).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some(body.user_id.to_string()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &body.room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
+                content: to_raw_value(&event).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some(body.user_id.to_string()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &body.room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     drop(state_lock);
 
@@ -330,18 +338,22 @@ pub async fn unban_user_route(
     );
     let state_lock = mutex_state.lock().await;
 
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
-            content: to_raw_value(&event).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some(body.user_id.to_string()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &body.room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
+                content: to_raw_value(&event).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some(body.user_id.to_string()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &body.room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     drop(state_lock);
 
@@ -770,12 +782,16 @@ async fn join_room_by_id_helper(
         let statehash_after_join = services().rooms.state.append_to_state(&parsed_join_pdu)?;
 
         info!("Appending new room join event");
-        services().rooms.timeline.append_pdu(
-            &parsed_join_pdu,
-            join_event,
-            vec![(*parsed_join_pdu.event_id).to_owned()],
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .append_pdu(
+                &parsed_join_pdu,
+                join_event,
+                vec![(*parsed_join_pdu.event_id).to_owned()],
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         info!("Setting final room state for new room");
         // We set the room state after inserting the pdu, so that we never have a moment in time
@@ -888,18 +904,23 @@ async fn join_room_by_id_helper(
         };
 
         // Try normal join first
-        let error = match services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
-                content: to_raw_value(&event).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some(sender_user.to_string()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            sender_user,
-            room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        ) {
+        let error = match services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&event).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some(sender_user.to_string()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                sender_user,
+                room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await
+        {
             Ok(_event_id) => return Ok(join_room_by_id::v3::Response::new(room_id.to_owned())),
             Err(e) => e,
         };
@@ -1315,28 +1336,32 @@ pub(crate) async fn invite_helper<'a>(
     );
     let state_lock = mutex_state.lock().await;
 
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
-            content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
-                membership: MembershipState::Invite,
-                displayname: services().users.displayname(user_id)?,
-                avatar_url: services().users.avatar_url(user_id)?,
-                is_direct: Some(is_direct),
-                third_party_invite: None,
-                blurhash: services().users.blurhash(user_id)?,
-                reason,
-                join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
-            })
-            .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some(user_id.to_string()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
+                content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
+                    membership: MembershipState::Invite,
+                    displayname: services().users.displayname(user_id)?,
+                    avatar_url: services().users.avatar_url(user_id)?,
+                    is_direct: Some(is_direct),
+                    third_party_invite: None,
+                    blurhash: services().users.blurhash(user_id)?,
+                    reason,
+                    join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
+                })
+                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some(user_id.to_string()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     drop(state_lock);
 
@@ -1390,14 +1415,18 @@ pub async fn leave_room(user_id: &UserId, room_id: &RoomId, reason: Option<Strin
             )?;
 
         // We always drop the invite, we can't rely on other servers
-        services().rooms.state_cache.update_membership(
-            room_id,
-            user_id,
-            MembershipState::Leave,
-            user_id,
-            last_state,
-            true,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .state_cache
+            .update_membership(
+                room_id,
+                user_id,
+                MembershipState::Leave,
+                user_id,
+                last_state,
+                true,
+            )
+            .await?;
     } else {
         let mutex_state = Arc::clone(
             services()
@@ -1421,14 +1450,18 @@ pub async fn leave_room(user_id: &UserId, room_id: &RoomId, reason: Option<Strin
             None => {
                 error!("Trying to leave a room you are not a member of.");
 
-                services().rooms.state_cache.update_membership(
-                    room_id,
-                    user_id,
-                    MembershipState::Leave,
-                    user_id,
-                    None,
-                    true,
-                )?;
+                services()
+                    .rooms
+                    .state_cache
+                    .update_membership(
+                        room_id,
+                        user_id,
+                        MembershipState::Leave,
+                        user_id,
+                        None,
+                        true,
+                    )
+                    .await?;
                 return Ok(());
             }
             Some(e) => e,
@@ -1440,18 +1473,22 @@ pub async fn leave_room(user_id: &UserId, room_id: &RoomId, reason: Option<Strin
         event.membership = MembershipState::Leave;
         event.reason = reason;
 
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
-                content: to_raw_value(&event).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some(user_id.to_string()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            user_id,
-            room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&event).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some(user_id.to_string()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                user_id,
+                room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
     }
 
