Septic Advisor
Family-owned since 1989, this South Portland septic firm handles sewer line repair and sewer backup prevention, and offers emergency service.
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Basement flooding and sewer backup in Portland
Plumbers for backwater valves, sump pumps and drains.
9 pros in Portland
Portland homeowners deal with a mix of heavy rain, snowmelt and coastal storms, and the state treats flooding as its most costly natural hazard. The December 2023 flood came from a slow-moving rainstorm that dropped 4 to 8 inches of rain over 48 hours, along with snowmelt, which is the kind of load that tests a sump pump and a basement drain. The 2010s in Portland were also snowier than normal, so spring melt is part of the picture. Power is another concern: the 1998 ice storm left about 12,000 customers in the Portland area without power, and a sump pump does nothing without electricity. Before you hire, ask what the plan is if the power fails, such as a battery backup. Ask for the scope of work in writing, and check with your town about any permit for drain or plumbing changes. Also read your insurance policy: homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so prevention work is your main protection.
AT Plumbing Services, LLC
Battery backup sump pumps and backwater valves head the list of jobs at this Scarborough plumber, which also handles sewer line repair.
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Beach Comber Plumbing and Drain
Around-the-clock hours run on weekdays at this Arundel plumber, which handles sump pumps and drain cleaning and also serves Cumberland.
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Fontus Water Treatment Specialists
Water treatment and filtration work sits alongside sump pump jobs at this Scarborough plumber, which has operated since 2019. Emergency service is offered on weekdays and free estimates are available.
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Jerry’s Plumbing & Heating
Mitsubishi and Viessmann equipment is among the lines this Arundel heating and plumbing firm works with, alongside sump pumps and drain cleaning. Emergency service and free estimates are offered.
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EcoClean
Open around the clock, every day, this Scarborough plumber covers sewer backup prevention, drain cleaning and sump pumps.
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Evergreen Home Performance
This Portland firm, active since 2006, installs French drains and sump pumps and also works on moisture control and encapsulation for basements.
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Mainely Plumbing & Heating Inc
A Gorham heating and cooling contractor, in business since 1986, also works on sump pumps and flooded basements. Emergency heating and cooling service is offered, and financing is available.
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TC Hafford Basement Systems
Since 1991, this waterproofing firm has handled basement waterproofing, sump pumps and flooded basements, and it covers Portland, South Portland, Wells and Biddeford. Financing is available.
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What to know in Portland
The National Weather Service's 1991-2020 normals note that the 2010s in Portland were 0.2 degrees warmer than normal and 8.3 inches snowier than normal. The 1980s were 1.4 degrees cooler than normal and 10.7 inches less snowy.
National Weather Service Gray/Portland, ME (source, opens in a new tab)
The December 18-21, 2023 flood in Maine came from a slow-moving rainstorm with 50-60 mph winds. It produced 4 to 8 inches of rain over 48 hours, plus an average snowmelt of 1.5 to 2.5 inches.
Maine's Superintendent of Insurance advises homeowners to check whether their policy has a water damage exclusion, a standard provision under which flood-related damage is not covered. The office describes a coastal storm-surge claim for a deck and shed that was denied because of the policy's exclusion for flood, surface water, waves and tidal water.
Before you hire
Ask which permits the job needs and who will get them; your municipal building department can tell you before work starts.
Get written quotes from at least three contractors for the same work, and check references from recent clients.
Put it in a written contract: the work, price, deposit, start and finish dates, warranty, permits and clean-up. Paying cash to skip it leaves you no recourse.
Questions about hiring in Portland
Does homeowners insurance cover a flooded basement in Maine?
Generally not for flood damage. The Maine Emergency Management Agency says homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, and new flood insurance policies take 30 days to take effect. Read your policy for a water damage exclusion, and ask your insurer what is and is not covered before you pay for prevention work. Maine Emergency Management Agency (source, opens in a new tab)
What should a quote for sump pump or drain work include?
Ask for a written scope that names the equipment, where the water will discharge, any backup power, warranty terms, who pulls permits, and a start and finish timeline. A quote that is vague on these points is hard to compare with others, so ask each contractor the same questions.
Why does a sump pump need backup power in the Portland area?
Big storms can cut power for long periods. In the January 1998 ice storm, CMP reported about 12,000 customers without power in the Portland area. A pump that depends on mains electricity stops working then, so ask contractors about battery backup or other options. Portland Press Herald (source, opens in a new tab)
How do I compare quotes from different contractors?
Get at least two or three quotes for the same job and compare them line by line: the work described, materials, permits, warranty and payment schedule. Confirm each contractor's licence or registration where one applies, and ask for proof of insurance before signing anything.