Tips for Preventing Air Conditioner Water Damage

Most homeowners who enjoy cool and comfortable temperatures indoors throughout summer thanks to their air conditioning system don't realize that air conditioners can sometimes cause water damage if not properly maintained. When working at peak efficiency, an air conditioning system can collect 10 to 20 gallons of water daily. Ideally, this water drains off of the condensation coil into a collection pan and then is disposed of automatically into the sewer system. But if the drain becomes clogged and the unit produces more water than it can easily handle, the overflow of water can lead to damaged floors and carpeting in addition to creating unhealthy deposits of mold.

A clogged drain line is often the major source of creating water damage, but other causes include excessive condensation that occurs when the unit is running round the clock in addition to evaporator coils that may freeze up and then defrost on a regular basis. Because most of the unit is typically hidden from view, unless regular inspections take place, water damage can be occurring on a daily basis and accumulating into hundreds of dollars worth of damage.

One of the best ways to avoid air conditioner water damage is to change the HVAC air filter at least once a month. This also gives a homeowner the opportunity to observe whether or not there is excessive moisture collecting on the condensation line. Ensuring that an AC unit has clean air filters also helps prevent the unit from overworking, a situation that causes freezing and then defrosting on the evaporator coils, leading to water damage. It's also important to regularly check to see that water is indeed flowing from the opening of the condensation line directly to the drain as it was designed to do, especially during periods of very high humidity in the atmosphere.

When installing an AC condensation line, avoid using elbow connections if possible and have the line run in as straight an up and down direction as possible to facilitate water removal from the unit. It's a good idea to get a professional air conditioning repair service to clean the condensation line at least once a year or every six months if the AC system is used on a year-round basis. A professional plumbing service can also install a condensation pump to help ensure the free flow of excess water into the proper disposal drain. A repair technician may recommend installing a device known as a safety float switch which will automatically shut down the power to an AC unit whenever condensation builds up and there is a danger of water overflow.

Professional maintenance of your HVAC unit on an annual basis can also help to prevent water damage from occurring by checking the air filter, the condition of the condensation line as well as the drains to eliminate any blockage or other problems. Ask about having your air conditioner service technician apply an algaecide to your system to discourage build-up of debris in the drain lines in addition to preventing the growth of mold and mildew which can spread throughout the HVAC and pollute the air throughout the house.

What Is Involved with IICRC Certification?

You've probably heard it many times before while looking for a cleaning or restoration company: "we are IICRC certified". While the average consumer may find comfort in this phrase, what exactly does being IICRC certified mean? Does it contribute to the safety of your home or the efficiency of the work being done when you have a flooded room? Let's delve a bit deeper into the myriad aspects that being certified entails to find out exactly what value it brings to the table.

Look Out for Flooding

Despite the persistent cold nights we've been experiencing lately in Southern California, summer is quickly approaching us once more. While the weather in our state is blessed with all the sun we can get with no trace of rain in sight most of the year round, flooding is still a possibility nonetheless. If anything, Southern California residents tend to take the possibility of flood damage lighter than the rest of the country due to our great weather. However, flooding can be caused by a number of other factors, some poised to wreak havoc when you least expect it.

With rain out of the equation, the vast majority of flooding scenarios are going to be caused by infrastructure problems, such as plumbing, slab leaks, and so forth. There are quite a few ways that an emergency flood situation can crop up: a pipe can burst unexpectedly in the middle of the night, wreaking havoc until someone notices in the morning. With this scenario, calling a flood damage technician out as quickly as possible will help mitigate further problems and potentially avoid mold growth and other related repairs that would be required should the water damage become more substantial. Drywall, flooring, carpeting... all of these can become potential problems when flooding happens.

Slab leaks are another potential issue, but these are far less obvious than pipe bursts. These are small, barely-noticeable cracks or holes in pipes that cause small amounts of water to leak into the underlying structure of a property over time. Since they can go for weeks or even months undetected, the damage caused by these can be rather severe. At the base level, water bills will be much higher when a slab leak is present, and the presence of water can cause musty or moldy odor to build up. This is also a precursor to mold growth if a slab leak occurs near drywall, and can also lead to floor or even foundation damage that may require substantial reconstruction work.

