After a flood, there can be damage to multiple areas of your home and property. Wrecked siding, soaked drywall, and carpets coated in mud are just a few catastrophes that come with a flood. What isn’t always visible is the devastation that can happen to your HVAC system after a flood. An HVAC inspection is the best way to determine the amount of damage to your unit and if an HVAC repair is necessary.
Starting Your HVAC After a Flood
Things aren’t always what they seem when it comes to your heating and cooling system. After a flood, your outdoor and indoor unit may look completely normal. However, there could be serious problems and safety concerns that you can’t see visibly. Call an experienced professional from Douglas Cooling & Heating to perform an HVAC inspection before you start your heating and air unit. Below are a few HVAC areas that can be affected by a flood:
- Flooded Outdoor Equipment: The electronic wiring for heat pump systems and split air conditioners travel between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. They also contain condenser coils and piping for the refrigerant that runs from outside to inside.
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- If the unit is running during a flood, the electrical components may be damaged. You may experience malfunctions from fuses, wiring, and circuits that have shorted due to contact with water. Hold off on doing anything if there are shorts in your outdoor unit. Call an expert HVAC technician to inspect your flooded HVAC system to prevent electrocution or complete breakdown of your unit.
- Flood water damages the condenser coil. Dirt, grime, and other debris can cling to the coil and reduce its efficiency. An inefficient, dirty condenser coil leads to premature failure of your entire system. An HVAC inspection can determine how damaged your condenser coil is and if an HVAC repair is needed to boost efficiency.
- The refrigerant lines of a split system can break after flooding because the indoor or outdoor unit may be moved. Both components will require significant HVAC repair to fix the line or, worst-case scenario, a full replacement.
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- Flooded Indoor Equipment: A flooded HVAC system inside is extremely dangerous. The valves and controls on a natural gas furnace are vulnerable to water damage. The damage is hard to detect, especially when the outside of the unit is dry. Corrosion from water damage builds inside the valves, controls, and electrical components of the indoor system. Without an HVAC inspection, the damage will result in immediate problems with operation and reliability in the long run.
- Damaged Ductwork: Forced-air heating and cooling systems rely on proper airflow through ductwork. You should not salvage damaged ductwork. Flood water carries all sorts of bacteria and other contaminants that are a health risk to your family. A Douglas Cooling & Heating professional should inspect your ductwork and determine what contaminated ductwork should be replaced. During an HVAC repair on your ductwork, Douglas Cooling & Heating’ technicians will properly seal all your ductwork joints and improve insulation.
HVAC Repair or Replacement
Your HVAC system can handle many of nature’s elements, but flooding isn’t one of them. Consider replacing your heating and air unit when too much damage is present. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating if you are in doubt about fixing your unit or replacing it. Our experienced and knowledgeable technicians can determine if your system is beyond repair after an HVAC inspection.
Don’t risk your safety or the performance of your heating and cooling system after a flood. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating for help with your flooded HVAC system. We will perform a thorough HVAC inspection and suggest the best options for HVAC repairs or a full replacement of your home’s unit.