     Ok(())
diff --git a/src/api/client_server/message.rs b/src/api/client_server/message.rs
index 750e0303..efbf2c44 100644
--- a/src/api/client_server/message.rs
+++ b/src/api/client_server/message.rs
@@ -73,19 +73,23 @@ pub async fn send_message_event_route(
     let mut unsigned = BTreeMap::new();
     unsigned.insert("transaction_id".to_owned(), body.txn_id.to_string().into());
 
-    let event_id = services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: body.event_type.to_string().into(),
-            content: serde_json::from_str(body.body.body.json().get())
-                .map_err(|_| Error::BadRequest(ErrorKind::BadJson, "Invalid JSON body."))?,
-            unsigned: Some(unsigned),
-            state_key: None,
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &body.room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    let event_id = services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: body.event_type.to_string().into(),
+                content: serde_json::from_str(body.body.body.json().get())
+                    .map_err(|_| Error::BadRequest(ErrorKind::BadJson, "Invalid JSON body."))?,
+                unsigned: Some(unsigned),
+                state_key: None,
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &body.room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     services().transaction_ids.add_txnid(
         sender_user,
diff --git a/src/api/client_server/redact.rs b/src/api/client_server/redact.rs
index 21da2221..a438d248 100644
--- a/src/api/client_server/redact.rs
+++ b/src/api/client_server/redact.rs
@@ -30,22 +30,26 @@ pub async fn redact_event_route(
     );
     let state_lock = mutex_state.lock().await;
 
-    let event_id = services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomRedaction,
-            content: to_raw_value(&RoomRedactionEventContent {
-                redacts: Some(body.event_id.clone()),
-                reason: body.reason.clone(),
-            })
-            .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: None,
-            redacts: Some(body.event_id.into()),
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &body.room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    let event_id = services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomRedaction,
+                content: to_raw_value(&RoomRedactionEventContent {
+                    redacts: Some(body.event_id.clone()),
+                    reason: body.reason.clone(),
+                })
+                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: None,
+                redacts: Some(body.event_id.into()),
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &body.room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     drop(state_lock);
 
diff --git a/src/api/client_server/room.rs b/src/api/client_server/room.rs
index 20409a28..896eba62 100644
--- a/src/api/client_server/room.rs
+++ b/src/api/client_server/room.rs
@@ -174,42 +174,50 @@ pub async fn create_room_route(
     }
 
     // 1. The room create event
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomCreate,
-            content: to_raw_value(&content).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomCreate,
+                content: to_raw_value(&content).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     // 2. Let the room creator join
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
-            content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
-                membership: MembershipState::Join,
-                displayname: services().users.displayname(sender_user)?,
-                avatar_url: services().users.avatar_url(sender_user)?,
-                is_direct: Some(body.is_direct),
-                third_party_invite: None,
-                blurhash: services().users.blurhash(sender_user)?,
-                reason: None,
-                join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
-            })
-            .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some(sender_user.to_string()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
+                content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
+                    membership: MembershipState::Join,
+                    displayname: services().users.displayname(sender_user)?,
+                    avatar_url: services().users.avatar_url(sender_user)?,
+                    is_direct: Some(body.is_direct),
+                    third_party_invite: None,
+                    blurhash: services().users.blurhash(sender_user)?,
+                    reason: None,
+                    join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
+                })
+                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some(sender_user.to_string()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     // 3. Power levels
 
@@ -246,30 +254,14 @@ pub async fn create_room_route(
         }
     }
 
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomPowerLevels,
-            content: to_raw_value(&power_levels_content)
-                .expect("to_raw_value always works on serde_json::Value"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
-
-    // 4. Canonical room alias
-    if let Some(room_alias_id) = &alias {
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
             PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomCanonicalAlias,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomCanonicalAliasEventContent {
-                    alias: Some(room_alias_id.to_owned()),
-                    alt_aliases: vec![],
-                })
-                .expect("We checked that alias earlier, it must be fine"),
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomPowerLevels,
+                content: to_raw_value(&power_levels_content)
+                    .expect("to_raw_value always works on serde_json::Value"),
                 unsigned: None,
                 state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
                 redacts: None,
@@ -277,64 +269,100 @@ pub async fn create_room_route(
             sender_user,
             &room_id,
             &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        )
+        .await?;
+
+    // 4. Canonical room alias
+    if let Some(room_alias_id) = &alias {
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomCanonicalAlias,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomCanonicalAliasEventContent {
+                        alias: Some(room_alias_id.to_owned()),
+                        alt_aliases: vec![],
+                    })
+                    .expect("We checked that alias earlier, it must be fine"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                sender_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
     }
 
