At Red Carpet Flood Restoration we have noticed that in the spring time we see an increase in water intrusion calls. Many of the calls that we are seeing year after year are caused from simple maintenance issue. One of the biggest water intrusions we see is the backup of an HVAC condensation tube. As many of you probably know and understand these lines can get backed up due to lack of condensation water in the winter months. When the air conditioner is not being used it allows for multiple things to occur. Some of the backups we have seen can be attributed to microbial or fungal growth within the condensation tube which causes a backup when the A/C unit comes on, another common cause we have seen many times is from insect activity. We have had multiple occurrences of spiders laying eggs or making webs that can block the flow of water. Finally, we have seen many times that condensation tubes on the outside of the home typically just drain directly onto the soil and have no P trap to prevent insects from entering the pipe or the P trap is blocked off from sediments. All of these are common factors we have seen in the course of the first 2 months of summer. Unfortunately, these simple maintenance issues can cause thousands of dollars in damage. We have seen homes that have had backups cause major microbial growth in a home. It is important to understand that especially in our Florida office the chance for microbial growth is substantial when there is a water intrusion that sits for 48 hours or longer. We all know and understand that there are all types of microbial spores in our atmosphere however when you have an untreated water intrusion it often times leads to the colonization of hydrophilic microbial spores which is usually the “black mold” that can cause respiratory issues. With that said we have a reminder of a few recommendations to help you this spring.
- Using a shop vac and hot water, flush the line to ensure that there are no clogs in the line. (We do not recommend using compressed air to blow the line out. We have seen multiple times when a plumber has used compressed air and there is a blockage. When this happens it can blow the joints apart inside the wall and allow a leak to form)
- We recommend pouring 1 cup of vinegar down the condensation drain line at least once per month. It is important to remember that vinegar or bleach are corrosive to metal so make sure that the unit and fan are completely off while pouring the solution down the pvc drain line and let set for 30 min.(bleach can be used if someone does not like the smell of vinegar but keep in mind that this will drain outside onto the ground and bleach can kill plants)
- A condensation switch should be installed by a professional and licensed HVAC company to ensure that in the event a backup does occur it will shut the unit off to prevent damage.
- Ensure that on the exterior of the home that there is a minimum of 6 inches between the output and any soil or plants. Make sure their are no vines growing around the drain line that could cause a backup
- Major clog caused by fungus
- Damaged ceiling from a leak in an hvac system located in an attic
- HVAC condensation shutoff switch
At Red Carpet Flood Restoration it is our goal to educate and to remind people of potential causes of water intrusions. However in the event that you do encounter a problem please remember that we are here to help get your property back to pre loss condition in a timely manner. We know and understand that every day that your home is affected by a water intrusion that it is costing you money. Whether a short term rental property, a long term renter or your personal residence we work diligently to get you back into the home quickly. If you find yourself in need of water damage mitigation please contact our 24 hour emergency managers at 877-723-5663.
