Flooding can happen around your home without much notice. That flooding could result from a natural cause or a broken pipe under your street. One element of your home that is susceptible to damage during a flood is your HVAC unit. Take precautions to protect your HVAC unit from flooding damage with the following four tips.
Relocate Your System to Higher Ground
Homeowners commonly install their HVAC systems on the ground floor of the homes they build. This arrangement is common among home building companies. But if your area is prone to flooding, having your system on the ground level can cause more problems than it solves. Relocating your HVAC unit to a higher level, such as a balcony, high deck, or attic space, saves it from potential damage from high water.
Use a Higher Concrete Base
HVAC units rest on concrete bases to support their weight. Most of these bases are either flush with the ground’s surface or a bit higher. As a result, you could face similar issues with flooding as you do by having the unit on the ground level.
When you have your HVAC system installed in your home, you can increase the height of the support base by several inches or feet. When choosing a height for your concrete, follow safety codes. Also, ask contractors who regularly work in your area to confirm the best height for your HVAC unit’s base.
Create a Floodwall
Moving an HVAC system or raising it off ground level could be costly and difficult to do. In this case, you may want to have an HVAC tech to help you find ways to keep water from damaging your HVAC unit.
One solution may be to create a floodwall. A contractor can design a wall that will keep water away from the HVAC unit. While you must take other considerations into thought before moving forward with a floodwall, it is an excellent option if you cannot move your HVAC system elsewhere or raise it with concrete.
Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts
If your HVAC unit is outside, you may fall victim to flooding due to clogged gutters and downspouts. Eliminate any clogged downspouts, repair leaks, and make sure that the drainage is far away from the house’s foundation and HVAC unit. Keeping well-maintained trees can help make sure that you won’t have damage to your gutters or downspouts during storms when branch breakage could occur.
After a large storm or flood warning expires in your area, you should consider having an HVAC service technician come to your home to inspect your HVAC system to make sure you don’t have any issues. When you do, you can tackle any potential issues straight away instead of waiting until it is too late or another flood arises. Getting ahead of any potential issues is especially a good idea if your area or home is prone to flooding. Contact a home services expert for advice on the best course of action for future protection.
James Hendrickson is an internet entrepreneur, blogging junky, hunter and personal finance geek. When he’s not lurking in coffee shops in Portland, Oregon, you’ll find him in the Pacific Northwest’s great outdoors. James has a masters degree in Sociology from the University of Maryland at College Park and a Bachelors degree on Sociology from Earlham College. He loves individual stocks, bonds and precious metals.
