Portsmouth County · Portsmouth, VA
Plumbers in Portsmouth, VA
Portsmouth is in Portsmouth County, Virginia. About 97,000 people live in the 8 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 43,000 homes, 61% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built between 1940 and 1959 (30%), and that age decides most of what goes wrong with the plumbing.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- 8 ZIP codes covered
ZIP codes we cover in Portsmouth
23701, 23702, 23703, 23704, 23705, 23707, 23708, 23709
Portsmouth homes and their plumbing
Here is how Portsmouth's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 12%, 1940–1959 30%, 1960–1979 29%, 1980–1999 17%, 2000 or later 12%. With that many older homes, original galvanized supply pipe and cast iron or clay drains are still common, so leaks, rust and root intrusion come up often. Neighboring areas such as Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton are covered too.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 12% |
| 1940–1959 | 30% |
| 1960–1979 | 29% |
| 1980–1999 | 17% |
| 2000 or later | 12% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 97,246
- Housing units
- 43,214
- Single-family detached
- 61%
- Owner-occupied
- 57%
- Heated with utility gas
- 48%
- Heated with electricity
- 47%
What goes wrong in Portsmouth homes
Pre-1960 homes: galvanized pipe and cast iron
42% of homes in Portsmouth's covered ZIP codes were built before 1960, 12% of them before 1940. Houses that old often still have galvanized steel supply lines that rust closed from the inside, and cast iron or clay sewer pipe that cracks and lets roots in. Weak pressure at upstairs fixtures, brown water after a shutoff and slow drains are the usual clues. Typical fixes are whole-house repiping and a sewer camera inspection.
1960s and 70s homes reaching end of life
29% of the housing here dates from 1960 to 1979. Original copper supply lines in those homes are now 45 to 65 years old, and cast iron drains of that age scale up inside and crack. Seized shutoff valves, pinhole leaks and recurring main-line clogs are common calls. A camera inspection shows the condition of the sewer line before anyone digs.
Winter freezes
71% of homes here were built before 1980, when pipes were more often run through exterior walls and uninsulated crawl spaces. In a cold Virginia winter those are the lines that freeze and split. See frozen and burst pipe repair.
Common calls in Portsmouth
- Whole-House Repiping
- Sewer Camera Inspection
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair in Portsmouth, VA
- Water Heater Replacement
- Drain Cleaning
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair
Also available in Portsmouth: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Portsmouth at a glance
- County
- Portsmouth County
- Nearest city pages
- Virginia Beach, Newport News
- ZIP codes
- 23701, 23702, 23703, 23704, 23705, 23707, 23708, 23709
Portsmouth plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Portsmouth?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Portsmouth, Census estimates put 42% of homes as built before 1960, 29% from 1960 to 1979, 17% from 1980 to 1999 and 12% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 1940–1959 (30%).
Who licenses plumbers in Portsmouth, VA?
Virginia's Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) licenses plumbing tradesmen and contractors.
Are water heaters in Portsmouth usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 48% of homes heating with utility gas, 47% with electricity. Water heaters often use the same fuel as the home's heat, so utility gas is the most common here, but check the label on your tank before you shop for a replacement.
Guides for Portsmouth homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Carrollton (11 mi), Fort Monroe (14 mi), Smithfield (17 mi), Fort Eustis (20 mi), Poquoson (20 mi), Windsor (22 mi).
Housing, heating and population figures are US Census Bureau American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates for the ZIP code areas we cover in Portsmouth, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Portsmouth?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.