North Shore Drain & Sewer Specialists

Top-Rated Drain & Sewer Services in Gloucester, MA

Name: Spencer Home Services
Price range: $$

Drain & Sewer emergency? We dispatch to Gloucester the same day — most calls reached within about two hours.

978-293-5770

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Service Details

4.9 ★★★★★ 1100+ reviews

Licensed MA Plumbers

Family-Owned Since 1981

Same-Day Service

Services We Offer in Gloucester

Cleaning & Clogs

Slow drains, backups and blocked main lines.

Inspection & Diagnostics

Finding the problem before anyone digs.

Sewer Camera Inspection

Trenchless & Replacement

Relining and replacing the line itself.

978-293-5770Talk to the office All Drain & Sewer Services13 services

Local systems

Gloucester systems & permits

Gloucester's collection system is unusual and worth understanding before anyone digs. Roughly 60 miles of gravity sewer are paired with about 30 miles of force main and low-pressure sewer, 29 pump stations, 1,265 septic tank effluent pumps and 402 grinder pumps. Sixty-three percent of the city's land area is not sewered at all and runs on Title 5 systems, governed since March 2025 by local Board of Health rules stricter than the state's. Four combined sewer outfalls still discharge to Gloucester Inner Harbor and Harbor Cove, and any work in a public right-of-way requires a City of Gloucester drainlayer licence.

Sources: gloucester-ma.gov

Spencer Home Services plumbing services - water leak pipe repair — Excavating to reach a damaged underground line.

Gloucester's wastewater system comprises approximately 60 miles of gravity sewers, 30 miles of force mains and low-pressure sewers, 1,800 manholes, 1,265 individual septic tank effluent pumps (STEP), 402 grinder pumps, one double barrel siphon, 29 pump stations and one wastewater treatment plant.

A third of Gloucester's sewer length is pressurised rather than gravity. A blockage on a low-pressure or STEP-served street behaves nothing like a gravity main backup, and diagnosing it as one wastes the customer's time and money.

Gloucester's Board of Health adopted local On-Site Wastewater System Regulations by majority vote at a public hearing on 10 March 2025, effective immediately. The preamble states the rules are more stringent than Title 5 because conditions in Gloucester include shallow depth to bedrock, rapidly percolating soils, high ground water tables, extensive freshwater and saltwater resource areas, fractured bedrock, many old septic systems that fail Title 5 inspection criteria, shellfish resources, poorly flushed rivers and embayments, and private drinking water wells. Section 351.02 requires a function check at least once every 3.5 years and each time a system is pumped; commercial systems must be pumped annually.

Gloucester requires a recurring 3.5-year function check, which state Title 5 alone does not. Homeowners who believe an inspection is only needed at sale are wrong here, and the fractured bedrock and rapid percolation the city cites are the physical reasons repairs are harder on Cape Ann than inland.

Under Section 601 of Gloucester's On-Site Wastewater System Regulations, any building renovation on a property with a septic system built before 1995 must include a passed Title 5 inspection with the building permit application. If the building has been uninhabited for three years or more, the system must be brought to Maximum Feasible Compliance as part of the renovation. Expanding a dwelling or accessory building by 25 percent or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less, requires evidence of a valid system inspection within the previous 3.5 years.

In Gloucester a septic inspection can gate an ordinary renovation permit. Anyone planning a kitchen, bath or addition on a pre-1995 system needs the inspection scheduled at the front of the project, not after the permit is refused.

A City of Gloucester drainlayer licence is required to install, connect or repair public or private sanitary sewer lines, storm water collection lines, or water distribution lines in a right-of-way, under regulations promulgated pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 83 Section 10 (effective 2002, updated 1 January 2024). Requirements include $1,000,000/$2,000,000 casualty and liability insurance naming the city as additional insured, a $5,000 road opening bond, an additional $25,000 bond for anyone licensed to install STEP sewer components, a DPS hoisting licence, three letters of reference and a $100 fee. Applications are accepted only between 1 January and 1 March each year, and a licensed drainlayer must be present at all times for the work. Contractors holding a current Massachusetts master or journeyman plumber licence are exempt.

