Maintaining Your HVAC System to Prevent Water Damage

You may not give your HVAC system much thought, unless it’s failing to do its job. However, home and business owners would be remiss to ignore these systems and the potential damage they can cause when not properly maintained. Drains, pipes, and evaporator coils are all necessary for a well-functioning system. They are also common culprits behind water damage. If you begin to notice leaks or musty odors throughout your home or business, it could be an indication of an HVAC problem.

Preventing Water Damage from an HVAC System

A few basic maintenance tasks throughout the year can not only prevent water damage from your HVAC system, but they can also keep your system running more efficiently.

• Change the Air Filter – Your air filter helps keep the particles circulating through your structure clean. However, a dirty air filter can lead to stress on your HVAC system and cause the coils to freeze. While some can last longer, most air filters should be changed every month.

• Keep the Drain Line Clear – Condensation is unavoidable when running the air conditioner during warmer months. The drain line serves the critical function of moving that moisture away from the unit. When the drain line clogs, this moisture has nowhere to go and can build up, leading to leaks and damage to the system. It is important to periodically check this line and ensure that it is draining properly. In addition, you should flush it out once or twice each year.

• Clean the Condenser – The condenser is the external piece of the HVAC system located outside your home or business. As with other portions of the system, the condenser needs an occasional cleaning, as a dirty one will cause undue stress on the entire unit. Fortunately, it only needs to be cleaned annually, and its location makes it easy to do so.

• Use a Condensation Pump and Overflow Switch – A condensation pump helps move excess water from the system to the drain, helping prevent a buildup of moisture. An overflow float switch automatically shuts off power to the unit in the event that water isn’t draining properly and too much has accumulated in the drain pan.

HVAC and Water Damage Professionals

Our team at Guarantee Restoration Services understands the inner workings of your HVAC system and the potential impact it can have on your home or business should leaks occur. Water damage from these systems can cause extensive damage, lead to problems like mold, and threaten structural integrity. Whether you want to have an emergency plan in place ahead of time or need immediate help to address an emergency problem, our team can help.