SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield shares helps tips to mitigate HVAC water damage

5/3/2022 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: The water restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield share common causes of HVAC water damage and how to prevent it.

Your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system can cause serious water damage if not properly installed or maintained. For units installed outside, you risk flooding and freezing. Worse, this can cost you thousands of dollars in repairs if not promptly fixed. 

Some of the common causes of HVAC water damage are badly connected pipes, a frozen evaporator, and a clogged drain. To mitigate the risks of HVAC water damage and ensure the efficient running of your HVAC system, a proper maintenance culture is a must. 

The water damage restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield share a few important steps to take to ensure a smooth running of your air conditioner and prevent HVAC water damage.

Common Causes of HVAC Water Damage

The Condensation Drain

Condensation is produced by the evaporator coil of your air conditioning system, which is connected to your plumbing system from the unit’s main drain line. The drain to the condensate pan can get blocked, and once this happens, water might overflow and begin to seep through walls or ceilings, and things can get pretty messy from there if not promptly detected and repaired.

Condensing Furnaces

Another serious cause of water damage is a condensing furnace. This is because a condensing furnace condenses some of the moisture in the natural gas which needs to drain out somewhere. If your unit is older than what is required from the mechanical code or they aren’t functioning properly, you may have a serious problem on your hands.

Burned Contacts

Contacts are components of your air conditioner’s contactor. The contactor relays voltage to many parts of your HVAC system. If the contacts burn, that can cause serious water damage.

The good thing is, you don’t have to wait until your HVAC packs up, there are effective ways to prevent your air conditioning system from water damage.

How to Prevent HVAC Water Damage

Scheduled HVAC Inspection

One of the most important ways to prevent HVAC water damage is to carry out a routine inspection of your air conditioning system. Invite your HVAC professional to inspect your air conditioner at least twice a year. A normal routine inspection will include checking for dirty coils and burned contacts, looking at the main drain and emergency drain lines for clogs plus a refrigerant pressure check.

Change the HVAC filter regularly

One of the proven ways to prevent air conditioner water damage is regularly replacing the HVAC filter. Doing this stops the unit from overworking which can lead to freezing and defrosting of the evaporator coils. When you change the filter regularly, you can enjoy HVAC with peace of mind. But first, you’ll need to check your manual to know the type of filter you need.

Additionally, depending on the type of HVAC system and how often you use it, you should change the air filters at least twice a year with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. Consider hiring a professional to help with the replacement if the filters are inside the furnace.

Safety Float Switch

Another effective way to prevent HVAC water damage is asking your AC technician to install a safety float to stop excess condensation. A safety switch will simply shut off the power to your air conditioner if the drain pan overflows. It’s really that simple but you shouldn’t go the DIY route, let a professional handle it.

Clean the Condenser

The condenser is the exterior part of your HVAC and needs proper airflow to function efficiently. You should clean the condenser by removing any accumulated dirt at least once a year, preferably at the start of Spring. Additionally, ensure you keep plants far away from the condenser for proper airflow.

Need Professional Water Damage Restoration?

In the event that you’ve suffered water damage, and need a professional to help restore your property from water damage then you should reach out to the water restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield. Their water removal professionals provide Advanced Water Inspection, Extraction, and Drying Equipment, and are available 24/7 to attend to your residential or commercial water damage emergencies.

To speak to a water removal professional at SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield, call (915) 234-2679.