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Chesapeake city · Virginia Beach–Chesapeake–Norfolk metro

Plumbing Services in Chesapeake, VA

Frozen PipesStorms

Chesapeake is one of Virginia's largest cities by land area, mixing suburbs, farmland and wetlands. Its water depends on where you live: the city runs two treatment plants and buys treated water from Norfolk and Portsmouth for other areas. Flat, low ground and high water tables shape drainage and sewer calls.

Chesapeake plumbing at a glance

The most common plumbing calls in Chesapeake, VA are sump pump repair and installation, sewer line repair and water heater replacement. The median home was built in 1988, and 35% of homes predate 1980.

Call (833) 878-1592Plumbing help in Chesapeake and Chesapeake city
Single-family house on a residential road
Median home built
1988
Built before 1980
35%
Owner-occupied
72%
Water hardness
See below
Winter
Regular hard freezes
Plumbing code
Local

What Chesapeake homeowners call plumbers about

Emergency plumbing in Chesapeake

Call (833) 878-1592

Shut off your main water supply if it's safe to do so. The emergencies below are listed most likely first for Chesapeake homes, based on local conditions.

Frozen pipe risk in Chesapeake

Regular hard freezes · median home built 1988

Before winter:Winterizing checklistOutdoor faucetsFind your shutoff
If a pipe freezes:Frozen pipe repairBurst pipe repairNo water

Where Chesapeake's water comes from

Chesapeake produces about 15 million gallons a day from the Northwest River Water Treatment Plant, which treats river water and brackish groundwater from four wells, and the Lake Gaston Water Treatment Plant; customers in Indian River and South Norfolk receive treated water bought from Norfolk, and Western Branch and Deep Creek from Portsmouth. [1]

Polybutylene-era homes in Chesapeake

The median home in Chesapeake was built in 1988, and 35% of homes predate 1980. Homes from that era were typically built with copper or CPVC supply, plastic drains, and in some homes gray polybutylene supply pipe.

Median home: 1988
1900195020002025
  • Galvanized steel supply (1900–1960)
  • Copper supply (1950–2000)
  • Polybutylene (some homes) (1978–1996)
  • PEX / CPVC (1995–today)
Typical supply-pipe materials by construction year. Many older homes have been partly repiped since.
Common projects in homes like these:Polybutylene and repipingWater heater replacementWater heater lifespan

Heavy rain and storms

After storms:Sewer backupBasement floodingSump pumps

Plumbing services for Chesapeake homes

Or start from:Plumbing problemsEmergencies

Every plumbing service in Chesapeake

Services marked “Chesapeake guide” have a page on local rules and conditions; the rest link to the full service guide, which applies here too.

Chesapeake plumbing questions

Why does Chesapeake water taste different in different neighborhoods?

Because it comes from different places. Southern areas usually get Northwest River plant water, Indian River and South Norfolk get water bought from Norfolk, and Western Branch and Deep Creek get Portsmouth water.

Does Chesapeake treat salty groundwater?

Yes. The Northwest River plant treats brackish water from four wells along South Battlefield Boulevard in addition to river water.

How do I keep a Chesapeake crawlspace dry?

Keep gutters and downspouts discharging well away from the foundation, make sure the sump pump starts when you pour water in its pit, and have a plumber check for leaking supply or drain lines, since standing water under a house speeds rot and mold.

Are hurricanes a plumbing risk in Chesapeake?

Storm surge and heavy rain can back sewers into low fixtures and flood crawlspace equipment. A backwater valve and raising the water heater and well or sump equipment above expected water levels reduce damage.

Sources (2)
  1. U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
  2. City of Chesapeake, Plants & Sources · checked 2026-10-04
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