Winter storms, nor'easters and frozen lines
Hull's own emergency planning documents describe record snow in the winter of 2015 and a January 2018 nor'easter whose coastal storm surge exceeded the Blizzard of 1978. In March 2018 a series of four nor'easters caused extensive power outages and coastal flooding. The town restricted travel in and out during high tide.
For plumbing, those events matter in two ways. Houses that lose power lose heat, and pipes in cold exterior walls and crawlspaces can freeze and split. We also see a rush of calls when power returns and thawed pipes begin to leak. See burst pipe repair for the steps.
Hull at a glance
- Getting hereHull is reached from Hingham on Route 3A and Nantasket Avenue.
- Around-the-clock dispatchEmergency dispatch is available around the clock for Hull Village, Allerton and Pemberton.
- Main roadRoute 228 becomes Nantasket Avenue at the center entrance to Hull.
- WaterHull's water comes from the Weir River Water System that also serves Hingham and North Cohasset.
- Primary ZIP02045 covers the whole town.
Spring and summer: turning houses back on
When a house has been closed for part of the year, the first turn-on of the water is when hidden leaks appear. A line that cracked during a freeze may stay dry until pressure returns. Open the main slowly, check every fixture and watch the meter.
Check the water heater base for rust and the expansion tank for a waterlogged diaphragm. If the tank is leaking, see water heater replacement. Salt air corrodes steel fittings and flues faster along the water, so check them each season.
Fall: tides, basements and the sump pit
At least 60 percent of Hull's land is in the current one-percent flood zone, according to the town's planning documents. The same document notes that basement apartments and utilities are especially vulnerable to flooding, and that groundwater flooding is expected to rise with sea level. High tides and heavy rain can push water through floor drains and foundation cracks together.
A sump pump, a battery backup and a check valve on the floor drain are the main plumbing defenses. Our sump pump repair crews carry common pumps and check valves, and they route the discharge away from the foundation. If water is coming up through a drain instead of through the wall, see sewer line cleaning.
Before we arrive: if you have a burst pipe or active leak
- 1
Close the main valve
Shut the main. If the basement is taking on water, stay out of it while the power is on.
- 2
Switch off wet circuits
Turn off breakers for wet areas only if you can reach the panel dry.
- 3
Lift valuables
Move electronics, rugs and boxes above the waterline.
- 4
Call the 24/7 line
Tell us your street, whether the water is rising and whether the tide is high.
Water, sewer and aging pipes in Hull
Hull's drinking water system was described in the town's planning workshop as private and operated by Aquarion, with participants flagging pipe leaks and corrosion. More recent state water quality reporting identifies the Weir River Water System, operated by Veolia, as the system serving Hingham, Hull and North Cohasset. Either way, you should ask your water company who owns the line to your meter.
Hull has its own wastewater treatment plant and pump stations, and the town rates flood risk to them as a very high priority. A heavy storm can strain the sewer system, and the Weir River station in Hingham sends flows across the river into Hull for treatment. If a backup affects your neighbors too, tell us, because it may be a town issue.
Hull Village, Allerton, Pemberton and the ZIP code
Hull has one ZIP code, 02045, covering Hull Village, Allerton at the north end and Pemberton Point at the tip. The road ends at Windmill Point, also called Pemberton Point, and Fort Revere sits on Telegraph Hill above Stony Beach. Nantasket Beach runs along the Atlantic side, and many houses near the beach face salt spray and sand.
Narrow streets and limited parking can slow a work van, so tell us if access is tight. For nearby service, see Cohasset across the Weir River and Hingham. For repairs to a heater or tank, see water heater repair. For any emergency, dial our 24/7 line.
Hull plumbing questions
Hull is about eight miles from our Hingham base. Travel time varies with traffic, summer beach crowds and tides, and we do not promise an arrival time.
Yes. Dispatch is 24/7, including nights, weekends, holidays and storms. If water is flowing, close the main valve and call.
Stay out if the power is on, turn off the main water if a pipe is involved and call. A sump pump, backup and floor drain check valve are the usual fixes.
Yes. We dispatch to all of Hull, from Allerton in the north to Pemberton Point.
Salt air attacks exposed steel, brass and flues. Checking fittings and heater bases each season helps catch problems early.
Yes. Hull is covered by one ZIP code, 02045, which includes Hull Village, Allerton in the north, Nantasket Avenue and the beachfront, and Pemberton Point at the tip of the peninsula.