Gloucester gates street-side sewer and water work behind an annual city licence with its own bonding — including a separate $25,000 bond specifically for STEP work. A homeowner should confirm the contractor appears on the city's licensed drainlayer list before any excavation in the right-of-way.

Why Gloucester Chooses Spencer

Straightforward drain & sewer work from a local team — clear pricing, licensed technicians, and appointments that actually happen when we say they will.

Licensed & Insured in Massachusetts

Every drain & sewer technician we send to Gloucester is fully licensed, insured and background-checked.

Upfront, Flat-Rate Pricing

You approve the price before any work begins. No hidden fees, no surprise charges, no overtime rates.

Same-Day Service

Same-day appointments across Gloucester and the surrounding North Shore communities.

Family-Owned and Local

A local family business, not a national call centre. The person who answers is the person who dispatches.

The Spencer Home Services team at the Peabody headquarters

978-293-5770

What Spencer Customers Say

Google reviews for Spencer Home Services.

       
 Excellent4.91108 reviews
 4.9
 Excellent1108 reviews
  Write a review 
 
 
 
       Posted on Google  
  
 
   Justin Repp 
 8 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +2
I needed a sewer line replaced on my property in Lowell. The issue was a complicated one but Will came out to assess the problem and gave me a fair price (much cheaper than another company!). Then the team of Oscar, Bryan, Paul, Julio, Cesar, and others came out and banged out the job in one (long) day. They crushed it. Highly recommend.
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
  
 
   Patrick Proctor 
 14 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +0
We found a 75 year old sewer pipe starting to leak and crack at the joints. Spencer Home Services was extremely helpful in giving an estimate and getting it repaired quickly by a skilled plumber!
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
  
 
   Courtney Landry 
 33 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +0
Thanks so much to Jesse & the entire Spencer team! From my first interaction, I was kept up to date and given the best advice on how to move forward with a water leak. The service was professional, efficient, and a pleasure. I am a repeat customer and would gladly recommend Spencer Home Services to anyone. Thank you!
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
  
 
   Mason Gohl 
 36 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +1
Jesse was great.  He showed up and got the job done.  SPH was very communicative which meant no worries!  Very happy.
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
  
 
   Ryan Penney 
 53 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +2
I Called Spencer yesterday with a sewer issue at my Clients home. They came out, assessed the job. Laid out all the options to the client. Had a price back in less than an hour. Client accepted the price, signed the contract, and the job was completed Today by 3:00. Professionals from the beginning and all the way through until the end.
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
  
 
   Weihai Chen 
 70 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +1
I had an excellent experience with Spencer Home Services replacing my main water line — nearly 200 feet long! The crew worked efficiently and managed to finish everything within a single day, which was very impressive. The pricing was great, and the team went above and beyond with the cleanup and grading afterward — the yard looked neat and well-restored when they were done. Special thanks to Bryan Paul, Julio, Brian, Oscar, and Cesar for their professionalism, hard work, and attention to detail. I highly recommend Spencer Home Services for anyone looking for reliable and high-quality service! --------------- 7/16/26 Great company, actually stands by their warranty! Spencer Home Services put in a new main sewer line for me last August. Over the winter, the street patch settled a bit and started turning into a pothole. I called them up to see if they’d fix it under their warranty, and they were awesome about it. First, they sent someone out two weeks ago to run a camera down the whole pipe. They wanted to make sure the shifting dirt didn't cause any sagging or bellies underground, and they did the inspection with absolutely no pushback or extra fees. Once we confirmed the pipe was in perfect shape, they scheduled a crew to come back today to fix the road. They cut a clean square and put down a really solid, hot asphalt patch that's completely level with the street. It's rare to find a company that actually stands by their work and coordinates everything without a fight. Highly recommend them!
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
  
