Plumbing
Book an independent local Pro for leaks, pipes, drains, water heaters, faucets, sinks, toilets and garbage disposals.
Subcategories
Plumbing Repair
Fix leaks, damaged pipes, loose connections and other common household plumbing problems. Book an independent local Pro online.
Water Heater
Repair a water heater that has stopped heating properly, or install a replacement. Book an independent local Pro and compare profiles online.
Drain Services
Clear slow, clogged or blocked sink, tub, shower and floor drains. Book an independent local Pro, compare profiles and book online.
Plumbing Fixtures
Install, replace or repair faucets, sinks, toilets and garbage disposals. Book an independent local Pro and compare profiles online.
What plumbing covers
Plumbing is everything that brings water into the house and carries it away: the supply pipes, the drains, the fixtures and the water heater.
- A drip under the sink, a pipe that bangs when a tap closes, or a stain spreading on the ceiling below a bathroom: plumbing repair
- A tub that still holds water after every shower, or a basement floor drain that backs up: drain cleaning
- A new faucet, a toilet that keeps running, or a disposal that only hums: faucet, sink and toilet repair
- No hot water, a rusty or leaking tank, or a replacement: water heater repair and installation
Does a plumber need a license in Virginia?
Yes, for paid work. Plumbing done "for the general public for compensation" needs a DPOR tradesman license, at journeyman or master level, or supervision by someone who holds one (Va. Code § 54.1-1128, as of September 2026). A business that contracts a plumbing job worth more than $1,000 also needs a contractor license. Look the Pro up for free on DPOR's License Lookup and check that the license is current and covers plumbing.
On One Stop Pros, that check is the customer's to make. The "Before you book" notice every customer accepts says, in part:
You are responsible for evaluating whether a provider has the experience, qualifications, insurance, licences or permits appropriate or legally required for your particular project.
Water heaters and permits
Replacing a gas water heater needs a permit in Fairfax and Prince William counties, even like for like. For an electric heater of the same size in the same spot, Fairfax requires one and Prince William doesn't (as of September 2026). Elsewhere, ask your county's building department, and agree with the Pro on who pulls the permit.
How to prepare
- Clear out the cabinet under the sink, or the space around the water heater.
- Photograph the problem and the water heater's label (brand, model, size and fuel).
- Note when it started, and whether it affects one fixture or the whole house.
- For a new fixture, have it on site in its box, or agree who's buying it.
This is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A Pro who adds plumbing to their profile confirms they will take on only work they are legally authorized to do, and One Stop Pros records that statement without checking or certifying the license. Look the Pro up on DPOR's License Lookup, and ask for proof of insurance, before you book.
Only for very small jobs. Virginia's tradesman rules don't apply to work under $250 on a single-family home by someone who doesn't present themselves to the public as a plumber (Va. Code § 54.1-1131, as of September 2026). Other paid plumbing work needs a licensed plumber, or someone working under one's supervision.
Close the shut-off valve under the fixture, or the home's main water valve if the leak is in a pipe, and move belongings out of the way. Take photos of the leak and any damage, for the Pro and for your home insurer if you plan to make a claim.
Not always. Virginia's building code lets an emergency replacement start before the permit is issued, as long as the application is filed by the end of the next working day (as of September 2026). Ask the Pro who will file it.