Our Service

Water Heater Repair & Replacement in Flagstaff

No hot water, a leaking tank, or rumbling noises? Bear Hug Plumbing repairs and replaces tank water heaters for homes in Flagstaff, Doney Park, Kachina Village and nearby mountain communities. We find the real problem, show you your options, and give you the price before we start.

  • Fast Water Heater Repair

  • Gas & Electric Tank Replacement

  • Serving Flagstaff & Surrounding Communities

Water heater piping service and copper plumbing repair in Flagstaff Arizona
Bear Hug Plumbing copper water heater piping installation in Flagstaff Arizona

Service Overview

Why Flagstaff Water Heaters Wear Out Faster

Flagstaff is hard on water heaters. Our hard water leaves mineral scale in the bottom of the tank, which makes the heater work harder, rumble, and wear out sooner. At 7,000 feet, gas water heaters also need to be set up correctly for altitude, or they can burn poorly and waste gas.

Bear Hug Plumbing repairs and replaces gas and electric tank water heaters throughout Flagstaff. Whether yours needs a simple part or a new unit, we will explain what we find in plain language.

Common Water Heater Repairs

  • Pilot light or igniter that won’t stay lit
  • Bad thermostat or heating element (electric)
  • Leaking temperature and pressure relief valve
  • Faulty gas control valve
  • Sediment buildup and flushing
  • Leaks at water or gas connections

Repair or Replace?

  • Repair usually makes sense for a single failed part on a heater under about 10 years old.
  • Replace usually makes sense when the tank itself leaks, the heater is 10–12+ years old, or repairs keep adding up.

Signs Your Water Heater Needs Attention

  • No hot water or not enough hot water
  • Rumbling or popping from the tank
  • Rusty or discolored hot water
  • Water pooling around the base
  • A rotten-egg smell from the hot water
  • Rising energy bills

We serve homeowners across Flagstaff with honest recommendations, quality workmanship, and dependable service.

Thinking about going tankless instead?  We will explain the pros and cons of tank and tankless water heaters and help you choose what is right for your home, not just the most expensive option.

What You Can Expect

Clear Communication. Work Done Right. No Surprises.

Working with us is straightforward. You’ll always know what’s going on, what your options are, and what to expect next.

Common Questions

If one part has failed on a heater under about 10 years old, repair usually makes sense. If the tank is leaking or the heater is older, replacement is usually the better value. We will show you both options and prices.

Most tank water heaters last about 8 to 12 years. Hard water can shorten that, so flushing the tank and checking the anode rod helps it last longer.

Rumbling or popping usually means sediment has built up in the bottom of the tank. Flushing can help, but heavy buildup on an older heater is often a sign it is near the end of its life.

On a gas heater it is often the pilot, igniter, or gas valve. On an electric heater it is often a tripped breaker, element, or thermostat. We diagnose the cause before recommending anything.

Turn off the cold water supply to the heater and shut off the gas or power to it. Then call us. A leak from the tank itself usually means it needs to be replaced.

Yes. We repair and replace both gas and electric tank water heaters, and we also install tankless systems.

Yes. At Flagstaff elevation, gas water heaters need to be set up for altitude so they burn cleanly and efficiently. We make sure yours is installed correctly.

Most replacements are finished within a day, depending on access, venting, and any code updates the installation needs.

Why Homeowners Call Us Back

Real Reviews From Real Flagstaff Homeowners

Honest service. Clear communication. A Flagstaff plumber homeowners feel confident about

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Ian Smith profile picture
Ian Smith
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I had a great experience with Mortensen Plumbing. Marty was professional, fair, and took the time to walk me through several different options for the work that needed to be done. I really appreciated that he explained everything clearly and didn’t try to push a one-size-fits-all solution. The quality of work was excellent, and the whole process was smooth from start to finish. It’s not always easy to find someone you can trust, but Marty definitely earned that trust. I would highly recommend Mortensen Plumbing to anyone looking for honest and reliable service.
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Richard Resnick profile picture
Richard Resnick
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I first hired Marty Mortensen 11 years ago, and have used his excellent services ever since. He was here again recently and quickly accessed the problem and gave me several options to fix the issue, to accommodate my budget. I trust Marty. That’s saying a LOT!
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Sheri Wadhams profile picture
Sheri Wadhams
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Marty came exactly on time! Carrie Ann and Marty are both pleasant and great to work with! I will definitely be using them for other plumbing jobs and recommend that EVERYONE in Flagstaff call them for great service! Thank you both for helping us!
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Evelyn Patterson profile picture
Evelyn Patterson
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Mortensen Plumbing was able to come within a day of the email we sent to let them know about our plumbing problem, and honored their warranty, which covered parts and labor. We appreciate their friendly and helpful service, and timeliness.
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Dean Buchenauer profile picture
Dean Buchenauer
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Marty did a professional water heater, circulating hot water pump, and water softener installation for us, correcting problems and providing us with a superior warranty, which was worth the price.
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John Harper profile picture
John Harper
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Marty was prompt, very professional, and courteous. He showed up as scheduled and worked until he got the job done. We couldn’t be happier.
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Bonnie sandor
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The best plumber ever
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scott inarizona
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Marty called and showed up on time. Got the job done with several options as to price and scope of project. Marty is a pleasure to work with.
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Real Plumbing Help From People Who Care.

From simple repairs to long-term upgrades, we show up ready to solve the problem the right way so you can get back to normal.