Older parts of Portland are served by combined sewers, and the city has been working on separation and storage projects to reduce overflows into Casco Bay. Maine’s deep frost and long winters freeze pipes in exterior walls, unheated basements and porches, and nor’easters bring heavy snow and power outages.
Housing & construction
1800s homes and triple-deckers on Munjoy Hill and the West End, mid-century homes off the peninsula, and newer condos on the waterfront.
Plumbing services in Portland
Pipe Repair in Portland
Historic walls
Portland pipe repair →
Sewer Line Repair in Portland
Frost heave
Portland sewer line repair →Also common in Portland: water heater repair, drain cleaning.
What makes Portland plumbing different
Very soft water
Minimal scale, but older copper and solder joints can corrode.
Historic multi-unit homes
Triple-deckers and conversions share stacks and mains.
Combined sewers
Storms can back water into peninsula basements.
Deep frost
Shallow service lines and exterior-wall pipes freeze in long cold spells.
Seasonal plumbing calendar for Portland
- WinterKeep basements heated, insulate exterior-wall pipes and plan for nor’easter outages.
- Spring thawCheck sump pumps and basement drains.
Plumbing emergency in Portland?
- Close the main water shutoff, or the fixture valve if the problem is in one place.
- Stay away from water near outlets or the electrical panel.
- For sewage backups, stop using all drains.
- If you smell gas, leave and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.
Portland plumbing questions
Where does Portland, Maine’s water come from?
Sebago Lake, supplied by the Portland Water District.
Is Portland water hard?
No, Sebago Lake water is very soft.
Why do pipes freeze in Portland’s older homes?
Pipes along uninsulated exterior walls and in unheated basements freeze during long cold spells.
Nearby service areas
We also serve communities around Portland, including South Portland, Westbrook, Falmouth, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Gorham.
