Plumbing Services in Charleston, WV

Most requested plumbing services in Charleston

Start with the service that matches your problem. Services marked “Common in Charleston” are the calls local housing and conditions produce most in Charleston, WV.

• Water Line RepairCommon in CharlestonLeaks and breaks in the main line from the meter.
• Sewer Line RepairCommon in CharlestonRecurring backups, sewer odors, slow fixtures or a damaged sewer line.
• Frozen Pipe RepairCommon in CharlestonThawing frozen lines safely and fixing freeze damage.
• Emergency PlumberBurst pipes, major leaks, sewage backups and no-water situations.
• Drain CleaningSlow drains, recurring clogs and backed-up sinks, tubs and showers.
• Leak DetectionHidden leaks behind walls, ceilings or floors, or a bill that suddenly jumps.
• Water Heater RepairNo hot water, leaking tank, strange noises or uneven temperature.
• Water Heater ReplacementReplacing a failing or leaking tank heater.
• Burst Pipe RepairStopping and repairing burst or split pipes.
• Pipe RepairLeaks, corrosion, cracked lines and low pressure from damaged pipes.
• Toilet RepairRunning, clogged, leaking or weak-flushing toilets.
• Faucet Repair and ReplacementDripping, leaking or low-flow faucets.

When to call, and what to do first

For the problems Charleston, WV homeowners call about most, and why they come up here:

• Water Line Repair

  Why it comes up in Charleston: The line from the curb stop into the house is the owner's, so yard leaks and breaks are a plumber's job.

  Signs:

  Soggy yard, low pressure, meter moving with taps off

  Urgent when:

  Water surfacing or a sudden loss of pressure

  Before help arrives:

  Close the shutoff at the meter or where the line enters

  Repair or replace:

  One break: repair. Old galvanized or lead line: replace

• Sewer Line Repair

  Why it comes up in Charleston: Older neighborhoods on hillsides have aging laterals that crack and shift.

  Signs:

  Several drains slow at once, gurgling, sewage smell

  Urgent when:

  Sewage backing up into a tub, shower or floor drain

  Before help arrives:

  Stop running water; don't use chemical drain cleaners

  Repair or replace:

  One break: spot repair or lining. Collapsed line: replace

• Frozen Pipe Repair

  Why it comes up in Charleston: Winter cold snaps freeze pipes in crawlspaces and exterior walls.

  Signs:

  No water at a faucet in freezing weather; frost on a pipe

  Urgent when:

  A pipe has split or water is spraying

  Before help arrives:

  Open the faucet, warm the pipe gently; never use an open flame

  Repair or replace:

  Thawed and intact: no repair. Cracked: replace that section

Why Charleston homes need these repairs

Charleston's water comes from the Elk River, treated at West Virginia American Water's Kanawha Valley plant in the city's Triangle District. Most homes are owner-occupied, and the line from the curb stop into the house is the owner's, while the utility is replacing customer-owned lead lines it finds at no direct charge.

Local conditions behind Charleston plumbing problems

Water hardness

See below

Winter

Regular hard freezes

Plumbing code

Local