Water flooding due to excessive rainfall from storms and hurricanes, as well as leaking plumbing pipes, can cause varying degrees of damage to the HVAC system in your Delaware home. Sometimes it is difficult to know whether the units need replacement, cleaning, or replacement parts. Depending on which HVAC system unit has been affected by flooding, you can get a good idea of how to safely operate your HVAC units after the water recedes.
Central AC Unit
Components in your central air conditioning unit damaged by the effects of flooding may become corroded, so carefully look at your AC equipment’s parts for any signs of corrosion. Excessive water from flooding can also cause electrical shorts in your unit. Some of the equipment’s parts may be salvageable, but a short circuit in the air conditioning compressor often requires that you replace that part.
Furnace
Flooding can cause water corrosion of components in both electric furnaces and gas-forced furnaces. When water causes your furnace’s coils to corrode, the furnace may cease working properly or create a safety hazard. If you are unsure if critical parts of your furnace have been damaged by water, contact an HVAC technician to examine all your unit’s components to see if the furnace is salvageable. If the damage is too serious, you may need to replace the unit.
Heat Pump Condensing Unit
Many heat pump condensing units are built to withstand approximately 12-16 inches of flood water without the water affecting the unit’s performance. If there is a failure in the equipment due to flooding, it is likely to be caused by damage to the unit’s electrical connections. If the water reaches any of the equipment’s electrical areas, you may need to replace your heat pump condensing unit for safety reasons.
Air Ducts
Water damage from flooding can cause moisture to compromise the HVAC air ducts in your Delaware home. It is necessary after flooding occurs to ask an HVAC technician to remove microbial contamination and dirt from your air ducts through specialized cleaning and disinfection. This can prevent toxic air from circulating throughout your residence.
After flooding water affects your indoor or outdoor HVAC system units, you may feel unsure of whether the equipment is still properly functioning or even safe to run. With many HVAC units, there are inside components that may be permanently damaged from water exposure. When in doubt, speak with an HVAC professional for his or her opinion on whether your HVAC unit can be repaired or if a replacement is necessary.
If flooding affects the HVAC system in your Delaware home, an HVAC technician can examine your equipment and advise you as to whether component replacements or specialized cleaning of your system are needed to make your units safe to operate. The courteous HVAC professionals of First Class HVAC have been providing central heating and air conditioning solutions for residents of Delaware and Maryland’s Delmarva area for over 40 years. Contact us today to learn about HVAC system models that are user-friendly and energy-efficient.