     // 5. Events set by preset
 
     // 5.1 Join Rules
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomJoinRules,
-            content: to_raw_value(&RoomJoinRulesEventContent::new(match preset {
-                RoomPreset::PublicChat => JoinRule::Public,
-                // according to spec "invite" is the default
-                _ => JoinRule::Invite,
-            }))
-            .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomJoinRules,
+                content: to_raw_value(&RoomJoinRulesEventContent::new(match preset {
+                    RoomPreset::PublicChat => JoinRule::Public,
+                    // according to spec "invite" is the default
+                    _ => JoinRule::Invite,
+                }))
+                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     // 5.2 History Visibility
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomHistoryVisibility,
-            content: to_raw_value(&RoomHistoryVisibilityEventContent::new(
-                HistoryVisibility::Shared,
-            ))
-            .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomHistoryVisibility,
+                content: to_raw_value(&RoomHistoryVisibilityEventContent::new(
+                    HistoryVisibility::Shared,
+                ))
+                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     // 5.3 Guest Access
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomGuestAccess,
-            content: to_raw_value(&RoomGuestAccessEventContent::new(match preset {
-                RoomPreset::PublicChat => GuestAccess::Forbidden,
-                _ => GuestAccess::CanJoin,
-            }))
-            .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomGuestAccess,
+                content: to_raw_value(&RoomGuestAccessEventContent::new(match preset {
+                    RoomPreset::PublicChat => GuestAccess::Forbidden,
+                    _ => GuestAccess::CanJoin,
+                }))
+                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     // 6. Events listed in initial_state
     for event in &body.initial_state {
@@ -353,47 +381,54 @@ pub async fn create_room_route(
             continue;
         }
 
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            pdu_builder,
-            sender_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(pdu_builder, sender_user, &room_id, &state_lock)
+            .await?;
     }
 
     // 7. Events implied by name and topic
     if let Some(name) = &body.name {
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomName,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomNameEventContent::new(name.clone()))
-                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            sender_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomName,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomNameEventContent::new(name.clone()))
+                        .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                sender_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
     }
 
     if let Some(topic) = &body.topic {
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomTopic,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomTopicEventContent {
-                    topic: topic.clone(),
-                })
-                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            sender_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomTopic,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomTopicEventContent {
+                        topic: topic.clone(),
+                    })
+                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                sender_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
     }
 
     // 8. Events implied by invite (and TODO: invite_3pid)
@@ -531,22 +566,26 @@ pub async fn upgrade_room_route(
 
     // Send a m.room.tombstone event to the old room to indicate that it is not intended to be used any further
     // Fail if the sender does not have the required permissions
-    let tombstone_event_id = services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomTombstone,
-            content: to_raw_value(&RoomTombstoneEventContent {
-                body: "This room has been replaced".to_owned(),
-                replacement_room: replacement_room.clone(),
-            })
-            .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &body.room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    let tombstone_event_id = services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomTombstone,
+                content: to_raw_value(&RoomTombstoneEventContent {
+                    body: "This room has been replaced".to_owned(),
+                    replacement_room: replacement_room.clone(),
+                })
+                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &body.room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     // Change lock to replacement room
     drop(state_lock);
@@ -613,43 +652,51 @@ pub async fn upgrade_room_route(
         ));
     }
 
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomCreate,
-            content: to_raw_value(&create_event_content)
-                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &replacement_room,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomCreate,
+                content: to_raw_value(&create_event_content)
+                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &replacement_room,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     // Join the new room
-    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
-            content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
-                membership: MembershipState::Join,
-                displayname: services().users.displayname(sender_user)?,
-                avatar_url: services().users.avatar_url(sender_user)?,
-                is_direct: None,
-                third_party_invite: None,
-                blurhash: services().users.blurhash(sender_user)?,
-                reason: None,
-                join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
-            })
-            .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some(sender_user.to_string()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &replacement_room,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
+                content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
+                    membership: MembershipState::Join,
+                    displayname: services().users.displayname(sender_user)?,
+                    avatar_url: services().users.avatar_url(sender_user)?,
+                    is_direct: None,
+                    third_party_invite: None,
+                    blurhash: services().users.blurhash(sender_user)?,
+                    reason: None,
+                    join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
+                })
+                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some(sender_user.to_string()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &replacement_room,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     // Recommended transferable state events list from the specs
     let transferable_state_events = vec![
@@ -676,18 +723,22 @@ pub async fn upgrade_room_route(
                 None => continue, // Skipping missing events.
             };
 
