While your AC system is created to withstand the elements, including precipitation and storm damage, occasionally you need to call your AC maintenance technician to inspect potential damage. If your air conditioning unit sits in standing water, due to flooding or other unexpected issues, it can cause significant damage to the moving parts and electrical components. The water usually has to reach about 12-15 inches in depth to affect your AC system, but if there has been any flooding period, call Service Experts for an AC inspection as soon as possible.

If heavy showers or flooding caused your air conditioner to sit in standing water, there are a few things we recommend doing to avoid additional damage or dangerous situations:

Disable all the electrical switches for your air conditioning system. If you are not comfortable with this, you can call your air conditioning repair company to help assist you with the process.
Allow your air conditioning equipment to dry out. Clear out any standing water if possible and safely clear any debris from around the area.
Do not turn on your air conditioning system until a professional air conditioner inspection has been done. Call Service Experts and ensure your equipment will operate safely and effectively with a full air conditioner safety inspection.

CAUTION: Do not cover your outdoor heating and air conditioning systems with a tarp. This may actually cause more problems, including not allowing the system to air out properly and remove moisture, potentially causing rust or other damage.

In addition to April showers, spring also brings hail storms, as well. Every year thousands of commercial and residential air conditioners are in need of repair because of hail. While you can usually see obvious damage from the outside, you may not realize that the damage inside the air conditioning unit may be causing restricted air flow, obstructing the performance of the system. Sometimes you can fix the AC unit more easily, by combing the fins or replacing the coil, but an insurance company’s claim breakdown showed that around 10% of air conditioning units damaged by hail had to be entirely replaced.

Intense winds tend to accompany storms and while your AC system probably won’t get wind damage, other items picked up by the wind, like tree branches, furniture, or sandboxes, can be thrown, damaging your air conditioner.

For a full AC inspection and safety check, call Service Experts today and we’ll make sure your AC system is working safely and efficiently. Help keep your home safe during storm season and make sure to follow these guidelines if your city is under a serious storm warning.