Since starting his Connor Group career in 2021, you’d think lead tech Adam Hutchinson has seen it all. He’s been named a finalist for our National Top Battle Grounds award and grown as a cultural leader in the Indianapolis market by facing ice storms, flooded apartments, bursting pipes and more. But, it was his time at Domain at Bennett Farms when he discovered a solution to something he’d never seen before.
For Loop’s latest edition of Fix v. Replace, Adam recalls when he first discovered the affects of hard water, specifically the havoc it can wreak on major appliances. Coming from Colorado, where the calcium buildup from hard water is less of an issue compared to Indiana, Adam had to rely on his skills and resources to come up with the right solution. We asked him to tell us about it in his own words.
What was the issue?
In Indiana, we have hard water which can cause calcium chunks to build up in the lower portion of the hot water tanks. This makes it seem like you have no hot water, or perhaps a bad heating element.
What tools were required to complete the fix?
We used a shop vac and a garden hose to drain the water tank into the floor drain until it was below the heating element. Next, we vacuumed as much calcium chunks as possible from the bottom of the tank.
How long does it take to complete?
This process takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes.
Who helped you during the process?
It was partner and lead tech Phil Cyphers who showed me this fix. Our manager Courtney Vecheck encouraged us to focus on a time-oriented solution to fix it right the first time and avoid having callbacks. It’s the best possible outcome for providing great customer service.
What was the ultimate savings?
For under an hours’ worth of work and at most, a new heating element- we saved at least $1,000 from not buying a new water heater but we also extended its life through appropriate preventative maintenance.
What did you learn?
I learned that thinking simple and being aware of cost-oriented solutions can save thousands of dollars in the long run.
What advice to you have for other techs?
It’s always best to try fixing something first. Even if a mistake is made while trying, you’ll learn from it.