4 Tips to Keep Your Air Conditioner From Causing Water Damage

Water damage as a result of an issue with your HVAC system is more common than you would imagine!

Water damage repair is NOT how you want to start the summer season off. Even though it is mid –June and there are days when we still need to wear a coat here in Wisconsin, it is going to get HOT one of these days. What that means for most of us, is that we will be turning on and cranking up the air-conditioner. However before you crank up the A/C for the season, we wanted to share a few tips with you to make sure you’re A/C system is working correctly.

After our long and cold winter, you need to show your air conditioner some love! You can do that by following the tips below. Then when you crank up the air conditioner for those lazy hazy hot and humid days of summer (they are coming…..I promise!), all you have to do is sit back and relax and enjoy your summer.

• If you haven’t already done so, have your air conditioner inspected. If you are not already doing this, this should be done annually. The inspection should include checking the main drain, the emergency drain , the coils and the contacts. If the technician finds any problems, you should have the equipment serviced immediately.
• When the system is being inspected, ask the technician to perform an algaecide treatment. This treatment is not expensive and will discourage the growth of algae which can lead to clogged drains. Bear in mind, this treatment will only discourage the growth of algae, it will not prevent mineral deposits.
• Make a note to change your air conditioning filter monthly. Also do not allow tall grass, or shrubs to restrict flow to your outsider condenser unit. Dirty filters (as well as tall grass and shrubs) can cause air flow restrictions . Air flow restrictions will cause the evaporator coil to work harder, increasing the risk of the coil freezing over and defrosting.

• Lastly, invest in an overflow shut off device that is installed on the drain line. This device will turn off the air conditioner if the drain line backs up. Once the air conditioner turns off and you start to get warm, you will then go and investigate the problem. Without the device, you wouldn’t know about a drain back up until water started to overflowing the pan, resulting in water damage to your home.

Maintaining your air conditioner on a regular schedule will go a long way to keeping it working properly. However if you do find you have water damage as a result of a leaking air conditioner, EFWR is here to help with the water damage repair. Our staff is available 24/7 and can quickly get your home back to normal so that you can get back to enjoying a great summer in Wisconsin!

From beginning to end, we can handle 100% of the restoration process so you don’t have to. This can include content pack-outs, cleaning & storage of personal property, structural drying & mitigation, mold remediation, lead & asbestos abatement, and full re-construction services. We are licensed, bonded, and fully insured. We abide by all state and federal laws, and are certified as a “Lead Safe Renovator” with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and accredited with the IICRC.

For more information on Emergency Fire & Water Restoration, or the services we provide, give us a call at 414-810-3522, or visit our website at www.emergencyrest.com