Winslow homes and businesses reach us on the Waterville line, 207-872-6676, at any hour. Bouchard Cleaning & Restoration DKI is available 24 hours a day for water, fire, mold and sewage emergencies in Winslow, Waterville, Fairfield, Vassalboro and China. Outside business hours, our on-call staff phone you back.
What follows is how our services apply to a town of mostly single-family houses on two rivers.
Flooding from the Kennebec and Sebasticook
The Sebasticook River joins the Kennebec in Winslow, so low ground can take water from either one. When the Kennebec rises, the lowest part of town is affected first, with Lithgow Street the most flood-prone. As the river climbs, buildings on Mill Road are affected, and in a major flood Route 201 near Halifax Street can close, especially if the Sebasticook is running high at the same time.
River water is dirty, so drywall, insulation and carpet that it soaked generally have to be removed, while framing and concrete can be cleaned and dried. Most Winslow jobs are single-family houses, and the usual cause is closer to home: a failed water heater, a pipe that froze in an outside wall or a roof leak. In every case the water is pumped out and the structure dried, with moisture monitored until it is back to normal. Our water damage restoration page and water damage tips have more.
Puff-backs, woodstoves and house fires
About seven in ten Winslow households heat with oil, and a few percent burn wood. A burner that misfires can push soot through the whole house, and a chimney or stove problem leaves a similar film. Wiping the walls only spreads soot, so wait for us before cleaning.
First we assess the damage and board up where needed, then pack out and inventory belongings. The house is cleaned and deodorized, and the ducts are cleaned so the furnace does not spread soot again. We work with all insurance companies, and we can help you with the claims process. Fire damage services has more.
Mold after a wet basement
Half of the houses in Winslow were built before 1960, and an older basement that took in river water or spring runoff can grow mold on framing and stored belongings. It can start a day or two after a leak. An assessment tells us what needs to be done and what testing is required, then we treat the mold with anti-microbial products. Where materials are too damaged we tear them out and rebuild. Mold assessment & removal describes the steps, and our prevention tips help with a basement that takes in spring runoff.
Sewage backups and biohazard cleanup
A sewage backup is a health hazard wherever it comes from, and a flooded basement can mix river water with a backed-up drain. Contaminated materials are removed first, and then we clean and sanitize. We also handle bodily fluid cleanup, animal waste, vandalism and hoarding cleanups. Biohazard cleaning lists everything this service covers.
Cleaning and sanitizing
Winslow has schools, medical offices, nursing homes, daycares, restaurants and shops, and we can sanitize them ahead of an outbreak or after one is confirmed, using the TOMI SteraMist system. Because the town is mostly single-family houses with a quarter of households renting, apartment work is mainly turnover cleaning for landlords, who can book it between tenants and plan it around the next move-in date. The pages on cleaning and sanitizing and apartment and condo cleaning have the details.
Duct cleaning
Seven in ten houses here run on oil, and a few burn wood, so soot is the usual reason for cleaning ducts: a puff-back sends it through every run. A basement flood from the Kennebec or the Sebasticook can also leave silt and damp residue in ducts that run low. Rental turnovers and renovations of the older half of the housing stock put dust in them as well. Pets, smokers and seasonal allergies shorten the interval. Our duct cleaning page lists the benefits.
Carpet, upholstery and floor care
You do not need to prepare anything for carpet and upholstery cleaning, which uses van-mounted hot steam extraction, and our technicians move the furniture. Mud and winter sand wear into the carpet by the door, and a rental turnover often needs the whole unit done at once. Stains are pre-treated, pet odors removed, and Scotchgard applied if you want it. Flooded basement carpet is extracted before it is cleaned. Tile floors can be waxed and the grout cleaned; see floor care services.
Post-construction cleanup
Additions, kitchen and bath remodels, and rebuilds after a river flood or a fire leave drywall dust over everything, including the inside of the vents. When the contractors leave, we clear debris and adhesive, wash the walls and high spaces, take the factory stickers off new windows and clean the windows, sills and screens. Carpet, tile and the duct system get cleaned and inspected as the last step. The scope is described in post-construction cleaning, and the quote is free.
Clothing and soft contents restoration
Basement water from a rising river reaches boxes of winter coats, blankets and bedding, and a house fire or woodstove problem can leave smoke in every closet. Sewage and mold leave odors that regular laundering does not take out. Most of these items can be restored. We use the Esporta Wash System, which has third-party test results behind its claim of returning about 90% of soft contents to food-grade clean, with about half the water of a conventional wash. See clothing restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I contact you from Winslow?
Use 207-872-6676, our Waterville line, or toll-free 1-800-479-6676. Both are answered day and night.
The Kennebec is rising near Lithgow Street. Should I wait until the water goes down to call?
No. Call as soon as you know water is coming, and stay out of flooded areas until it is safe. We can plan the work with you while the river is still high.
Can a basement that flooded with river water be saved?
Often. Wet drywall, insulation and carpet usually have to come out, and the framing and concrete can be cleaned and dried. Before anything is removed, we tell you which materials can stay.
Our water heater failed. How quickly does mold start?
Mold can begin within 24 to 48 hours of a leak, so get the water out quickly and call us if anything stayed wet.
Is it safe to keep using the furnace after a puff-back?
Have the burner checked first. Do not turn on electronics or appliances covered in soot until they have been cleaned, and change the furnace filter. If the heat has to stay off in winter, protect the pipes from freezing.
Do you work in Fairfield, Vassalboro and China as well?
Yes. We cover all of Kennebec County and the towns around Winslow.
Can you clean up after a flood and rebuild afterward?
Yes. We have our own contractors for rebuilds, so the same company that dries and cleans the building can restore it to its pre-loss condition.
What if insurance doesn't cover the work?
We work with every insurance carrier. When a claim is denied or there is no coverage, our financing partner Enhancify spreads the cost over time. Start at the financing page.
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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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