What to Do If Your HVAC Unit is Damaged by Flooding

Summertime brings tropical storm season to the Jacksonville area. Dark, heavy clouds are blowing into our sunny skies, and bringing with them bucketloads of rain. All that precipitation can cause flooding, which can do significant damage to your home and appliances.

In the case of flooding, this means your HVAC unit ends up soaked or surrounded in standing water. This can cause severe damage to the electrical portions of your air conditioning system. While most outdoor units can survive up to a foot of standing water, unseen damage can still occur in any flooding situation. It is important to contact a professional, such as Snyder Heating & Air Conditioning, for an immediate inspection.

What to Do If Your HVAC Unit is Damaged by Flooding

Should heavy rains, hail, or any other extreme weather catastrophe leave your HVAC unit awash in standing water, there are some urgent steps you should take to prevent dangerous situations and stave off further damage. Use caution as you do the following:

• Turn off all switches that provide power to your air conditioning system. If you do not feel you are safe doing this, contact a professional right away for assistance.
• Allow your HVAC unit to dry out completely. Remove all standing water from the area as best you are able. Should there be debris, remove that as well.
• Your air conditioning should remain off until a professional can inspect the unit. Even if it does not appear damaged, the electronic components inside the unit may have been compromised. Without an inspection, more damage may occur when the air conditioning is put back into use, or worse, dangerous circumstances may occur.

To Cover or Not to Cover

Knowing that water can cause damage to the inside of your HVAC system, it may be tempting to use a tarp to cover the unit in order to protect it. This can cause more damage than it prevents. Tarps and other coverings restrict airflow, which can create damage and shorten the lifespan of your HVAC unit.

Air flow is an important element in both the function and maintenance of your air conditioning system. Moving air allows any normal moisture within your system to dry out. Without the removal of that moisture, rust can occur, as can electronic damage.

Let the Pros Help

Your air conditioning unit is a large investment both in your home’s value and your family’s comfort. Exercising due caution, as well as wisely keeping up with regular maintenance will extend the life of this investment. Contact Snyder Heating & Air Conditioning today for more information about water damage, or to schedule a routine system check!