Hot Water Heater Repair & Installation: Tank & Tankless in Butte, MT

Every comfortable home has hot water on tap, which means a functioning water heater. If your water heater isn't working the way it should in the Butte, MT area, you can rely on Lockmer Plumbing for water heater repair and replacement services.

Water heaters are durable and long-lasting appliances. It's not uncommon for older water heaters to start showing signs of wear and tear, and even newer water heaters need routine maintenance to prevent problems like scale buildup and leaks. Whether your water heater is not hot enough, leaking, or making strange noises, the Lockmer Plumbing team is here to help.

Call 406-782-2224

Water Heater Experts

Repair or Replace?

Does your water heater need to be repaired or replaced? That's a good question. Most of the time, cleaning and repair are all you'll need. But the older the unit, the more likely a replacement is in the cards.

Signs You Need Water Heater Repair

  • Leaking water heater

  • The water isn't hot enough after adjusting the temperature setting

  • Rusty or dirty hot water

  • Hot water tastes bad

  • Hot water is really slow

  • Creaking and cracking noises

  • The water heater feels excessively hot to the touch

  • The pilot light keeps going out

Signs Your Water Heater Needs Replacement

  • Frequent need for water heater repairs

  • The water heater is over 15 years old

  • Steady increase in water heater electricity use

  • Severe damage to essential parts

Your tank water heater has a set of heating coils or gas heating at the bottom of the tank. The tank heats over time to provide a reservoir of hot water. Fresh hot water is pulled from the top and new cold water is injected near the heating coils to heat new water as quickly as possible.

Problems will most likely develop when mineral deposits from water build up on the heating elements and other internal components. High pressure and mineral deposits can cause different problems, so water heaters occasionally need to be cleaned, maintained, and repaired. After a decade or two, or if a major component takes real damage. your water heater may need to be replaced. 

Water Heater Options

If you need to replace an old water heater, you have more options than you might realize. While most residential water heaters are conventional tank heaters, several different types exist:

Conventional (Tank) Water Heaters

Conventional tank water heaters are the norm. The tank fills up and stays hot.

  • Pros

    • Lots of hot water all at once

    • Can support multiple taps and appliances

  • Cons

    • Runs out of hot water

    • Not energy efficient (heating the tank all the time)

Tankless (On-Demand) Water Heaters

Tankless or on-demand water heaters have a coil around a pipe that heats water quickly as it flows through.

  • Pros

    • Rarely run out of hot water

    • Can be installed for specific areas and taps for instant hot water – Point of Use

  • Cons

    • Limited flow capacity

    • High maintenance

Solar Water Heaters

Solar water heaters heat your water using electricity from solar panels to heat a water tank.

  • Pros

    • Free hot water during the day

    • Energy-efficient and eco-friendly

  • Cons

    • High installation cost

    • Need batteries or grid electricity to work at night

Heat Pump Water Heating

Heat pump water heaters create hot water by transferring heat, the same way an AC or heat pump HVAC does

  • Pros

    • Turns your AC into a water heater

    • Can transfer heat without running the AC

    • Energy efficient

  • Cons

    • Higher initial cost

    • Doesn’t work as well in cold climates

Person using wrench to tighten pipe connection on water heater.
Empty laundry or utility room with white walls, a water heater, and white cabinetry.

Conventional Water Heater

Tankless Water Heater

Solar Water Heater

Heat Pump

Lockmer Plumbing Services

Water Heater Repair Services

Lockmer water heater repair services begin with an inspection to diagnose the problem. Once the problem is found, we will provide advice on the best solution whether that is cleaning, part replacement, and setting adjustments to get your water heater back to ship-shape and heating water the way it should.


Water Heater Replacement / Installation Services

If your water heater has reached its lifespan and/or is critically damaged, we will help you select a new water heater to meet your home's needs, remove the old unit, and provide fast, expert installation of your new water heater. Our goal is to restore your home's hot water capabilities as quickly as possible.


Water Heater Maintenance Services

Good maintenance means fewer repairs and a longer lifespan for your water heater. Lockmer Plumbing provides routine water heater cleaning and tune-ups throughout the Butte, MT area.


Adjustable wrench and open-end wrench on a wooden surface, with a yellow level tool partially visible at the top left corner.

Why Choose Lockmer Plumbing

You can trust Lockmer Plumbing with your water heater needs because of our experience, dedication to customer satisfaction, and warranty-backed quality service. Contact us whenever you have a water heater concern and schedule a maintenance, repair, or replacement service.

Schedule An Evalution

Our Promise to You

We have dedicated service staff, project staff, and office staff. When you call our office, you can speak to a person. We know how to work on projects and all the processes that go with those projects. If you call, we'll call you back. We show up when we say we are going to and finish your project in a timely manner.

Schedule a Plumbing or Heating Service

Our regular customers particularly value our honest, courteous, and thorough service work. If you need a heating and plumbing repair, call to schedule your appointment.

Call Today: (406) 782-2224