As always, it's the little things that we may not see or the things we least expect that can cause the biggest problems. When the weather gets hot and you think that you're high and dry, never forget that water can still pose a threat and that you should always be prepared for it. For the best flood damage service in the Inland Empire, call Superior Restoration at 951-708-1380 for 24 hour emergency service.

Professional Water Damage Restoration for Kitchen Tap Overflow

Water damage commonly takes place in the kitchen when the kitchen tap overflows. This problem occurs at the most inconvenient time in our kitchen. Even if the damage looks like it is just a small quantity of water, homeowners will never know the full extent of the damage until they discover what is below the surface. This is a reason why professional damage restoration should be done whenever this problem occurs in the kitchen.

Why Time is of the Essence in Water Damage

Many home and business owners don’t realize the time factor when dealing with water damage. After the initial damage, water invades and creeps into the home structure as time progresses. With each minute that passes, the water may affect carpet padding, the walls, hardwood floors, and even grout lines in tiles. Unattended water damage in the ceiling is even more damaging because this can lead to the collapse of the ceiling.

Water Damage in the Summer

Summertime is almost here in Southern California, and we all know what that means: sunny days, ice cream and very hot weather. Of all the times for water damage, you would expect summer to be the rarest time of the year as the soaring temperatures make flooding seem an unlikely prospect. But don't get caught off-guard by the weather! Water damage may not happen from natural disasters as it does in other parts of the country, but that doesn't mean your home is not suspect to flooding when you least expect it.

Basic Water Damage Remediation Steps

Water damage incidents take a variety of forms and can vary significantly in their severity. While some minor ones can be handled by property owners, most major incidents require the attention of a specialist. Assessing the damage and knowing whether to call a water damage remediation specialist for help can be a challenge.

Are Molds Really Dangerous?

Whenever water damage is involved, mold is almost always a part of the equation, particularly if the leak is not immediately shut off and the water extracted. Since mold spores are everywhere, mold can easily form within 48 hours provided that conditions are right for it to grow; all it needs is moisture, warmth and a porous material. On most water damage situations where the leak has been going for a while, mold infestations are pretty clear-cut: damaged drywall or carpet will be lined with dark splotches easily visible to the naked eye. For leaks where the water can be shut off in time, mold usually doesn't have time to develop, since the water is often extracted before it has time to settle.

The Hidden Threat of Hard Water

Hard water is pretty much a given in the vast majority of the United States. If you live in a typical neighborhood, the water flowing through your pipes will be hard; the only question is how much. Since it's such a common occurrence  many homeowners have come to accept the existence of hard water and are used to its various detrimental effects, such as causing blockage in pipes and wearing down equipment faster than it normally would have. Most of the time, the average homeowner will simply brush these factors aside and just come to accept it as part of home ownership.

But there's a possibility that hard water can cause problems that go beyond the minor inconveniences listed above. With the frequency that the pipes are used on a daily basis in a home, it's easy to forget that hard water causes mineral build-up on the interior. Once the build-up is thick enough, the pipes begin having problems with letting water flow through, and given enough time this can cause leaks and pipe bursts which of course lead to water damage in your home.

Saving Books and Photos from Water Damage

Water damage incidents catch property owners by surprise, oftentimes leaving them feeling helpless and not knowing where to start. These victims face a variety of difficult questions. Should I call a Professional? Is my family’s health at risk? Can I even salvage this? The hardest of these questions may be the last one. Family pictures and other heirlooms can become damaged during incidents and these items are often the hardest to replace. Many water damage victims feel that these were their greatest loss throughout the entire ordeal. The key to saving these items is to act as quickly as possible. While taking all of your photos and books to a professional restoration company is always the best option, there is not always one available. If this is the case, there are things a property owner can do to try and save their photos and books.

Looking Forward a Great New Year

We hope everyone had a great holiday season! Whether you celebrated with friends or family, the holidays are always a good time to touch upon the important things in life. Now that it's officially 2013, we have another year filled with excitement to look forward to. Granted, our industry is not always the type that you want knocking at your door on a regular basis, but when we do show up you can be sure that we'll be in and out in no time.

To kick things off right this new year, we'll start by offering some advice for all of our readers and clients. Here's a couple of quick pointers for common pitfalls and mistakes in case of a flooding scenario.