Abram Environmental
Mildew and mould inspections, with removal and prevention work, set this company apart. It also does asbestos removal and cleanouts, serving Gorham, Yarmouth, Cumberland and Falmouth on weekdays.
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Water damage and mould remediation in Portland
Restoration firms for drying and mould removal.
7 pros in Portland
Water damage in Portland rarely comes from one cause. The city has seen heavy winter weather, and the National Weather Service notes that the 2010s were 8.3 inches snowier than normal, so snowmelt and thaw cycles are part of the picture. Across Maine, the December 2023 flood followed 4 to 8 inches of rain over 48 hours plus snowmelt. Time matters once water gets in: the Maine Emergency Management Agency says mould can develop within 24-48 hours after a flood. Before you hire, photograph or film the damage before any cleanup, and ask each company how it will dry the structure and how it will document the work. Check your policy for a water damage exclusion, since the state's insurance office warns that flood, surface water and tidal water are often excluded. Ask for a written quote that separates drying from mould removal, and ask who will answer to your insurer if a claim is disputed.
Source: National Weather Service Gray/Portland, ME (source, opens in a new tab)
Crowe’s Restoration
Family-owned and open around the clock, this Arundel business handles water extraction, sewage clean-up and mould remediation. It also covers storm damage and flooded basements.
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Elm Environmental
Asbestos removal and mould remediation are its main jobs, alongside water damage restoration. Open Monday to Saturday, the Portland firm offers free estimates and has more than 15 years in the industry.
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Bone Dry Carpet Cleaning & Water Damage Restoration
Operating since 2009, the Portland carpet cleaner also offers water damage restoration, using a low-moisture method that aims to get floors dry faster than steam cleaning.
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Magic Carpet Cleaning & Restoration
Frozen pipe work sets this South Portland firm apart, alongside structural drying, mould remediation and water damage restoration. It also takes emergency water damage calls.
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EnviroClean – South Portland
Mould removal at the source is the focus here, with the South Portland firm also handling water extraction and rebuilding after damage. Operating since 1989, it offers free estimates.
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Octagon Cleaning & Restoration
Open around the clock, every day, this Windham company works across Portland, South Portland, Scarborough and Saco, with rebuilding after damage, fire and smoke damage and asbestos work among its jobs.
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What to know in Portland
During the January 1998 ice storm, CMP reported about 12,000 customers without power in the Portland area. Windham, Buxton, Cumberland, Gray, Falmouth and Gorham bore the brunt of the storm in the area.
A CMP spokesman said the January 1998 storm caused the largest outage the utility had ever had, and it affected almost every part of Maine. A state of emergency was declared.
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.
Before you hire
Ask how fast they will start drying: Health Canada says a home dried within 48 hours is less likely to grow mould.
Health Canada suggests professional help for extensive mould, meaning a patch larger than 3 m².
Get written quotes from at least three contractors for the same work, and check references from recent clients.
Questions about hiring in Portland
How quickly should I start drying out after a flood in Portland?
Start as soon as it is safe. The Maine Emergency Management Agency says mould can develop within 24-48 hours after a flood, and it advises drying the home quickly. Photograph or film the damage first, because that record helps with insurance claims. Then ask any company you call how soon it can begin drying. Maine Emergency Management Agency (source, opens in a new tab)
Will my homeowners insurance pay for flood damage?
Not necessarily. Maine's Superintendent of Insurance advises checking whether your policy has a water damage exclusion, which usually leaves out flood-related damage. One denied coastal claim involved storm surge and tidal water. Read your policy, and ask your insurer before you sign a restoration contract. Maine Bureau of Insurance (source, opens in a new tab)
What should a water damage or mould quote include?
A quote should be written and should state the areas covered, the drying method, whether mould testing or removal is included, and how moisture will be checked afterward. Ask whether work is split into stages, what could change the scope, and what documentation you will receive for your insurer.
How do I compare quotes from different restoration companies?
Ask each company for the same scope in writing so the quotes match. Compare how they dry the structure, how they handle mould, what they photograph, and what they warrant. Ask about licences and insurance. A large gap between quotes often means the scopes differ, so ask why.