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: event_type.to_string().into(),
-                content: event_content,
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            sender_user,
-            &replacement_room,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: event_type.to_string().into(),
+                    content: event_content,
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                sender_user,
+                &replacement_room,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
     }
 
     // Moves any local aliases to the new room
@@ -721,19 +772,23 @@ pub async fn upgrade_room_route(
     power_levels_event_content.invite = new_level;
 
     // Modify the power levels in the old room to prevent sending of events and inviting new users
-    let _ = services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomPowerLevels,
-            content: to_raw_value(&power_levels_event_content)
-                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        &body.room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    let _ = services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomPowerLevels,
+                content: to_raw_value(&power_levels_event_content)
+                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            &body.room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     drop(state_lock);
 
diff --git a/src/api/client_server/state.rs b/src/api/client_server/state.rs
index d6d39390..c02082db 100644
--- a/src/api/client_server/state.rs
+++ b/src/api/client_server/state.rs
@@ -233,18 +233,22 @@ async fn send_state_event_for_key_helper(
     );
     let state_lock = mutex_state.lock().await;
 
-    let event_id = services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-        PduBuilder {
-            event_type: event_type.to_string().into(),
-            content: serde_json::from_str(json.json().get()).expect("content is valid json"),
-            unsigned: None,
-            state_key: Some(state_key),
-            redacts: None,
-        },
-        sender_user,
-        room_id,
-        &state_lock,
-    )?;
+    let event_id = services()
+        .rooms
+        .timeline
+        .build_and_append_pdu(
+            PduBuilder {
+                event_type: event_type.to_string().into(),
+                content: serde_json::from_str(json.json().get()).expect("content is valid json"),
+                unsigned: None,
+                state_key: Some(state_key),
+                redacts: None,
+            },
+            sender_user,
+            room_id,
+            &state_lock,
+        )
+        .await?;
 
     Ok(event_id)
 }
diff --git a/src/api/client_server/sync.rs b/src/api/client_server/sync.rs
index 6b25c4c6..10c24f62 100644
--- a/src/api/client_server/sync.rs
+++ b/src/api/client_server/sync.rs
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ async fn sync_helper(
                     .entry(room_id.clone())
                     .or_default(),
             );
-            let insert_lock = mutex_insert.lock().unwrap();
+            let insert_lock = mutex_insert.lock().await;
             drop(insert_lock);
         }
 
@@ -414,7 +414,7 @@ async fn sync_helper(
                     .entry(room_id.clone())
                     .or_default(),
             );
-            let insert_lock = mutex_insert.lock().unwrap();
+            let insert_lock = mutex_insert.lock().await;
             drop(insert_lock);
         }
 
@@ -599,7 +599,7 @@ async fn load_joined_room(
                 .entry(room_id.to_owned())
                 .or_default(),
         );
-        let insert_lock = mutex_insert.lock().unwrap();
+        let insert_lock = mutex_insert.lock().await;
         drop(insert_lock);
     }
 
diff --git a/src/api/server_server.rs b/src/api/server_server.rs
index 357cafad..c4c5db4f 100644
--- a/src/api/server_server.rs
+++ b/src/api/server_server.rs
@@ -1870,14 +1870,18 @@ pub async fn create_invite_route(
         .state_cache
         .server_in_room(services().globals.server_name(), &body.room_id)?
     {
-        services().rooms.state_cache.update_membership(
-            &body.room_id,
-            &invited_user,
-            MembershipState::Invite,
-            &sender,
-            Some(invite_state),
-            true,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .state_cache
+            .update_membership(
+                &body.room_id,
+                &invited_user,
+                MembershipState::Invite,
+                &sender,
+                Some(invite_state),
+                true,
+            )
+            .await?;
     }
 
