Top 4 Plumbers in Chesapeake, VA

Quick Comparison

Firm	Founded / Tenure & Credentials	Services & Specialties	Geographic Focus
Central Plumbing & Heating, Inc.	1972 (founder lineage); current owner James Fanshaw (took over from his father, the founder); two-generation Fanshaw family operation; "Tidewater Virginia's Oldest Family-Owned Plumbing and Heating Installation and Repair Specialists"	VA Class A Contractor with Plumbing classification through DPOR; BBB Accredited	Chesapeake base; Tidewater Virginia (Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk)
Russell's American Mechanical	1977 (Russell Smith and wife Audrey Smith founders; originally Russell's Heating & Cooling); family-owned multi-decade Smith family operation; expanded to plumbing-electrical-generator	VA Class A Contractor with Plumbing, HVAC, Electrical classifications through DPOR; BBB Accredited	Chesapeake base; Hampton Roads (Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Norfolk)
Richardson Plumbing Co.	1988 (founder lineage); 38 years continuous family-owned operation across Tidewater	VA DPOR #2705073599 Class A Contractor with Plumbing classification; BBB Accredited	1469 Butts Station Road Chesapeake base; Chesapeake plus Tidewater
Ayers Plumbing Maintenance & Repairs	2007 (founder lineage; current owner Connie Ayers); 19 years operating tenure	VA Class A Contractor with Plumbing classification through DPOR; BBB Accredited	2256 Cedar Road Chesapeake base (23323); Chesapeake plus Hampton Roads

1. Central Plumbing & Heating, Inc.

Address: Chesapeake, VA (Tidewater service)
Phone: (757) 547-1488
Founder: Founder lineage 1972; current owner James Fanshaw (took over from his father, the founder); two-generation Fanshaw family operation; “Tidewater Virginia’s Oldest Family-Owned Plumbing and Heating Installation and Repair Specialists”
Operating Since: 1972 (54 years)
License: Virginia Class A Contractor with Plumbing classification through DPOR; BBB Accredited
Service area: Chesapeake (Greenbrier, Great Bridge, Western Branch, Indian River, Deep Creek, South Norfolk, Hickory) plus Tidewater Virginia (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk)
Website: centralplumbingandheatinginc.com

Two Fanshaw Generations Across 54 Years

Central Plumbing & Heating was founded in 1972 by the elder Fanshaw, with current owner James Fanshaw later taking over from his father. Across 54 years of continuous Fanshaw family ownership, the firm has built a sustained Tidewater Virginia reputation. The firm identifies itself as “Tidewater Virginia’s Oldest Family-Owned Plumbing and Heating Installation and Repair Specialists.” The 54-year operating tenure ranks Central Plumbing & Heating among the longest-tenured family-owned plumbing-and-heating operations in the Hampton Roads region.

Chesapeake Operating Base With Tidewater Reach

Central Plumbing & Heating operates from a Chesapeake base. The position enables rapid dispatch across Chesapeake (Greenbrier, Great Bridge, Western Branch, Indian River, Deep Creek, South Norfolk, Hickory) plus Tidewater Virginia (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk). Service depth covers plumbing-and-heating installation and repair work across residential and commercial markets.

VA Class A Contractor With Plumbing Classification

Central Plumbing & Heating operates under Virginia Class A Contractor licensing with Plumbing classification through the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). The 54-year continuous Fanshaw family operating tenure plus father-to-son transition supports a verifiable compliance record. BBB Accreditation provides third-party reputation verification.

2. Russell’s American Mechanical

Address: Chesapeake, VA (Hampton Roads service)
Phone: (757) 410-3320
Founder: Russell Smith and wife Audrey Smith (founded 1977 as Russell’s Heating & Cooling); family-owned multi-decade Smith family operation; expanded to plumbing-electrical-generator service
Operating Since: 1977 (49 years)
License: Virginia Class A Contractor with Plumbing, HVAC, and Electrical classifications through DPOR; BBB Accredited
Service area: Chesapeake plus Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Norfolk, Hampton Roads
Website: americanmechanicalva.com

49 Years of Continuous Smith Family Operation

Russell Smith and his wife Audrey Smith founded the firm in 1977 as Russell’s Heating & Cooling. Across 49 years of continuous Smith family ownership, the firm has expanded service from heating-and-cooling-only operation through plumbing, electrical, and generator service. The firm now operates as Russell’s American Mechanical, continuing the original Smith family service legacy.

