Looking for a plumber in Portland, Maine? Half the city's homes were built before 1946, and Maine winters are long, so old pipe and frozen lines are the common calls. Call Same Day Plumber any time to reach a Maine-licensed plumber.
Need a Plumber in Portland Today?
Say how old the building is and whether the pipe has frozen or is already leaking. Your call is passed to an independent plumber working in Portland. They quote the job and bill you directly, and they'll tell you when they can arrive before you commit.
Emergency Plumbing Services in Portland
3 situations account for many urgent calls in Portland. Each has a first step to take while you wait.
- Pipe frozen or burst: close the main in the basement, open the faucet and keep the heat up. See burst pipe.
- Leak from an old stack or supply line: shut the main for a supply leak, and keep upstairs fixtures off for a drain leak.
- Sewage in the basement: stop using water on every floor. See sewer backup.
For any of these, an emergency plumber can often come out to Portland the same day, including nights and weekends. If you smell gas, leave the building first and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.
24/7 Plumbing Services in Portland
- Emergency PlumbingBurst pipes, flooding, sewage backups and loss of water, any hour.
- Drain CleaningClogged sinks, tubs, toilets and main sewer lines.
- Water Heater Repair & ReplacementNo hot water, leaking tanks, tank and tankless repair or replacement.
- Leak Detection & RepairHidden, slab and pipe leaks found and fixed before they cause damage.
- Sewer Line RepairCamera inspection, sewer repair and trenchless replacement.
- Pipe Repair & RepipingBurst, frozen and corroded pipes repaired or replaced.
- Toilet RepairRunning, clogged, leaking and broken toilets repaired or replaced.
- Faucet & Fixture RepairFaucets, garbage disposals and shower valves.
- Sump Pump RepairSump pump repair, replacement and battery backups.
- Gas Line RepairGas leak repair and appliance hookups by licensed plumbers.
- Water Softeners & FiltrationWater softeners, whole-house filtration and well pumps.
- Commercial Plumbing & BackflowCommercial plumbing service and backflow testing.
Common Plumbing Problems in Portland Homes
Portland Water District draws from Sebago Lake, and the water is very soft. Its report on 2024 data lists hardness of 7.2 mg/L, under half a grain per gallon, and the district says home softening is unnecessary.
Portland's median home was built in 1946, with much older houses on Munjoy Hill and in the West End. Plumbing permits come from the city's Inspections Office and are separate from building permits.
Getting an Old Portland House Through Winter
- Shut off and drain outdoor faucets from the inside valve before the first hard freeze.
- Insulate pipes along outside basement walls and in crawl spaces.
- Keep heat on in every unit, including empty ones.
- Find the main shutoff, usually where the water line enters the basement. See frozen pipes.
Old Cast Iron and Galvanized Pipe
With a median home built in 1946, corroded drain stacks and narrowed supply lines are common.
Shared Lines in Older Multi-unit Houses
In a triple-decker or converted house, one unit's leak reaches the units below.
What Affects Plumbing Costs in Portland
No plumber can quote a firm price before seeing the problem. These are the things that move the cost of plumbing work in Portland.
- Old pipe. Repairs on 1940s and older plumbing often extend.
- Winter access. Frozen ground slows work on service and sewer lines.
- Finding the problem. Leak locating and camera inspections are separate steps, but they keep the repair itself small.
- Time of day. Many companies charge an after-hours, weekend or holiday fee.
- Permits. When a job needs one, it comes from City of Portland Inspections Office, and the plumber usually pulls it.
- Ask for the arrival fee before the plumber heads out, and for the repair price in writing before work starts.
How to Find a Licensed Plumber in Portland
These checks take a few minutes and prevent most bad experiences, whichever Portland plumber you end up hiring.
Check the Maine License
Ask for the plumber's Maine license number before work starts, and confirm the plumbing permit has been issued by the city. That applies to any plumbing work at your Portland home.
Portland Plumbing Permits
In Portland, a building permit does not cover plumbing. The plumbing permit is applied for separately through the city's Inspections Office, the fee is paid before review, and work may not start until the permit has been issued. The plumber normally files it.
What to Ask on the Phone
- What is the arrival window?
- Is there a service, trip or after-hours fee?
- For an emergency, will you stop the damage first and quote the permanent repair before starting it?
- What is your license number?
Plumbers in Cities Near Portland
FAQs About Plumbers in Portland
Is Portland, Maine water hard?
No. Portland Water District's water comes from Sebago Lake and is very soft, at about 7 mg/L. The district says softening is unnecessary.
How quickly can I get a plumber in Portland?
Often the same day, including nights and weekends, but it depends on demand and where in Portland you are. The plumber gives you an arrival window when you call. During a citywide event such as a hard freeze or major storm, waits are longer, so shut off the water and limit the damage while you wait.
Find a Same-Day Plumber in Portland, ME
If you have frozen and burst pipes, old cast iron and galvanized pipe or another plumbing problem in Portland, call now. You'll be connected to a licensed plumber who works in your area, and you'll know the arrival window and any fee before they head out.