Tag Archives: AC Flood Damage

Street flooded with water and a stop sign partially submerged

Has Your AC System Been Damaged By Hail or Flooding?

AC Flood Damage

Utah residents are no strangers to extreme weather conditions, and you want your AC unit to be just as adaptable and resilient. But what happens when your unit is no match for the elements? What if Utah sees an intense hail storm, or above average flooding? You can’t control the weather, but there are some things you can do for your AC system after a storm rolls through.  AC Damage can be less costly if inspected before continued use.

Flooding

It usually takes 12 to 15 inches of water before your AC system begins to see damage. But as responsible home owner you want to call a professional as soon as you notice standing water so you can have your system checked out. Even if it is just a few inches of water, there could be damage. While you should leave the diagnostic and repairs to a trained professional, there are a few things you can do to minimize damage.

As soon as you’re able to, turn off the power to your AC system from your breaker panel. If the electricity is on and there is water in the system it could lead to excess damage. Try to remove as much water as possible from around your AC system so that it can dry out. Keep a close eye on your AC damage over the next few months to watch for delayed signs of water damage, corrosion or rust.

Don’t turn your AC system back on until it has been inspected for damage by the professionals with Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning. When your system is inspected, you’ll want to have the coils cleaned, and check the condenser fan motor (especially if the seal around the motor was bad). Any parts that were submerged will need to be inspected. You’ll also want to watch the compressor terminals over the next few months for any rust or corrosion.

If your home has flooding indoors, the steps are very similar. Turn off the power to your unit, including the thermostat and backup battery. Your indoor unit will have more electronic components which will be more sensitive to water damage, so have it looked at as soon as possible.

Hail

An AC system that has been damaged by hail will usually be apparent when you look at the unit. The hail will dent and deform the aluminum on the unit. It can cause particular damage to the fins that cover the coils. This AC damage to the outside will be obvious. The internal damage will be more subtle, but is no less serious. Any damage to the fins could lead to a condenser not functioning efficiently, if at all.

Fins can be repaired, but in some cases with more server damage the coils or the entire unit must be replaced. If you’ve recently had a hailstorm in your area and notice your AC seems to be constantly running or isn’t cooling, it’s likely it has been subject to damage.

Whether your AC damage needs to be repaired after a hailstorm or flooding, or replace all together call the professionals at Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning. They are the Salt Lake City AC system repair company you can trust.