Slow drains and a full tank: septic or sewer?
The first question we ask in Norwell is whether the house is on a septic system or a sewer. It changes the answer. A slow drain on sewer is a clog we can clear. A slow drain in every fixture on a septic system can mean a full tank, a clogged baffle or a failing leach field.
According to the state's source water assessment, the residential areas around Norwell's town wells have no public sewers and use septic systems. That fits what we see. Many Norwell houses sit on lots large enough for a tank and field, and the plumbing was laid out around them.
| Symptom | On sewer | On septic |
|---|---|---|
| One slow fixture | Branch clog, cable it | Branch clog, cable it |
| Every fixture slow | Main line clog or root intrusion | Full tank, blocked baffle or failing field |
| Gurgling and odor outside | Cleanout or vent issue | Tank or distribution box issue |
| Backup after heavy rain | Inflow into the sewer | Saturated leach field |
We clear the plumbing side with drain cleaning and sewer line cleaning. We do not pump tanks. A full tank needs a licensed septic hauler, and a failed system needs a designer and installer under Title 5.
Title 5, the Board of Health and a house sale
Under Massachusetts Title 5, a septic system must be inspected within two years before a house is sold, and only MassDEP-approved inspectors can do it. A passing sale inspection is generally valid for two years, or three with annual pumping records. A failed system must be upgraded within two years unless the local board approves another schedule.
Norwell's Board of Health, at 345 Main Street, handles septic inspections and private well questions. We recommend calling them before a sale or an addition that adds a bedroom. A camera inspection of the building drain, done through a sewer inspection, does not replace a Title 5 inspection, but it shows the line from the house to the tank.
Well water, town wells and what comes out of the tap
Norwell's town water comes entirely from ten groundwater wells in four recharge areas, and some of those recharge areas extend into Hingham and Hanover. Other homes use private wells. A private well means the pump, pressure tank and treatment are yours to maintain, and pressure complaints can be a pump issue rather than a plumbing one.
Water chemistry on wells varies. Acidic water can eat copper and leave blue-green stains, and iron or hard water leaves scale and rust marks. The state's town report does not list hardness for Norwell, so test your tap. The results guide choices for a water heater and any filtration.
Before we arrive: if you have a burst pipe or active leak
- 1
Close the main
Shut the main valve. On a well system, also turn off the pump breaker.
- 2
Cut wet power
Switch off breakers for wet rooms if the panel is dry. Keep out of standing water.
- 3
Protect belongings
Lift items off the floor and move electronics out of the wet area.
- 4
Call the 24/7 line
Tell us your road, whether you have a well or town water, and what has failed.
Sump pumps, basements and the North River
Norwell's eastern border runs along the North River, and Accord Pond sits where Norwell, Rockland and Hingham meet. Low lots near the river and ponds can have high groundwater in wet seasons. A failed sump pump after a storm is one of the more common calls from these areas, and our sump pump repair service covers both repairs and replacements.
Norwell has Jacobs Pond on Route 123 and the southern end of Wompatuck State Park within its borders, and large trees line many roads. Roots enter older drain lines, so a recurring clog may need a camera. Norwell borders Hingham, and calls from nearby Hingham streets are covered too.
Norwell ZIP code and dispatch routes
Norwell uses ZIP code 02061. Route 53 is the main route from Hingham, and Routes 123 and 228 cross town east to west and north to south. Route 3 passes through Norwell twice but has no exits in town, so we use the surface roads. For Hull and Cohasset service, see Hull and Cohasset. For urgent calls, dial our 24/7 line.
Norwell plumbing questions
If only one fixture is slow, it is usually a plumbing clog. If every fixture is slow or you smell sewage outside, the septic system may be the cause. A plumber can tell you which and refer you to a hauler or designer when needed.
Yes. Dispatch is open 24/7, including nights, weekends and holidays. For an active leak, close the main valve and call.
No. We clear drains and sewer lines and diagnose plumbing. Tank pumping is done by a licensed septic hauler.
We handle the household plumbing and can often diagnose pressure issues, but well pump and treatment equipment may need a well contractor.
Title 5 requires an inspection by a MassDEP-approved inspector within two years before a sale. Check with Norwell's Board of Health about local requirements.
Yes. Norwell is served by ZIP code 02061, which covers the whole town from the Route 53 corridor and the town center out to the North River, Jacobs Pond and the Accord Pond area on the Hingham line.