     Ok(create_invite::v2::Response {
diff --git a/src/service/admin/mod.rs b/src/service/admin/mod.rs
index 2fb1a16b..a727f808 100644
--- a/src/service/admin/mod.rs
+++ b/src/service/admin/mod.rs
@@ -226,26 +226,6 @@ impl Service {
             .expect("Database data for admin room alias must be valid")
             .expect("Admin room must exist");
 
-        let send_message = |message: RoomMessageEventContent, mutex_lock: &MutexGuard<'_, ()>| {
-            services()
-                .rooms
-                .timeline
-                .build_and_append_pdu(
-                    PduBuilder {
-                        event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMessage,
-                        content: to_raw_value(&message)
-                            .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                        unsigned: None,
-                        state_key: None,
-                        redacts: None,
-                    },
-                    &conduit_user,
-                    &conduit_room,
-                    mutex_lock,
-                )
-                .unwrap();
-        };
-
         loop {
             tokio::select! {
                 Some(event) = receiver.recv() => {
@@ -265,7 +245,21 @@ impl Service {
 
                     let state_lock = mutex_state.lock().await;
 
-                    send_message(message_content, &state_lock);
+                    services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
+                        PduBuilder {
+                          event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMessage,
+                          content: to_raw_value(&message_content)
+                              .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                          unsigned: None,
+                          state_key: None,
+                          redacts: None,
+                        },
+                        &conduit_user,
+                        &conduit_room,
+                        &state_lock)
+                      .await
+                      .unwrap();
+
 
                     drop(state_lock);
                 }
@@ -938,164 +932,202 @@ impl Service {
         content.room_version = services().globals.default_room_version();
 
         // 1. The room create event
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomCreate,
-                content: to_raw_value(&content).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            &conduit_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomCreate,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&content).expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                &conduit_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         // 2. Make conduit bot join
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
-                    membership: MembershipState::Join,
-                    displayname: None,
-                    avatar_url: None,
-                    is_direct: None,
-                    third_party_invite: None,
-                    blurhash: None,
-                    reason: None,
-                    join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
-                })
-                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some(conduit_user.to_string()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            &conduit_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
+                        membership: MembershipState::Join,
+                        displayname: None,
+                        avatar_url: None,
+                        is_direct: None,
+                        third_party_invite: None,
+                        blurhash: None,
+                        reason: None,
+                        join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
+                    })
+                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some(conduit_user.to_string()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                &conduit_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         // 3. Power levels
         let mut users = BTreeMap::new();
         users.insert(conduit_user.clone(), 100.into());
 
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomPowerLevels,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomPowerLevelsEventContent {
-                    users,
-                    ..Default::default()
-                })
-                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            &conduit_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomPowerLevels,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomPowerLevelsEventContent {
+                        users,
+                        ..Default::default()
+                    })
+                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                &conduit_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         // 4.1 Join Rules
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomJoinRules,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomJoinRulesEventContent::new(JoinRule::Invite))
-                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            &conduit_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomJoinRules,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomJoinRulesEventContent::new(JoinRule::Invite))
+                        .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                &conduit_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         // 4.2 History Visibility
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomHistoryVisibility,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomHistoryVisibilityEventContent::new(
-                    HistoryVisibility::Shared,
-                ))
-                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            &conduit_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomHistoryVisibility,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomHistoryVisibilityEventContent::new(
+                        HistoryVisibility::Shared,
+                    ))
+                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                &conduit_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         // 4.3 Guest Access
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomGuestAccess,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomGuestAccessEventContent::new(GuestAccess::Forbidden))
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomGuestAccess,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomGuestAccessEventContent::new(
+                        GuestAccess::Forbidden,
+                    ))
                     .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            &conduit_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                &conduit_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         // 5. Events implied by name and topic
         let room_name = format!("{} Admin Room", services().globals.server_name());
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomName,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomNameEventContent::new(room_name))
-                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            &conduit_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomName,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomNameEventContent::new(room_name))
+                        .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                &conduit_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomTopic,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomTopicEventContent {
-                    topic: format!("Manage {}", services().globals.server_name()),
-                })
-                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            &conduit_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomTopic,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomTopicEventContent {
+                        topic: format!("Manage {}", services().globals.server_name()),
+                    })
+                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                &conduit_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         // 6. Room alias
         let alias: OwnedRoomAliasId = format!("#admins:{}", services().globals.server_name())
             .try_into()
             .expect("#admins:server_name is a valid alias name");
 
