When the pit fills and the pump will not start, call our 24/7 emergency line at (617) 752-0573. While you wait, lift boxes and electronics off the floor, stay out of standing water near outlets, and check the plug and breaker. Emergency sump pump repair in Dedham, MA means a licensed plumber restores the pump that moves groundwater out of the basement, or installs a new one.
The pump died during a storm.
Pumps fail when you need them most, since a pump that sits idle through a dry spell gets its hardest work in a downpour. The usual culprits are a float stuck against the pit wall, a tripped breaker, a pump burned out from running dry or non-stop, and a clogged intake.
Quick checks before you call:
- Is the pump plugged in and is the outlet's GFCI button popped? Reset it once..
- Lift the float by hand. If the pump starts, the float is the problem..
- If the pump hums but does not move water, the check valve or the impeller is likely at fault..
- If the power is out in the neighborhood, the pump has no power and a battery backup matters..
Do not reach into a pit with the pump plugged in. Unplug first.
Why Dedham basements see this water.
About 19 percent of Dedham's land lies in the Flood Plain Overlay District, with the largest share in Riverdale, according to the Town's Master Plan. A state study of the Neponset watershed also calls the Manor neighborhood flood prone. Add Boston-area annual precipitation of 43.59 inches (NOAA 1991-2020, Boston Logan), and the water table in low areas can climb into a basement slab after a week of rain.
For you, the practical meaning is simple: if you live in or near those areas, assume a pump matters, test it every spring and fall by pouring a bucket of water into the pit, and consider a backup. Ask the Dedham Building Department about the overlay district before any major basement work.
Water rising in the pit? Call now, a plumber is dispatched.
Call (617) 752-0573Where sump pump water must not go.
The Town states it is illegal to discharge clean rain or groundwater into the sanitary sewer. The Town also ran a door-to-door program in 2024 and 2025 in Manor, Oakdale and Greenlodge, inspecting properties for sump pump and roof drain connections to the sanitary sewer after sewage backups were reported in homes.
The Town's sewer bylaw is Chapter 229, and its enforcement section allows civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation, according to the Town's published summary of the bylaw.
For you, the rule is plain: sump discharge must not go to the sanitary sewer. We found no Dedham bylaw naming sump pumps specifically, so we do not cite one. When we replace a pump, we look at where the discharge pipe ends and tell you if it connects to a sewer line.
Outside the house, the pipe should end well away from the foundation on your own lot, and ask the Town if you are unsure.
Pump types and what each is good for.
| Type | Where it sits | Strength | Weakness. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submersible | Inside the pit | Quiet, handles debris, cooler running | Harder to service, must be pulled. |
| Pedestal | Motor above the pit | Easy to reach, often lasts if kept dry | Louder, needs a narrower pit. |
| Battery backup | Second pump on its own battery | Works in a power cut | Battery needs testing and replacement. |
| Water-powered backup | Runs off house water pressure | No battery | Uses house water and needs enough pressure. |
A plumber can only replace or add what the pit and the discharge route allow. Ask whether the plumber brings a check valve, whether the discharge can be extended away from the foundation, and where the alarm sits.
How a plumber finds the fault.
The diagnosis starts with power, the float and the check valve, in that order, because that is where most failures sit. Next comes a bucket test: pour in water and watch the cycle. A pump that cycles every few seconds on a dry week suggests a faulty check valve letting water flow back, or a high water table.
We cannot see underground, so a pump that runs constantly may point to a broader drainage problem. For that, see basement waterproofing.
Battery backup and the next outage.
Storms that flood basements often knock out power, which is the exact moment a plain electric pump stops. A battery backup pump sits beside the main pump in the pit with its own float and battery. Ask for a unit with an alarm, since a quiet backup that drained its battery is no help. Batteries need testing every few months and replacement on a schedule your plumber can tell you.
Freeze and winter tips.
The January normal low in the Boston area is 23.1 F (NOAA 1991-2020, Boston Logan), so the discharge pipe outside can freeze solid and force the water back into the pit. Keep the outlet clear of snow and ice, and ask about a freeze-resistant outlet. For a cracked pipe, see burst pipe repair.
What a sump pump repair costs.
These are the cost drivers:
- Repair of a float or check valve versus a new pump..
- The pump you pick: horsepower, switch type and build quality..
- Whether you add a battery backup and an alarm..
- Condition of the pit, the discharge pipe and the outlet..
- Time of dispatch and access to the basement..
Homeowner policies generally cover sudden and accidental damage, but water backing up through drains or seeping from the ground often needs a specific endorsement, so ask your insurer before the next storm. Want your real number? Call (617) 752-0573.
While you wait.
- Unplug the pump before touching the pit..
- Lift belongings, appliances and boxes onto shelves or blocks..
- Do not run the washer or dishwasher, which only adds water to the problem..
- Shut off power to a flooded basement only if you can reach the panel while dry. Otherwise call the utility..
- Photograph the water line on the wall for the insurer..
Frequently asked questions.
.
Yes. The 24/7 line takes sump pump calls at night and on weekends, and storms are when most calls come in. We do not promise an arrival time on the phone because it depends on where the plumber is and how many calls are ahead. Move belongings up while you wait.
.
Not always. After heavy rain it may need to run. If it runs on a dry week, the float may be stuck, the check valve may be leaking back, or the water table may be high.
.
No. The Town says clean rain or groundwater must not go into the sanitary sewer, and it inspected homes in Manor, Oakdale and Greenlodge for those connections. Sump discharge must go outside to a suitable location on your lot.
.
About 19 percent of Dedham sits in the Flood Plain Overlay District, with Riverdale holding the largest portion. Ask the Town or check the FEMA maps for your address.
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There is no fixed number, because use varies. A pump that has run hard for many years deserves a test and a plan, and a backup is a cheap safety net.
.
Tell your landlord in writing and call us if water is rising. About 29 percent of Dedham households rent. The landlord is usually responsible for the building's pump, but check your lease.
Codes, standards and sources.
Plumbing work in Massachusetts is governed by 248 CMR 10.00, the Uniform State Plumbing Code, and plumbers are licensed by the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. You can read the state's consumer fact sheet on plumbers and gas fitters before you hire anyone.
Local facts on this page come from the Dedham-Westwood Water District, the Town of Dedham, the other towns named and Mass.gov, and were checked in October 2026. Where a fact could not be confirmed, the page says to ask the utility or the town.