Service areas
Drain cleaning near you, neighborhood by neighborhood in Somerville
Somerville packs a lot of houses into a little over four square miles, and the drains under them differ more than you might think. A mid-1800s house on Spring Hill, a triple-decker near Davis Square and a storefront with apartments above in Union Square each come with their own plumbing history.
How to use these pages
What changes from one Somerville neighborhood to the next
Somerville was set off from Charlestown in 1842, became a city in 1872 and filled in quickly; it is now the most crowded municipality anywhere in New England [1]. That history shows up in the basement. Older neighborhoods on the hills have mid-nineteenth-century houses with long runs of pipe added over generations, while the blocks filled with triple-deckers in the early twentieth century have stacked kitchens and baths sharing the same drain stacks.
Most of the city drains to a combined sewer that also carries stormwater [2], so storm-related backups are a citywide concern, but how much they matter depends on how low a basement sits and how the lateral was run. Each area page below explains the housing, the drain problems that commonly come with it, how permits work for any repair, and practical notes on parking and access for a visit.
Every page is written about Somerville addresses. If your street is just over the line in Cambridge, Medford or Arlington, the drain work is the same, but any permit for a repair is handled by that city or town's own plumbing inspector.
FAQ
Somerville neighborhood drain questions in brief
Which Somerville neighborhoods does this drain cleaning referral cover?
Calls are taken from across Somerville, and six neighborhoods have their own pages: Davis Square, Union Square, Winter Hill, Spring Hill, Teele Square and East Somerville. Each page explains the local housing and drain patterns. If your street is not listed, call anyway and ask whether a contractor covers your address.
Why do drain problems differ between Somerville neighborhoods?
Housing age, layout and terrain change how drains fail. Triple-decker blocks share stacks, Union Square mixes restaurants with apartments, Spring Hill has long sloping laterals, and low areas like East Somerville feel storm surcharge more. Reading your neighborhood page first helps you describe the problem clearly when you call.
Is the sewer under my Somerville street run by the city or the MWRA?
The local street sewers belong to the City of Somerville's Water and Sewer Department, which carries the flow to the MWRA system and on to Deer Island for treatment. Report a suspected street sewer problem through 311. The private line from your house to the street is the owner's to maintain.
Does living near the Cambridge, Medford or Arlington line change anything?
Only for permits and public sewer reports, which follow your property's address. Clearing a clog needs no permit anywhere in Massachusetts, but a pipe repair goes through the plumbing inspector of the city or town on your tax bill. The Teele Square page covers a four-town corner in detail.
Calling about a drain anywhere in Somerville
Give your street or nearest square when you call so you are connected with an independent contractor who works in your part of the city.