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomCanonicalAlias,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomCanonicalAliasEventContent {
-                    alias: Some(alias.clone()),
-                    alt_aliases: Vec::new(),
-                })
-                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            &conduit_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomCanonicalAlias,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomCanonicalAliasEventContent {
+                        alias: Some(alias.clone()),
+                        alt_aliases: Vec::new(),
+                    })
+                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                &conduit_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         services().rooms.alias.set_alias(&alias, &room_id)?;
 
@@ -1137,72 +1169,84 @@ impl Service {
                 .expect("@conduit:server_name is valid");
 
         // Invite and join the real user
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
-                    membership: MembershipState::Invite,
-                    displayname: None,
-                    avatar_url: None,
-                    is_direct: None,
-                    third_party_invite: None,
-                    blurhash: None,
-                    reason: None,
-                    join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
-                })
-                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some(user_id.to_string()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            &conduit_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
-                    membership: MembershipState::Join,
-                    displayname: Some(displayname),
-                    avatar_url: None,
-                    is_direct: None,
-                    third_party_invite: None,
-                    blurhash: None,
-                    reason: None,
-                    join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
-                })
-                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some(user_id.to_string()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            user_id,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
+                        membership: MembershipState::Invite,
+                        displayname: None,
+                        avatar_url: None,
+                        is_direct: None,
+                        third_party_invite: None,
+                        blurhash: None,
+                        reason: None,
+                        join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
+                    })
+                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some(user_id.to_string()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                &conduit_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomMember,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomMemberEventContent {
+                        membership: MembershipState::Join,
+                        displayname: Some(displayname),
+                        avatar_url: None,
+                        is_direct: None,
+                        third_party_invite: None,
+                        blurhash: None,
+                        reason: None,
+                        join_authorized_via_users_server: None,
+                    })
+                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some(user_id.to_string()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                user_id,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         // Set power level
         let mut users = BTreeMap::new();
         users.insert(conduit_user.to_owned(), 100.into());
         users.insert(user_id.to_owned(), 100.into());
 
-        services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
-            PduBuilder {
-                event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomPowerLevels,
-                content: to_raw_value(&RoomPowerLevelsEventContent {
-                    users,
-                    ..Default::default()
-                })
-                .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
-                unsigned: None,
-                state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
-                redacts: None,
-            },
-            &conduit_user,
-            &room_id,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .build_and_append_pdu(
+                PduBuilder {
+                    event_type: TimelineEventType::RoomPowerLevels,
+                    content: to_raw_value(&RoomPowerLevelsEventContent {
+                        users,
+                        ..Default::default()
+                    })
+                    .expect("event is valid, we just created it"),
+                    unsigned: None,
+                    state_key: Some("".to_owned()),
+                    redacts: None,
+                },
+                &conduit_user,
+                &room_id,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         // Send welcome message
         services().rooms.timeline.build_and_append_pdu(
@@ -1220,7 +1264,7 @@ impl Service {
             &conduit_user,
             &room_id,
             &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        ).await?;
 
         Ok(())
     }
diff --git a/src/service/globals/mod.rs b/src/service/globals/mod.rs
index 5eb2fa12..cbf85457 100644
--- a/src/service/globals/mod.rs
+++ b/src/service/globals/mod.rs
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ pub struct Service {
     pub bad_query_ratelimiter: Arc<RwLock<HashMap<OwnedServerName, RateLimitState>>>,
     pub servername_ratelimiter: Arc<RwLock<HashMap<OwnedServerName, Arc<Semaphore>>>>,
     pub sync_receivers: RwLock<HashMap<(OwnedUserId, OwnedDeviceId), SyncHandle>>,
-    pub roomid_mutex_insert: RwLock<HashMap<OwnedRoomId, Arc<Mutex<()>>>>,
+    pub roomid_mutex_insert: RwLock<HashMap<OwnedRoomId, Arc<TokioMutex<()>>>>,
     pub roomid_mutex_state: RwLock<HashMap<OwnedRoomId, Arc<TokioMutex<()>>>>,
     pub roomid_mutex_federation: RwLock<HashMap<OwnedRoomId, Arc<TokioMutex<()>>>>, // this lock will be held longer
     pub roomid_federationhandletime: RwLock<HashMap<OwnedRoomId, (OwnedEventId, Instant)>>,
@@ -452,9 +452,6 @@ impl Service {
     /// new SHA256 file name media function, requires "sha256_media" feature flag enabled and database migrated
     /// uses SHA256 hash of the base64 key as the file name
     pub fn get_media_file_new(&self, key: &[u8]) -> PathBuf {
-        if services().globals.database_version().unwrap() < 14 {
-            error!("Using SHA256 key file names requires database to be migrated.")
-        }
         let mut r = PathBuf::new();
         r.push(self.config.database_path.clone());
         r.push("media");
diff --git a/src/service/rooms/event_handler/mod.rs b/src/service/rooms/event_handler/mod.rs
index db7158c4..4be7bf5a 100644
--- a/src/service/rooms/event_handler/mod.rs
+++ b/src/service/rooms/event_handler/mod.rs
@@ -860,14 +860,18 @@ impl Service {
         debug!("Starting soft fail auth check");
 
