Homeowner cannot reliably diagnose and repair a water heater leak, leading to wasted time and repeated failed attempts.

Workarounds Described

• Called electrician father-in-law for remote diagnosis
• Took off access panel and checked insulation wetness manually
• Replaced heating elements using a purchased kit and socket
• Left fan on insulation overnight and waited to see if leak stopped

Implied Software Gaps

• Mobile app providing structured diagnostic steps with clear go/no-go criteria for tank failure vs. element/gasket leak

FixFlow: Water Heater Diagnostics

FixFlow is a mobile app that guides homeowners step-by-step through diagnosing water heater problems. It uses interactive decision trees, audio/video tutorials, and part-specific advice to help users correctly identify whether a repair is DIY-save or requires replacement, reducing trial-and-error and wasted trips to the store.

Existing Solutions Mentioned