Norfolk’s rowhouses in Ghent, its brick bungalows in Riverview, and its newer downtown developments all present different plumbing challenges, and Hats Off Heating and Cooling has the experience to handle whatever a Norfolk home throws our way. As one of the oldest cities in Virginia, Norfolk’s plumbing infrastructure spans more than a century of building practices.
Our licensed technicians bring flat rate pricing and straightforward diagnosis to every call, whether you’re near the Elizabeth River waterfront or further inland. We treat every plumbing job, large or small, with the same level of care.
Backed by our satisfaction guarantee and a two year labor warranty on installations, you can count on the work to hold up.
Norfolk’s recurrent tidal flooding is well documented, and it does more than just threaten basements during storms. Homes in low lying areas near the Elizabeth River or Lafayette River regularly experience groundwater intrusion that puts pressure on buried pipes and can accelerate corrosion in metal fittings below grade.
The city’s older housing stock compounds the issue. Rowhouses in Ghent and bungalows in Riverview, many built in the early twentieth century, often still have sections of original supply and drain lines tucked behind walls that have never been opened for inspection.
Norfolk homeowners should watch for these signs of trouble:
Given how many Norfolk homes have layered decades of plumbing work on top of each other, a thorough inspection often reveals more than the original complaint.
Basements and crawl spaces in Norfolk’s older homes tend to run damp given the city’s low elevation and proximity to multiple bodies of water. That moisture accelerates rust on water heater tanks and fittings, which is why units here often need attention sooner than the same equipment would in a drier inland setting.
Before recommending a full replacement, our technicians check whether water heater repair can resolve the issue, whether that’s a failed heating element, a faulty thermostat, or sediment buildup restricting performance.
When replacement is the better option, especially in a home prone to moisture, we discuss placement and protection measures that can extend the life of the new unit, and we back every installation with a two year labor warranty.
Norfolk’s dense urban layout means many homes share aging sewer infrastructure that dates back generations, and tree lined streets in neighborhoods like Ghent add root intrusion to the list of common drain issues. Combined with periodic flooding that can push debris back into lateral lines, drain cleaning is one of the most requested services we provide across the city.
Our full service plumbing addresses the needs of Norfolk homeowners in older and newer properties alike:
We bring specialized equipment suited to Norfolk’s older infrastructure so most jobs can be resolved without unnecessary excavation.
Last fall, Angela, a homeowner in Ghent, called us after noticing a sewage smell in her basement that seemed to come and go depending on the weather. She’d lived in the rowhouse for years and had never dealt with the issue before.
Our technician traced the smell to a dry trap in a rarely used basement floor drain, a common issue in older Norfolk homes where infrequent water flow allows the trap’s water seal to evaporate, letting sewer gas rise back up through the pipe.
We refilled the trap and installed a simple device to keep it primed going forward, resolving the smell without any major work. Angela mentioned she’d been worried it was something far more serious, and was relieved the fix was so straightforward.
In a city with over a century of building history, you want a plumber who understands what that means for your pipes. Here’s why Norfolk homeowners choose us:
We’ve worked in homes standing since before World War II and in brand new builds alike, and we bring the same care to every one.
Yes. We provide emergency plumbing service for burst pipes, major leaks, and sewer backups throughout Norfolk, including situations related to flooding. Call any time for a fast response.
This is often caused by a dry trap, which happens when a rarely used drain’s water seal evaporates and allows sewer gas to rise up. Refilling the trap usually resolves it.
Yes. Floodwater can push debris into sewer lines and put pressure on buried pipes, sometimes causing issues that show up weeks later. An inspection after a flood event is a reasonable precaution.
Absolutely. We regularly work in homes throughout Ghent, Riverview, and other historic Norfolk neighborhoods, and our technicians are experienced with the plumbing configurations common to that era.
Regular drain cleaning and periodic camera inspections can catch root intrusion early. In some cases, a plumber may recommend a root barrier or pipe lining to prevent recurring issues.