 
   Steven Murphy 
 84 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +3
I had two projects done at my property. One was reline my sewer line and install a line for a basement half bathroom. The other was replacing my hot water storage tank. The worker quality was excellent, the only problem I had was finding the offices to pay off the work
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
  
 
   karen mancuso 
 93 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +0
I had 2 mini split systems installed in my townhome on the second and third floors. The work was done carefully and with good attention to details both outside and inside by Charles Barragan and John Sacharczyk. They provided thorough instruction with demonstrations on how to operate the systems with a remote regarding all modes, options etc . I am extremely pleased with the service from Spencer Home Service from estimate to completion. Charles and John provided  high quality work and were in a pleasure to work with.
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
  
 
   antonio trujillo 
 118 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +2
Rapidez, profesionalismo, puntualidad y conocimiento del trabajo a realizar. Thanks Steve Cunha.
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
  
 
   Sarah Wessel Whitaker 
 194 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +1
We had our old cast iron/ceramic sewer pipe lined, and are very happy with the result! Oscar and Cesar were knowledgeable and friendly and were happy to show us what was going on as they were working on things. The quoting and scheduling process were straightforward too and everyone at Spencer home services was very responsive.
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
  
 
   W C 
 211 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +5
I couldn’t be more grateful for the team from Spencer who came out after Monday’s blizzard to complete our CIPP sewer line repair. Oscar, Cesar, Chuck, and Bryan (who plowed out the driveway) were outstanding from start to finish! They addressed a sewer line with multiple root intrusions that had been causing blockages, as well as a cavity in the old cast iron pipe that was allowing runoff to leak back through the foundation and into the house. The team thoroughly prepped the line by clearing the roots and descaling the pipe. Once done, they shot the new pipe in and cured it so that we have a single continuous sewer line pipe to the city main. They also removed the aging cast iron wye connection and replaced it with a new PVC fitting. Throughout the entire process, they were incredibly kind, patient, and professional. I asked a lot of questions, and they were happy to walk me through everything - from the materials being used, to how measurements are taken, how the resin is applied, and how the curing process works. I truly appreciated the education and transparency. I now have a much better understanding of my home’s sewer system and the work that was done. They were also very respectful of our home, keeping the work areas clean and carefully protecting our light-colored carpet with drop cloths. After the work was done, they cleaned up everything and it was almost like they weren't here at all. They treated our home like it was their own. Also, thank you as well to Rich, who came out on Saturday to assess the situation and scope the line, and to Angel and the front office staff who answered my questions over the weekend on timing for the job and if a plow would be possible. Every person I spoke with was friendly, responsive, and understanding. An exceptional team and an excellent experience all around - highly recommend!
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
  
 
   Matt Grant 
 247 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +0
My water main broke New Year’s Eve night called Spencer and the guys were out in no time. Excellent experience from Bryan , Paul ,Ceaser , and Julio guy’s absolutely killed it. Looks like nothing even happened had water back up by the ball drop appreciate you guys fantastic work!!
  
 
 
 
 
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Drain & Sewer FAQs in Gloucester

What is trenchless sewer repair and how does it work?

Trenchless sewer repair uses advanced technology to fix or replace damaged sewer lines without digging up your yard, driveway, or landscaping. Spencer Home Services offers two primary methods: CIPP lining (inserting a resin-coated liner that cures inside your existing pipe) and pipe bursting (breaking the old pipe while pulling a new one through). Both methods require only 1-2 small access points instead of a full trench. Most repairs are completed in a single day.

How much does trenchless sewer repair cost in Gloucester?

How long does trenchless pipe repair take?

Do you offer free sewer camera inspections in Gloucester?

How quickly can you get to Gloucester for a sewer emergency?

How quickly can a drain & sewer technician get to Gloucester?

Still have a question? 978-293-5770