Nearly six in ten Yarmouth homes burn heating oil, so fire and soot calls here often begin at the furnace. Bouchard Cleaning & Restoration DKI answers those calls, along with water, mold and sewage emergencies, at 207-536-7220. We pick up 24/7/365, and outside business hours our on-call staff call you back.
Cousins Island and the area around the Royal River are covered as well. The sections below say what each service involves locally.
Oil burner puff-backs and fire damage
When an oil burner misfires, soot can be forced through the ductwork and settle as a black film on walls, ceilings and belongings in every room. Oil is the main fuel in Yarmouth, which makes a puff-back one of the likelier ways for a house here to need soot cleanup. Soot is greasy, so wiping it spreads it, and cleaning should wait until we have looked.
After a fire or puff-back, openings are boarded up and contents are packed out with an inventory. Deodorizing and duct cleaning come next. We can work with every insurance company. The smoke and fire damage services page covers the work, and the emergency tips for fire damage say what to do and not do first.
Water damage and flooding in Yarmouth
The Royal River floods upstream of town, where the National Weather Service lists Route 231 in New Gloucester and Baston Park in North Yarmouth among the first places to go under. The river runs on into Yarmouth, but within the town most water damage starts at home: a burst pipe, a roof leak, a washing machine hose or a basement that fills after heavy rain. Salt water from a coastal storm is dirty, so wet drywall and carpet from a tidal flood normally come out, while framing and concrete can generally be cleaned and dried.
Drying equipment goes into the building and stays until moisture readings are normal. The water damage tips list the first steps, and water damage restoration describes what follows.
Mold in Yarmouth homes
Mold usually follows a leak or a flood by a day or two, and it can hide behind walls. We assess the home first, then set out the testing and the removal plan, using anti-microbial treatment or tear-out and rebuild where materials are damaged. Our mold assessment and removal page has more, and the mold prevention tips explain humidity control.
Sewage backups and biohazard cleanup
A sewage backup contaminates everything it touches, and the bacteria in it call for more than a mop and household cleaner. Affected materials come out, and what is left is cleaned and sanitized. Hoarding situations and bodily fluid cleanup are part of this work too. Hoarding and bodily fluid jobs are described in biohazard cleaning.
Cleaning for condos, apartments and offices
Most Yarmouth homes are single-family, but roughly one in eight is in a building with five or more units, which means apartment buildings and condo complexes. Those buildings can book turnover cleaning of surfaces, windows, walls, carpets and tile floors. More detail is on our apartment and condo cleaning page.
For businesses, we clean and sanitize offices, restaurants, schools and medical buildings, including preventive disinfection. Our cleaning and sanitizing page has the full list.
Air duct cleaning for oil-heated homes
Almost six houses in ten here are heated with oil, so an oil burner puff-back is the usual reason for duct cleaning: the furnace blows the soot into every run, and the film comes back out of the vents if the ducts are not cleaned. Oil-fired systems that are not serviced also leave a fine residue over the years. Pets, smokers and seasonal allergies shorten the interval, and a renovation adds drywall dust. Cleaner ducts can lower heating and cooling costs too, as the duct cleaning page explains.
Carpet, upholstery and floor care
Most homes here are single-family houses with wall-to-wall carpet and upholstered furniture, and the condo and apartment clusters mean frequent turnovers. We clean with van-mounted hot steam extraction, and our technicians move the furniture, so the room does not need to be prepared. We treat stains, remove pet odors and can apply Scotchgard. In the entryways, winter salt and sand get ground in and need extraction rather than a vacuum. Tile floors can be waxed and grout cleaned. For the full scope, open floor care services.
Post-construction cleanup
After a build or a renovation we clear debris, dust, mud and adhesive, clean walls and high spaces, take off the factory stickers and wash windows, sills and screens, and clean carpet and tile. We also clean, disinfect and inspect the ducts. More detail is on our post-construction cleaning page.
Clothing and contents restoration
Soot from an oil burner puff-back gets into closets and drawers in every room, not only the room nearest the furnace, and the smell stays in clothing and bedding after the walls are cleaned. A burst pipe or a flooded basement can soak stored coats and blankets. Many of these items can be saved. We wash them with the Esporta Wash System, which cleans with phosphate-free soap and roughly half the usual water, with third-party testing showing about 90% of soft contents returned food-grade clean. See clothing restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you come out to Cousins Island?
Yes. We cover all of Yarmouth, including Cousins Island. Call 207-536-7220 and tell us where the job is.
Why does my oil burner keep puffing soot into the house?
A puff-back happens when the burner ignites late or misfires and pressure pushes soot out. We clean the soot damage, but have your heating company check the burner before you use the system again.
What can I clean up myself after a small puff-back?
Very little. Do not wipe walls or ceilings, because soot smears. You can change the furnace filter, brush or vacuum loose particulate, and open windows. We handle the rest. See the fire damage tips.
How soon do I need to call after a basement floods?
As soon as the water stops rising. Mold can start in 24 to 48 hours, and wet drywall and insulation usually have to be removed.
Can you clean an apartment or condo between tenants?
Yes. Turnover cleaning can include ducts if requested, and we plan around your date and budget.
How do I reach you outside business hours?
You can reach us at 207-536-7220 or 1-800-479-6676 at any hour, and our on-call staff call you back after hours to evaluate the emergency.
Do I have to move the furniture before you clean the carpets?
No. Our technicians move the furniture themselves, so there is nothing to prepare.
Do you handle claims directly with my insurance company?
We work with all carriers, and we can walk you through the claims process. If your claim is denied or you have no coverage, you can apply through Enhancify, our financing partner, and pay over time.
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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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