Chesapeake Base With Hampton Roads Reach

Russell’s American Mechanical operates from a Chesapeake base. The position extends dispatch reach across the Hampton Roads metro including Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Portsmouth, and Norfolk. Multi-trade service depth covers HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and generator work for residential and commercial customers.

VA Class A Contractor Plus Multi-Trade Credentialing

Russell’s American Mechanical operates under Virginia Class A Contractor licensing with Plumbing, HVAC, and Electrical classifications through DPOR. Multi-trade credentialing supports unified plumbing-HVAC-electrical residential and commercial service. BBB Accreditation provides third-party reputation verification.

3. Richardson Plumbing Co.

Address: 1469 Butts Station Road, Chesapeake, VA 23320
Phone: (757) 410-1100
Founder: Founder lineage 1988; family-owned and operated; 38 years continuous Tidewater service
Operating Since: 1988 (38 years)
License: Virginia DPOR #2705073599 Class A Contractor with Plumbing classification; BBB Accredited
Service area: Chesapeake plus Tidewater Virginia (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton, Newport News)
Website: richardsonplumbingva.com

38 Years of Continuous Family-Owned Richardson Operation

Richardson Plumbing Co. was founded in 1988 as a family-owned and operated plumbing business serving the Tidewater area. Across 38 years of continuous family ownership, the firm has built a sustained Tidewater reputation centered on full-service plumbing across Chesapeake plus the broader Hampton Roads market.

Butts Station Road Chesapeake Operating Base

The 1469 Butts Station Road Chesapeake headquarters positions the firm in central Chesapeake (23320). The position brings dispatch within across Chesapeake plus Tidewater Virginia. Service depth covers full residential and commercial plumbing work.

DPOR #2705073599 Plus 38-Year Compliance Record

Richardson Plumbing operates under Virginia DPOR Class A Contractor license #2705073599 with Plumbing classification. The 38-year continuous family-owned operating tenure supports a verifiable compliance record. BBB Accreditation provides third-party reputation verification.

4. Ayers Plumbing Maintenance & Repairs

Address: 2256 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA 23323
Phone: (757) 615-1100
Founder: Founder lineage 2007 (LLC start January 1, 2007); current owner Connie Ayers; 19 years operating tenure
Operating Since: 2007 (19 years)
License: Virginia Class A Contractor with Plumbing classification through DPOR; BBB Accredited
Service area: Chesapeake plus Hampton Roads (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk)
Website: Ayers Plumbing Maintenance & Repairs

19 Years of Connie Ayers Family Operation

Ayers Plumbing Maintenance & Repairs was founded January 1, 2007 by Connie Ayers, who continues to serve as owner. Across 19 years of continuous Ayers family ownership, the firm has built a Chesapeake-supported Hampton Roads service grid covering residential and commercial plumbing maintenance and repair work.

Cedar Road Chesapeake Operating Base

The 2256 Cedar Road Chesapeake headquarters establishes the firm at zip 23323. The position opens rapid dispatch coverage across Chesapeake plus the broader Hampton Roads metro. Service depth covers residential and commercial plumbing maintenance and repair.

VA Class A Contractor Plumbing Classification Plus 19-Year Tenure

Ayers Plumbing operates under Virginia Class A Contractor licensing with Plumbing classification through DPOR. The 19-year continuous Ayers family operating tenure supports a verifiable compliance record. BBB Accreditation provides third-party reputation verification.

Reference Notes

Virginia plumbing licensing runs through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) Board for Contractors. DPOR issues Class A, Class B, and Class C contractor licenses with classifications including PLB (Plumbing), MPLB (Master Plumber), GFC (Gas Fitting), MGFC (Master Gas Fitter), CBC (Commercial Building), and RBC (Residential Building). Verification runs through the DPOR license search at dpor.virginia.gov/licenselookup. The City of Chesapeake Department of Development and Permits issues building permits within Chesapeake city limits. Chesapeake Public Utilities handles water service connections plus annual backflow-prevention testing.

Chesapeake-area residential housing reflects more than 50 years of construction since the city’s 1963 incorporation through the merger of South Norfolk and Norfolk County. Pre-1980 housing remains in South Norfolk, Indian River, Deep Creek, and the historic Great Bridge district. The 1980s-2000s drove the master-planned-community expansion that transformed Chesapeake from a rural-and-suburban area into Virginia’s third-largest city. Greenbrier, Western Branch, Hickory, Battlefield, Cahoon Plantation, Deep Creek, and the outer Chesapeake corridor account for the bulk of post-1980 residential stock. Cast-iron drain stacks, galvanized supply piping, lead service lines in pre-1940 South Norfolk housing, plus salt-air corrosion considerations for the coastal corridor shape recurring service categories. Hurricane-event flooding additionally drives sewer-and-drain service surges across the Tidewater region.

