The St. John Valley is familiar ground for us: owner Norman Bouchard is a Van Buren native. We respond in Fort Kent, Madawaska, Frenchville, St. Agatha, Eagle Lake and Wallagrass at 1-800-479-6676 or 207-947-4454, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. An answering service takes after-hours calls and pages Bouchard Cleaning & Restoration DKI’s on-call staff, who return your call within 15 minutes.
Fort Kent customers can book any service we offer. The first sections cover the flooding that sets this town apart.
St. John River flooding and water damage in Fort Kent
A dike protects Fort Kent from the St. John, but the National Weather Service lists a long run of impacts as the river rises. The Fish River backs up behind the dike, flooding parking lots and businesses off East Main Street, then threatens homes on Meadow Lane, Blockhouse Road, Dufour Street and Church Street. In the April 2008 flood the dike held and the Fish River spilled in behind it.
We extract standing water first and then bring in drying equipment. Read the water restoration page for the process and the first-hour tips for what to do while you wait.
Sewage and biohazard cleanup in Fort Kent
Flood water carries sewage, and once it enters a basement the affected materials have to come out and the space has to be disinfected. We remove what cannot be saved, clean the area and sanitize it with the TOMI SteraMist system, which kills on contact and leaves no residue. Homes that sit low near the Fish River are the likeliest to take on contaminated water. Animal waste, bodily fluids, vandalism and hoarding cleanups are handled too. The sewage cleanup page is a good place to start.
Mold assessment and removal in Fort Kent
A basement that took on river water stays wet unless it is dried right away, and mold can begin within 24 to 48 hours. An assessment comes first, so you know the plan and the testing involved before any work starts. Removal can include anti-microbial treatment, with damaged materials torn out and rebuilt as needed. Bleach only lightens mold, so skip it. The mold removal page describes the process and the mold-proofing tips cover keeping the space dry.
Smoke and fire damage in Fort Kent
Seven in ten homes burn oil, and almost one in twelve burns wood. Puff-backs spread soot through the ducts, and chimney and stove fires leave residue on every surface. Belongings that can be cleaned are inventoried and packed out while the structure is worked on, and ducts are cleaned as part of the job. We can also do the reconstruction. See smoke and fire damage services for more.
Cleaning and sanitizing in Fort Kent
The University of Maine at Fort Kent and Northern Maine Medical Center are here, along with schools, nursing homes, restaurants and municipal buildings. We clean and sanitize them as preventive care or after a confirmed illness. About one housing unit in four is in a building of two or more units, and we clean those apartments between tenants. The commercial cleaning page covers the method, and condo cleaning covers rental turnovers.
Carpet, upholstery and floor care in Fort Kent
Carpet that flood water has reached gets water extraction first, and mobile homes, about one in five here, are handled the same way. For ordinary cleaning we use van-mounted hot steam extraction, move the furniture ourselves and set it back on blocks and tabs. Commercial tile can be waxed and the grout cleaned. Our floor care services page covers carpet, upholstery, tile and grout.
Duct cleaning in Fort Kent
Oil and wood heat most homes here, so the common reasons to clean ducts are a puff-back or a chimney fire. A puff-back sends soot into the ducts, and the furnace keeps blowing it around until they are cleaned. Ducts are also worth cleaning after a flood rebuild, when a rental changes hands, and after a renovation, since drywall dust gets pulled in once the heat comes on. The trade association suggests every three to five years, and clean ducts can lower heating costs. The duct services page covers the reasons to book it.
Post-construction cleanup in Fort Kent
After a flood rebuild or a renovation, dust and leftovers cover the walls, windows and floors, and the ducts need cleaning too. We take out debris, dust and adhesive, wash windows, sills and screens, clean the carpet and tile floors, and clean and inspect the duct system before anyone moves back in. The same crew can handle a new build on the way to opening. The post-construction cleanup page lists what the cleanup covers.
Clothing and contents restoration in Fort Kent
Clothing, bedding and other soft contents can often be saved after flood water, sewage, smoke or mold. After a basement floods, boxes of winter coats and bedding stored low are usually the first things wet. We wash them in the Esporta system, which uses phosphate-free detergent and about half the usual water and returns about 90 percent of soft contents to food-grade clean. Our contents restoration page explains which soft contents can be saved.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Fish River is backing up toward our property. Should we call before the water arrives?
You can call at any hour, and we start extraction and drying as soon as water is in the building.
Do you serve the rest of the St. John Valley?
Yes. We serve all 16 Maine counties, including Madawaska, Frenchville, St. Agatha, Eagle Lake, Wallagrass, Saint Francis, Allagash and Van Buren.
The dike held but water still came into our basement. What now?
Call your insurance company, stay out of the water, then call us. We extract it, dry the structure and monitor moisture, and we assess for mold.
Can you dry a mobile home after a flood?
Yes. We extract the water and dry the floors and structure of the home. Tell us what was wet when you call.
What can be done with wet documents and photos?
We offer document drying as part of water damage restoration. Keep them as they are and tell us when you call.
Can you clean a campus building or clinic?
Yes. We clean and sanitize schools, medical buildings, nursing homes and offices.
Can you bring more people for a large flood loss?
Yes. We have several crews, and as a DKI member we can request additional technicians and equipment from the network.
How do we pay for the work if the claim is denied?
Our partner Enhancify offers financing for work insurance will not pay for.
Request an Estimate
We're able to accommodate a variety of jobs of varying scope and size. We'll carefully evaluate your needs.
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Not covered by insurance? Apply for financing through our partner Enhancify.
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