Storms on the Farmington River and what they did to Simsbury basements
Simsbury sits along the Farmington River, and the town's own hazard page records what heavy weather does here. The same river that gives the town its character also sends water into low roads and basements. Those records are the best guide to when our phone rings.
| Event | What the town record says | What it means for your house |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Irene | Route 185 closed at East Weatogue Street, and Riverside Road and Town Forest Road flooded | Low-lying streets can flood fast, so test your pump before the forecast |
| Superstorm Sandy | A Route 315 closure isolated Tariffville | Plan for a day when help cannot drive in, and close your shutoffs early |
| Elm Street flash flood | Route 189 flooding limited access between Tariffville and Bloomfield | Tell dispatch your exact route when you call |
| Summer 2021 storms | Drainage was overwhelmed and Lucy Brook overtopped East Weatogue Street | Yard water can reach foundations even away from the river |
| Riverside Road basements | Basements flood when power is cut and sump pumps fail | A pump with no backup power is only half a plan |
Sump pump readiness before the next storm
A sump pump is only as good as its power supply, and the Riverside Road record says so plainly. A pump that works on a dry day can still fail in the one hour you need it. A short check each season beats a flooded basement.
Test the float
Pour a bucket of water into the pit and watch the pump start and shut off. A pump that hums but does not move water needs service.
Check the discharge
Follow the outlet pipe outside and make sure it runs clear and drains away from the foundation, not back toward it.
Plan for a power cut
A battery backup keeps the pump running when the grid is down. Ask about this when you schedule sump pump installation and repair.
Look at the walls
Seepage at the floor joint or a damp line on the wall points to a drainage problem that a pump alone may not fix. That is where basement waterproofing comes in.
The power cut is the real trigger
The town's flood page ties Riverside Road basement flooding to two things happening together: the power goes out and the sump pump stops. Heavy rain alone is often manageable. Rain plus no power is what fills a basement.
If water is already rising, stay out of the basement when outlets or the panel are wet, and call the 24/7 line. We handle storm flooding around the clock, with same-day appointments when available.
Water rising in a Simsbury basement right now?
Keep out of any room with standing water near outlets, move valuables up, and call the 24/7 line. Licensed and insured plumbers cover storm emergencies day and night, and you get a clear price before work starts.
Hard water and your water heater: Aquarion's 10 gpg average
Aquarion's 2025 water quality report for its Simsbury Regional system lists average hardness at 10 grains per gallon, with a range from 4 to 16. The system draws from eight wells in town. That figure applies only to the Aquarion system, so it does not describe the Tariffville system or a private well.
Minerals at that level can settle as scale in a tank water heater and on faucets and shower heads. If your tank rumbles when it heats, scale is a likely cause. Ask us about flushing the tank during water heater repair, and test your own tap if you are on a private well, because the report does not cover it.
Who supplies your water, and who handles your waste
The town says it does not supply water. Aquarion serves most addresses, while Connecticut Water and Tariffville's own water system cover parts of town. Knowing which one you have tells you who to call for a street-side problem.
On town sewer
The Water Pollution Control Department runs the collection system and plant at 36 Drake Hill, phone (860) 658-1380. If a backup hits several neighbors, call them as well as us.
On septic
Sewer serves about half of the town's populated area, so roughly the other half is on septic. A septic backup is a different repair than a sewer lateral, and we sort that out on site.
On a private well
Wells fall under the Farmington Valley Health District, (860) 352-2333. We repair the plumbing side, such as pressure tanks and household piping, and the district handles well approvals.
Village by village: 06070, 06081, 06089 and 06092
Simsbury is a set of villages, not one downtown. The town plan names Simsbury Center, Tariffville, Weatogue Center, Hoskins and West Simsbury, plus the historic districts of Terry's Plain and East Weatogue. We take calls for ZIP 06070, Tariffville 06081, Weatogue 06089 and West Simsbury 06092.
Pairing the villages with the work, leak detection is a frequent request when a water bill jumps or a wall feels damp, and water heaters and sump pumps follow. Simsbury Farms, the 235-acre town recreation complex at 933 Hopmeadow Street, is a handy landmark when you give us directions. Talcott Mountain State Park, home of Heublein Tower, is another easy reference point for a 06070 address.
Burst pipes and active leaks: what to do first
Before we arrive
In a Simsbury house, a split pipe can run for hours before anyone notices, especially in a finished basement or on a second floor.
Close the main shutoff
Turn the main valve clockwise. If the pipe is on a well pressure tank, switch the pump off at its breaker as well.
Stop using fixtures
Do not run taps or flush while we are on the way. Drain what you can from the lowest tap to relieve pressure.
Protect the electrical system
If water has reached outlets or the panel, stay out and shut off power only where the breaker box is dry.
Document and call
Take photos for your insurer, lift valuables off the floor, and call the 24/7 line. We will tell you what to do while you wait.
Gas, permits and neighboring towns
Connecticut Natural Gas lists Simsbury in its service area, but the list does not say whether the whole town is covered, so check your street. If you smell gas, leave the building first, then call the gas utility or 911 before you call us.
The Building Department runs an online permit center, but the page we reviewed does not spell out plumbing permit rules. Ask the department whether your job needs one, and we will tell you before work starts. Our crews also cover Avon and Windsor. For any emergency you can Call (860) 397-8103 at any hour.
CT Department of Consumer Protection standards for license scope separate unlimited P-1 and P-2 plumbing licenses from limited P-6 and P-7 sewer, storm and water licenses. Ask any contractor which license covers your job, and check it on the state's eLicense lookup.
Simsbury, CT service area
Coverage spans the villages along the Farmington River.
Simsbury plumbing questions
Yes. We cover 06070 for Simsbury Center along Hopmeadow Street, 06081 for Tariffville, the village that Route 315 flooding isolated during Sandy, 06089 for Weatogue near East Weatogue Street, and 06092 for West Simsbury. The state's post office list shows these names, and the Postal Service has the final say, so tell us your street if you are unsure.
Yes. Our 24/7 line takes storm flooding, burst pipes, failed sump pumps and dead water heaters at any hour. Licensed and insured plumbers dispatch around the clock, with same-day appointments when available. We do not promise an arrival time during storms because roads can close.
Aquarion's 2025 report for its Simsbury Regional system gives an average of 10 grains per gallon, with a range of 4 to 16. That covers Aquarion customers only. Tariffville and private wells may differ, so test your tap if you are not on Aquarion.
The town sewer serves about half of the populated area, so many homes are on septic. Call the Water Pollution Control Department at (860) 658-1380 to check your address. We can also tell from the cleanout and the pipe layout on site.
Test the sump pump with a bucket of water, clear the discharge line, and ask about battery backup. The town's record says Riverside Road basements flood when power is cut and pumps fail, so backup power matters most.