Water Damage Cleanup After An A/C Leak

Summers in Idaho Falls can sneak up on your A/C unit. And when the heat hits, it really stresses your unit. All HVAC systems need a yearly maintenance check. If you suspect that it may have a leak, it’s better to call water damage cleanup professionals like those at Restore Rite now. Allowing a leak within your home will lead to damage of the sheetrock, carpets, floors and more.

The HVAC Basics – Process And Mechanics

While you enjoy the results of your HVAC unit, you probably don’t know much about the inner workings. To start, most of us have split systems, with a) an outdoor cabinet containing a condenser coil and compressor, and b) an indoor evaporator coil, inside the furnace or air handler. 

The compressor pumps a chemical called refrigerant or Freon through the system. Warm air from inside your home is drawn into the system and blows across the indoor evaporator coil. The heat energy from the warm air transfers to the Freon inside the coil. That transfer is what “cools” the air. The Freon with the warm air is pumped back outside to the compressor, where the cycle begins again. 

Maintaining Your System

Replacing the filters monthly is the most important maintenance task that will ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner, according to energy.gov. Doing so can prevent a stressful water damage cleanup in the future. Clogged, dirty filters block normal airflow and significantly reduce a system’s efficiency. The limited airflow may carry dirt directly into the evaporator coil, reducing the heat-absorbing capacity from the coil. Replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5% to 15%.

In time, however, the evaporator coil will still collect dirt. Outdoor condenser coils will be very dirty in a dusty or leafy outdoor environment; notice if dirt is collecting on its fins. Trim foliage back and tidy up to allow for adequate airflow around the condenser.

The aluminum fins on the evaporator and condenser coils are easily bent and can block airflow through the coil. Air conditioning wholesalers sell a tool called a “fin comb” that will combine these fins back into nearly original condition. When the gas evaporates, it cools the nearby air beyond dew point and so condensation occurs. Usually this water drips into a pan beneath the evaporator and runs under gravity to the outside of your building via a pipe. So, if there is a pipe next to the outdoor unit that drips water, this is perfectly normal. 

However if the indoor unit has a musty smell, or the ducts suddenly start leaking water, it means that there is a problem with the system. Make sure the condensate pan drains well to stay clean and dry; the pan could overflow and leak into your home. Get it serviced by your water damage cleanup professionals immediately to prevent damage.

Watch Out For Mold Growth

HVAC systems combine all of the ingredients needed for mold growth ( organic material- in the form of dust, high humidity, and water) perfectly inside one mechanical system. Most units are located out-of-sight areas: hidden corners of the yard, attics, basements, crawl spaces. When out of sight, any leaks and visible microbial growth are more difficult to notice. Then all indoor air flow is channeled through the mechanical HVAC system and any mold spores going to be blown throughout your home.

Water Damage Cleanup In Idaho Falls

Call Restore Rite, available 24 hours a day to clean up minor or major water disasters in Idaho Falls. Whether  water came in the windows, a broken pipe, or a hole in the roof, you will need professional, certified and experienced water damage cleanup help.