Service area · Cumberland County, ME

Basement waterproofing in Portland, ME

Portland is Maine's largest city, built on a peninsula in Casco Bay with older neighborhoods climbing Munjoy Hill and the West End. Many homes are more than a century old, and their cellars were dug long before modern drainage or damp-proofing was standard practice.

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Neighborhoods: Munjoy Hill, West End, Deering, Back Cove

Portland: call now

(833) 460-4463

What kind of homes and basements does Portland have?

Peninsula neighborhoods are dominated by 19th-century triple-deckers, row houses and Victorians with brick or granite-and-rubble cellars. Off-peninsula areas such as Deering and Stroudwater have more early 20th-century and post-war homes on block or poured concrete. Ledge and dense glacial soil are common, so water often moves sideways along rock rather than draining down.

What causes basement and foundation problems in Portland?

Granite and brick cellars that wick moisture

Old masonry cellars rarely leak in one spot; they stay damp across whole walls. Interior drainage to a sump, a drainage membrane on the walls and steady dehumidification usually do more than sealants.

Spring melt on frozen ground

When snow melts while the top of the soil is still frozen, water runs toward foundations instead of soaking in. Downspout extensions and grading that sheds water away matter most in March and April.

Coastal storm surges and high groundwater

Low-lying blocks near the waterfront and Back Cove can see groundwater rise during nor'easters. A sump with a battery backup and a check valve on the discharge line reduces the risk of a flooded cellar during outages.

Which basement services do Portland homeowners need most?

Also available in Portland: sump pump service, leaking crack repair, and every service on our full list of 19 basement services.

Who serves Portland, and how does a call work?

Neighborhoods: Munjoy Hill, West End, Deering, Back Cove, Libbytown, Stroudwater
County / state: Cumberland County, Maine

What do Portland homeowners ask most?

Can a 100-year-old Portland cellar be finished?

It can, once water and moisture are controlled first. Contractors typically install perimeter drainage and a sump, cover the stone or brick with a dimpled membrane, and use moisture-tolerant framing and insulation so dampness is not trapped behind new walls.

Why does my cellar floor get wet only in spring?

In early spring, groundwater rises with snowmelt and rain while the ground is partly frozen. Water then pushes up through cracks and the joint where the floor meets the wall. An interior drain along that joint is the usual fix.

Where can I verify this information about Portland, ME?

1FEMA: Flood Map Service CenterCheck whether a property in Portland, ME is in a mapped flood zone before finishing a basement.
2U.S. Census Bureau: QuickFactsHousing and population facts for Portland, ME, including the age of local housing stock.
3USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Web Soil SurveyLook up soil drainage class and shrink-swell potential for any lot in Portland, ME.
4U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: MoldGuidance on moisture control and keeping indoor humidity low to prevent mold.
5Federal Trade Commission: Hiring a ContractorWhat to check before hiring: licensing, insurance, written estimates and payment terms.

What should Portland homeowners read before calling?

Which areas near Portland are covered?

Need a waterproofing contractor in Portland?

Call (833) 460-4463 Book an inspection