Rumford, Mexico, Dixfield, Peru and the rest of the river valley can reach us at 207-740-9449, around the clock. Bouchard Cleaning & Restoration DKI offers every service on this page in Rumford, and for fire, water, mold and sewage emergencies we are available 24/7/365. Outside business hours a local answering service pages our on-call staff, who call you back within 15 minutes.
In Rumford the river and the age of the housing shape most of the work, so the sections start there.
Water damage and river flooding in Rumford
The Androscoggin and the Swift River both reach into Rumford and Mexico. As the river rises, the water crosses Route 2 at Falmouth Street, reaches the Lincoln Avenue intersection and floods Hosmer Field, and across the river Carlton and Dix Streets in Mexico take water from the Swift River and the Androscoggin backing up. At the highest levels Routes 2 and 140 close and many streets in both towns flood. In December 2023 the Androscoggin rose to levels close to the 1987 flood, damaged homes and businesses and led to evacuations. Floodwater from either river brings silt and contamination with it, so porous materials such as wet drywall, insulation and carpet are usually removed first, and drying and rebuilding follow.
Much of Rumford’s housing is older, with about 70 percent built before 1960, and a third is in buildings of two or more units. Pipe failures and roof leaks in those buildings send water into the apartment or floor below. We pump the water out, dry each affected unit and keep checking moisture until the readings are normal. After a flood, water damage restoration explains how the drying goes, and tips for the wait help in the meantime.
Fire, soot and chimney residue
Two thirds of the homes in town heat with oil, and about one in ten burns wood. A puff-back from an oil burner leaves a greasy black film through the house, and a chimney fire leaves its own soot and odor. Please don’t wipe walls or ceilings, since that smears soot into the surface.
After a fire we assess the damage, board up openings, pack out and inventory contents, clean the structure and deodorize. We can clean the ducts afterward, and we clean clothing and soft contents separately. We work with every insurance company and can explain the claims process. The whole sequence is laid out in our smoke and fire damage services.
Mold in older Rumford houses
Houses that have taken river water or years of damp cellar air are prone to mold, and in older buildings it often hides behind plaster or under floors. Mold can begin growing 24 to 48 hours after a leak or flood, which is why we ask people to call as soon as the water is gone.
The assessment covers what needs doing and what testing is called for. Removal can include anti-microbial treatment and tear-out with rebuilding, and we do the rebuild with our own contractors. Bleach only lightens the stain and does not kill mold. How removal works is explained under mold assessment & removal.
Sewage and biohazard cleanup
A sewage backup in an older building can contaminate floors, walls and stored belongings after a flood or a blocked line alike. Contaminated materials are removed and the area is cleaned and sanitized. We also handle bodily fluid cleanup, animal waste and vandalism, and hoarding cleanup in cooperation with owners and property managers. Biohazard cleaning explains how each kind of job is handled.
Commercial cleaning and apartment turnovers
Rumford has a hospital, schools and a downtown business district, and we clean and sanitize hospitals, nursing homes, schools, restaurants and offices, either as preventive care or after a confirmed illness. The method is in cleaning & sanitizing.
Landlords of the mill-era apartment buildings can book move-in and move-out cleaning for surfaces, windows, walls, carpet and tile. Services, timeline and budget are agreed first, and apartment & condo cleaning spells out the scope.
Carpet, upholstery and floor care
Floors tracked with winter sand and salt need more than a vacuum, and our van-mounted hot steam extraction system gets carpet and upholstery clean without any preparation on your part. For commercial floors we also wax tile and clean grout. Floor care for commercial space is covered by floor care services.
Air duct cleaning
Seven in ten houses in Rumford went up before 1960, and many have the original oil furnace or a newer one attached to old ductwork. Add a wood stove or two, and the runs collect a fine layer of ash and soot over the years. After a puff-back that layer is much heavier, so the ducts need cleaning before the furnace runs again. Following a flood, ducts in a low cellar can hold silt and damp residue. The duct cleaning page gives the suggested cleaning interval and what clean ducts do for air quality.
Post-construction cleanup
Rebuilding after a river flood, or renovating a mill-era house or block of apartments, produces plaster dust, drywall dust and sticky adhesive in every room. When the contractors leave, we clear the debris and mud, clean the walls and high spaces, take the factory stickers off new windows and wash the windows, sills and screens. Carpet, tile and the duct system are cleaned and inspected so dust does not blow back out of the vents. We offer a free quote on post-construction cleaning.
Clothing and soft contents restoration
When the Androscoggin gets into a cellar, the boxes of winter clothing, bedding and curtains kept down there go with it, and river water leaves silt and a lasting odor. Soot from a wood stove or oil burner can do the same to closets upstairs. Much of this can still be saved. Our Esporta Wash System uses a phosphate-free detergent and about half the water of standard washing, and the manufacturer reports about 90% of soft contents come back food-grade clean. See clothing restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you cover Mexico, Dixfield, Peru and Andover?
Yes. We serve Rumford and the surrounding river valley, including Mexico, Dixfield, Peru, Hanover, Roxbury, Byron, Andover and Canton. Call 207-740-9449.
The Swift River backed up into our cellar. What has to be removed?
Whatever the river left behind is likely contaminated, so soaked drywall, insulation and carpet usually go. Masonry and structural wood can often be saved by cleaning and drying. We check the moisture as we work and say what can remain.
How do you handle a flooded building with several apartments?
We extract water from each affected unit, set drying equipment in every one and monitor moisture throughout. We keep you informed as the readings change. If the job is large, we can ask DKI for more trained technicians and equipment.
My oil burner puffed back. Can I run it again once I wipe things down?
No. Don’t wipe the walls or ceilings and don’t run the furnace until it has been checked and the soot assessed. Change the furnace filter, open windows if you can and call us.
Our woodstove chimney caught fire and the house smells of smoke. Can you remove the odor?
Yes. We clean the surfaces, scrub the air, deodorize and can clean the ducts. Clothing and bedding can be cleaned with the Esporta Wash System.
How soon should we call after the water goes down?
Right away. Mold can begin within 24 to 48 hours. Our mold prevention tips cover the wait.
Can you sanitize a care facility or school building?
Yes. We clean and sanitize hospitals, nursing homes, schools and daycares, and we can work around your schedule if you tell us what it is.
Flood damage isn't covered on our policy. Are there other ways to pay?
Yes. Our partner Enhancify handles financing applications, which spread the cost over time. If you do have a claim, we work with all insurance carriers and can help you through the process.
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We're able to accommodate a variety of jobs of varying scope and size. We'll carefully evaluate your needs.
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