Sharon · Sump Pumps
Water in a Sharon basement after heavy rain or snowmelt? Learn where town flooding happens and where a pump should drain, then call to reach an independent local plumber.
Sharon, Massachusetts
Sharon surrounds Lake Massapoag, which drains south through the Canoe River and north through Massapoag Brook, and the town's hazard mitigation plan update names specific roads and brooks where flooding occurs. Homes in low ground near those waterways tend to be the first to feel groundwater pressing against the foundation after a long rain.
Big storms push water up all over town, though. Norfolk County was in a federal disaster for severe storms and flooding from March 12 to April 26, 2010, and the town plan lists flooding with the winter storms of February 2013 and January 2015. A sump pump moves that water out before it reaches the floor, but only if it runs and drains to the right place.
In Sharon, the right place matters twice: discharge belongs outside, away from both the foundation and the septic system. Call or send a request to reach an independent plumber who installs and repairs sump pumps in Sharon.
Recurring wet patches or a musty smell after storms mean groundwater is getting in and needs somewhere to go.
Seepage where the slab meets the foundation is a classic sign of water pressure building under the floor.
Rapid on-off cycling or a motor that runs without moving water points to a stuck float, a bad check valve, or a failing pump.
A plug-in pump stops when power does; a battery backup covers the gap during the storms that cause outages.
If pumped water collects by the foundation or flows toward the septic area, the outlet needs rerouting.
Local knowledge
The town's own planning documents show where water collects.
Named Flood Spots
The plan names Billings Street, Morse Street, Edgehill at Dedham Street, Saw Mill Pond Road, Main Street near Massapoag Brook, and School Meadow Brook at Commercial Street. If you live near one of them, a backup pump and a high-water alarm are worth discussing.
Lake Drainage
The lake drains south by way of the Canoe River and north through Massapoag Brook. Low-lying homes along those waterways can see higher groundwater after extended rain, which is exactly when a pump works hardest.
Source: Wikipedia: Sharon, Massachusetts
Flood Insurance
The town takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program, so Sharon homeowners can buy flood coverage through it. Ask your agent how a policy treats basements, since equipment and finished space are often handled differently.
Right now
Water and electricity don't mix, so start with safety.
If water reaches outlets, the panel, the boiler, or the water heater, don't wade in; call 911 or Eversource from a dry place.
If you can reach it safely, confirm the pump is plugged in and the float isn't wedged against the side of the pit.
Snow, ice, or leaves over the discharge pipe can stop the pump from moving water. Clear it if you can do so safely.
Lift boxes and stored items off the floor and photograph any damage for your insurer before cleanup starts.
What to expect
For a new installation, the plumber finds the low point of the basement, cuts the slab for a pit, and sets a pump sized for how much water comes in. The discharge line runs out through the wall with a check valve to keep water from flowing back.
Where the water ends up is the part to settle in writing. In Sharon, the discharge should end well away from the foundation and never tie into the septic tank or leaching field, which are built to treat household wastewater, not groundwater. Ask the plumber to show you the route and where the water will run on your lot.
Ask whether the job needs a permit from the Building Division and whether an electrician should add a dedicated outlet. Battery backups, alarms, and water-level sensors are worth discussing if you live near one of the flood spots the town has identified.
Hire smart
Plumbing and gas fitting in Massachusetts require a license from the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters, and most plumbing work needs a permit from the town's plumbing inspector.
Look up the plumber on the state's occupational license search before agreeing to work on your basement.
Ask what flow and lift the pump is rated for and why it fits your basement and the distance the water has to travel.
Ask whether a battery backup or a second pump makes sense for your location and how often it should be tested.
Have the estimate show where the outlet will end and confirm it stays clear of your septic system and neighbors' property.
Costs
Swapping a pump in an existing pit is the simplest job. A new pit means cutting and removing concrete, and a long discharge route or difficult digging outside adds labor.
Backup systems, alarms, and a separate electrical circuit each add to the total. Ask for a written estimate that lists the pump, any backup, the discharge run, and permit or electrical work, and compare two estimates for a first-time installation.
More help in Sharon
Every page below is written for Sharon homes. Or start from the Sharon plumbing guide.
Learning Center
A short list of the right questions tells you more about a plumber than any ad. Use these on the phone, during the site visit, and before you sign off on an estimate.
Read the guide
Massachusetts has some of the clearest plumbing rules in the country. Here is how to use them to pick a plumber with confidence, whether the job is a dripping shutoff or a full repipe.
Read the guideQuestions
Still not sure? Send a short request and a local pro can answer the specifics.
The town's hazard mitigation plan update names Billings Street, Morse Street, Edgehill at Dedham Street, Saw Mill Pond Road, Main Street near Massapoag Brook, and School Meadow Brook at Commercial Street. Basements elsewhere can still take on water when groundwater rises.
It shouldn't. Septic tanks and leaching fields are sized for household wastewater, and groundwater from a sump can overload them. Have the plumber route the discharge outside, away from the foundation and the system.
If the basement takes on water during storms, a backup is worth considering, because heavy weather and power outages often arrive together. A plumber can explain the options and how to test them.
A common habit is to pour a bucket of water into the pit every few months and before the spring thaw, then watch the pump start, empty the pit, and shut off. A pump that stays silent or keeps running needs a plumber's look while the weather is still dry.
A plumber can install or replace a sump pump, add a backup, and route the discharge. If water is coming through cracks in the foundation itself, a waterproofing contractor may also be needed.
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