Flooding or Hail Can Result in Big Damage to Your Air Conditioning System

Air conditioners are built to endure precipitation, like rain and snow. However, if your outdoor air conditioner is drenched in standing water from a large downpour, this can critically damage the electrical components inside. Your cooling is most likely to get damaged if the floodwater reaches a foot deep. Still, if the equipment has flooded at all, call Norrell Service Experts at 205-267-0023 for an air conditioning inspection.

If severe flooding has occurred or is likely to occur, follow these directions to avoid hurting your air conditioner or generating dangerous operating conditions.

Before Flooding

Don’t cover your air conditioner with anything. A plastic sheet won’t protect it from water. Instead, it will trap moisture inside, promote rust, hasten mold growth and give pests a place to hide.

If you are in a flood-prone spot, consider placing your air conditioner on an elevated floor. This elevates the system above possible floodwaters and can save you trouble and expense when you have to deal with the next downpour.

Another approach to protect your air conditioning unit is to place a retaining wall around it. This technique can help you avoid air conditioner flooding, even as water flows around it. Similarly, you can stack sandbags around the equipment when you know a storm is on the way.

If hail is in the forecast, you can lay pieces of plywood across the top of the air conditioner to protect it from hail damage. Weigh the plywood down securely with stones or bricks in case the wind begins gusting.

During Flooding

Don’t run your system while it’s submerged in water. Doing so may lead to an electrical shock hazard or even destroy the internal system components.

To prevent this damage, disconnect the power to the air conditioning and thermostat. The easiest method for doing this is to go to the HVAC and thermostat breakers in your junction box and flip them to the “off” position. If you need a second opinion, contact an air conditioning service company like Norrell Service Experts.

After Flooding

Once the rain subsides, you want your system to dry out swiftly. Remove standing water, if possible, and pick up any debris from the nearby area.

Don’t turn on the system until it has been reviewed by an HVAC expert. Even after it has dried out, using flood-damaged equipment could cause the same hazards as switching on the air conditioning while it’s still under the water. Some problems take days or weeks to begin revealing symptoms, so it’s smart to keep your unit turned off until you receive the all-clear from an HVAC technician.

While you wait for your appointment, read through your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if flood damage covers your outdoor AC system. If so, take pictures of the damage and present your claim as soon as possible. If you don’t have flood insurance, you could still be covered if the air conditioner has experienced wind or hail damage.

Schedule an Air Conditioning Flooding Inspection with Norrell Service Experts

For a full air conditioning inspection and safety check right away.