The four firms profiled cover four positions on the Chesapeake market arc. Central Plumbing & Heating leads tenure with two Fanshaw family generations across 54 years since 1972. Current owner James Fanshaw took over from his father, the founder. The firm identifies as Tidewater Virginia’s Oldest Family-Owned Plumbing and Heating Installation and Repair Specialists. Russell’s American Mechanical follows with 49 years of continuous Smith family operation since Russell and Audrey Smith founded the firm in 1977 as Russell’s Heating & Cooling. Multi-trade expansion now covers HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and generator service. Richardson Plumbing Co. brings 38 years of continuous family ownership since 1988 from a 1469 Butts Station Road Chesapeake base under DPOR #2705073599. Ayers Plumbing runs 19 years of family ownership since Connie Ayers founded the firm in 2007 from a Cedar Road Chesapeake base.

Verification paths run through dpor.virginia.gov/licenselookup, BBB Hampton Roads listings, the PHCC of Virginia directory, and the City of Chesapeake Department of Development and Permits contractor records. Two-generation Tidewater plumbing-and-heating service since 1972 fits Central Plumbing & Heating. Multi-trade Smith family service since 1977 fits Russell’s American Mechanical. Tidewater plumbing service since 1988 fits Richardson Plumbing Co. Two-decade Cedar Road Chesapeake family-owned service since 2007 fits Ayers Plumbing. National rollup brands operating in Hampton Roads (Authority Brands’ Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Neighborly’s Mr. Rooter, Service Experts, Roto-Rooter, Wrench Group, Redwood Services, Master Trades Group, ARS, Apex Service Partners, Turnpoint Services) sit outside the four-firm independent profile. Lindsey Brothers (1966; profiled in the Norfolk directory) and Tony & Son Plumbing (1981; profiled in the Virginia Beach directory) cover additional historic Hampton Roads operators outside this Chesapeake list.

Selection Methodology

Selection follows four criteria. First, continuous family ownership or founder-operator continuity outside the national rollup pattern. Second, verifiable Virginia DPOR Class A or Class B Contractor license with Plumbing classification cross-checked through the DPOR public lookup. Third, BBB Accreditation or equivalent third-party rating. Fourth, minimum 10-year continuous operating tenure with documented Chesapeake service coverage. Firms acquired by national franchise networks (Authority Brands’ Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Neighborly’s Mr. Rooter, Service Experts, Roto-Rooter, Wrench Group, Redwood Services, Master Trades Group, ARS, Turnpoint Services) are excluded.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I verify a Chesapeake plumber’s license?

Use the Virginia DPOR license search at dpor.virginia.gov/licenselookup. Search by license number or business name. Confirm active Class A or Class B Contractor status with Plumbing (PLB or MPLB) classification, expiration date, and bonding before authorizing work.

What credentials should a Chesapeake plumber hold?

At minimum: Virginia DPOR Class A or Class B Contractor with Plumbing (PLB or MPLB) classification plus general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. Specialty work (gas line, backflow prevention, fire sprinkler, sewer lateral, boiler service) may require additional MGFC, GFC, or other classification layers.

How can I tell if a Chesapeake plumber is locally owned versus a national rollup?

Check ownership disclosures and acquisition history. National franchise brands typically operate under parent-company branding. Search the firm name plus “acquired” or “parent company” to surface ownership structure. The four firms in this directory all run as independent locally-owned operators.

When should I call an emergency plumber in Chesapeake?

Burst pipes, sewer backups, gas leaks, no-water events, hurricane-flooding-related drain backups, and water heater failures justify after-hours dispatch. Salt-air corrosion plus hurricane-season storm surge events drive seasonal service demand across the coastal Hampton Roads corridor. Each firm in this directory offers either 24/7 emergency service or structured after-hours response.

Editorial Note

Compiled by the editorial team. Firm details cross-verified through state license databases, BBB business profiles, and firm-published websites where available. License numbers should be re-verified through the Virginia DPOR public lookup before authorizing work. Information current as of the date below; firm details may change without notice. Last updated: 2026-05-10.