         if soft_fail {
-            services().rooms.timeline.append_incoming_pdu(
-                &incoming_pdu,
-                val,
-                extremities.iter().map(|e| (**e).to_owned()).collect(),
-                state_ids_compressed,
-                soft_fail,
-                &state_lock,
-            )?;
+            services()
+                .rooms
+                .timeline
+                .append_incoming_pdu(
+                    &incoming_pdu,
+                    val,
+                    extremities.iter().map(|e| (**e).to_owned()).collect(),
+                    state_ids_compressed,
+                    soft_fail,
+                    &state_lock,
+                )
+                .await?;
 
             // Soft fail, we keep the event as an outlier but don't add it to the timeline
             warn!("Event was soft failed: {:?}", incoming_pdu);
@@ -888,14 +892,18 @@ impl Service {
         // We use the `state_at_event` instead of `state_after` so we accurately
         // represent the state for this event.
 
-        let pdu_id = services().rooms.timeline.append_incoming_pdu(
-            &incoming_pdu,
-            val,
-            extremities.iter().map(|e| (**e).to_owned()).collect(),
-            state_ids_compressed,
-            soft_fail,
-            &state_lock,
-        )?;
+        let pdu_id = services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .append_incoming_pdu(
+                &incoming_pdu,
+                val,
+                extremities.iter().map(|e| (**e).to_owned()).collect(),
+                state_ids_compressed,
+                soft_fail,
+                &state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         debug!("Appended incoming pdu");
 
diff --git a/src/service/rooms/spaces/mod.rs b/src/service/rooms/spaces/mod.rs
index 86b8c03b..534dbdf6 100644
--- a/src/service/rooms/spaces/mod.rs
+++ b/src/service/rooms/spaces/mod.rs
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ impl Service {
                     )
                     .await
                 {
-                    warn!("Got response from {server} for /hierarchy\n{response:?}");
+                    debug!("Got response from {server} for /hierarchy\n{response:?}");
                     let chunk = SpaceHierarchyRoomsChunk {
                         canonical_alias: response.room.canonical_alias,
                         name: response.room.name,
diff --git a/src/service/rooms/state/mod.rs b/src/service/rooms/state/mod.rs
index 48c60203..e5291a1c 100644
--- a/src/service/rooms/state/mod.rs
+++ b/src/service/rooms/state/mod.rs
@@ -80,14 +80,11 @@ impl Service {
                         Err(_) => continue,
                     };
 
-                    services().rooms.state_cache.update_membership(
-                        room_id,
-                        &user_id,
-                        membership,
-                        &pdu.sender,
-                        None,
-                        false,
-                    )?;
+                    services()
+                        .rooms
+                        .state_cache
+                        .update_membership(room_id, &user_id, membership, &pdu.sender, None, false)
+                        .await?;
                 }
                 TimelineEventType::SpaceChild => {
                     services()
diff --git a/src/service/rooms/state_cache/mod.rs b/src/service/rooms/state_cache/mod.rs
index ef1ad61e..d106b7ac 100644
--- a/src/service/rooms/state_cache/mod.rs
+++ b/src/service/rooms/state_cache/mod.rs
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ pub struct Service {
 impl Service {
     /// Update current membership data.
     #[tracing::instrument(skip(self, last_state))]
-    pub fn update_membership(
+    pub async fn update_membership(
         &self,
         room_id: &RoomId,
         user_id: &UserId,
diff --git a/src/service/rooms/timeline/mod.rs b/src/service/rooms/timeline/mod.rs
index a6774ec6..03f33a34 100644
--- a/src/service/rooms/timeline/mod.rs
+++ b/src/service/rooms/timeline/mod.rs
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ impl Service {
     ///
     /// Returns pdu id
     #[tracing::instrument(skip(self, pdu, pdu_json, leaves))]
-    pub fn append_pdu<'a>(
+    pub async fn append_pdu<'a>(
         &self,
         pdu: &PduEvent,
         mut pdu_json: CanonicalJsonObject,
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ impl Service {
                 .entry(pdu.room_id.clone())
                 .or_default(),
         );
-        let insert_lock = mutex_insert.lock().unwrap();
+        let insert_lock = mutex_insert.lock().await;
 
