Water Damage from an AC: What to Do and How to Prevent

Water damage is no laughing matter. In the summer months, the outside temperature begins to rise and we turn the thermostat down to cool off. As the cold air is circulating and relieving everyone from the relentless summer heat, you notice the walls are wet and the roof has some slight discoloration. It’s water damage caused by your AC unit.

Unfortunately, water damage can be catastrophic and cause up to thousands of dollars in damages in homes and businesses. However, with regular maintenance, proper prevention, and knowing what to look for, water damage can be caught early or avoided altogether.

What to Do?

An attic AC unit can cause damage in everything from the ceiling to the baseboard and all along the walls. If the AC unit is a ground unit, it can damage the carpet, hardwood floors, drywall, and more. For both types of units, catching water damage early is key.

First things first, turn off the unit if you see any water leaking from it. This can help stop any damage from occurring and allow you to safely inspect what the issue may be. Clean up any of the water that has leaked and begin to dry the area. If you have resources like a wet vac or a dehumidifier, this will make cleaning and drying carpet significantly easier. If you don’t catch the damage as early as you’d like to and it looks like it will take more than a DIY size clean up job, it might be time to call in the experts. Clean and dry any leaked fluid to the best of your ability.

After the water has been dried and the area has been cleaned, now you can properly access the damage. At Trust Heating and Air, we help you evaluate what damage has been done and what the best course of action for repairing and preventing future damage is for your unit. It is important to be mindful of any damages, because if left untreated they can be dangerous and very expensive. Structural damage or mold growth can be very detrimental to health and expensive to repair.

How to Prevent?

1. 1. Annual AC Inspection: A great way to prevent water damage or other issues with your AC unit, is by having a professional regularly check the main drain and emergency drain lines for clogs, inspecting dirty coils, looking for burned contacts, and a refrigerant pressure check for any issues that might arise. This can prevent serious damage and reduce repair costs.
   2. Keep it Clean: This is simple maintenance that can be done little by little every month to prevent it from becoming a big project. Regularly changing the filter and removing and debris from around the unit can reduce the chances that the unit works harder to cool the home than it needs to and cause serious damage to your compressor.
   3. Safety Float Switch: Ask your AC Technician about installing a safety float switch to prevent excessive condensation build-up in your unit. A safety float switch will shut off the power to your AC unit in the event the drain pan overflows.

With simple preventative maintenance, water damage to your AC unit and your home is easily preventable. The professionals at Trust Heating and Air are here to help you when it comes to learning more about and making informed decisions regarding your AC unit. Our experts can help you maintain an efficient and effective AC unit and prevent damage to your house. Call or contact us today.