         let count1 = services().globals.next_count()?;
         // Mark as read first so the sending client doesn't get a notification even if appending
@@ -422,14 +422,18 @@ impl Service {
 
                     // Update our membership info, we do this here incase a user is invited
                     // and immediately leaves we need the DB to record the invite event for auth
-                    services().rooms.state_cache.update_membership(
-                        &pdu.room_id,
-                        &target_user_id,
-                        content.membership,
-                        &pdu.sender,
-                        invite_state,
-                        true,
-                    )?;
+                    services()
+                        .rooms
+                        .state_cache
+                        .update_membership(
+                            &pdu.room_id,
+                            &target_user_id,
+                            content.membership,
+                            &pdu.sender,
+                            invite_state,
+                            true,
+                        )
+                        .await?;
                 }
             }
             TimelineEventType::RoomMessage => {
@@ -655,7 +659,7 @@ impl Service {
             .as_ref()
             .map(|create_event| {
                 serde_json::from_str(create_event.content.get()).map_err(|e| {
-                    warn!("Invalid create event: {}", e);
+                    warn!("Invalid database create event: {}", e);
                     Error::bad_database("Invalid create event in db.")
                 })
             })
@@ -809,7 +813,7 @@ impl Service {
     /// Creates a new persisted data unit and adds it to a room. This function takes a
     /// roomid_mutex_state, meaning that only this function is able to mutate the room state.
     #[tracing::instrument(skip(self, state_lock))]
-    pub fn build_and_append_pdu(
+    pub async fn build_and_append_pdu(
         &self,
         pdu_builder: PduBuilder,
         sender: &UserId,
@@ -909,14 +913,16 @@ impl Service {
         // pdu without it's state. This is okay because append_pdu can't fail.
         let statehashid = services().rooms.state.append_to_state(&pdu)?;
 
-        let pdu_id = self.append_pdu(
-            &pdu,
-            pdu_json,
-            // Since this PDU references all pdu_leaves we can update the leaves
-            // of the room
-            vec![(*pdu.event_id).to_owned()],
-            state_lock,
-        )?;
+        let pdu_id = self
+            .append_pdu(
+                &pdu,
+                pdu_json,
+                // Since this PDU references all pdu_leaves we can update the leaves
+                // of the room
+                vec![(*pdu.event_id).to_owned()],
+                state_lock,
+            )
+            .await?;
 
         // We set the room state after inserting the pdu, so that we never have a moment in time
         // where events in the current room state do not exist
@@ -954,7 +960,7 @@ impl Service {
     /// Append the incoming event setting the state snapshot to the state from the
     /// server that sent the event.
     #[tracing::instrument(skip_all)]
-    pub fn append_incoming_pdu<'a>(
+    pub async fn append_incoming_pdu<'a>(
         &self,
         pdu: &PduEvent,
         pdu_json: CanonicalJsonObject,
@@ -984,11 +990,11 @@ impl Service {
             return Ok(None);
         }
 
-        let pdu_id =
-            services()
-                .rooms
-                .timeline
-                .append_pdu(pdu, pdu_json, new_room_leaves, state_lock)?;
+        let pdu_id = services()
+            .rooms
+            .timeline
+            .append_pdu(pdu, pdu_json, new_room_leaves, state_lock)
+            .await?;
 
         Ok(Some(pdu_id))
     }
@@ -1169,7 +1175,7 @@ impl Service {
                 .entry(room_id.clone())
                 .or_default(),
         );
-        let insert_lock = mutex_insert.lock().unwrap();
+        let insert_lock = mutex_insert.lock().await;
 
         let count = services().globals.next_count()?;
         let mut pdu_id = shortroomid.to_be_bytes().to_vec();