What should I do if my HVAC system is impacted by flooding?

An already disastrous hurricane season can bring some unexpected conditions, leaving you to manage flooding or damage to your heating and cooling system. Before you try to salvage or run water-damaged equipment, it’s important to know the correct steps you should take to remain safe.

The following safety tips will help you take care of your heating and cooling system following extreme weather in Waldorf:

• Turn off all electrical switches and gas valves. Be mindful to turn off all switches (i.e., disconnects and breakers) to the HVAC system. If your furnace or water heater was submerged, shut off gas valves to avoid exposure to leaking gas.
• Dry out equipment. If your system was under water, open it up and let air circulation to quicken the drying process.
• Have equipment and wiring inspected. Do not turn on flooded equipment until a professional has checked the equipment. It’s also a good idea to have a reputable electrician or a technician from a Waldorf power company inspect your home’s internal wiring to ensure it is dry and safe before power is reinstated to your home.
• Don’t rush to reconnect. If the power company gives approval to turn on the electricity in your home, but you have concerns there could be a problem with your heating and cooling equipment, give our experts a call so we can help you safely move forward.

You should also consider the following to determine if your heating and cooling equipment is salvageable or needs to be replaced:

• The amount of time the equipment was under water;
• Whether the electricity was on when the water flooded the HVAC system; or
• If the equipment is full of debris.

Remember, if you aren’t confident doing it on your own, contact us at A-PLUS Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning as soon as possible. Our experts are trained to perform safety inspections and help you evaluate severe weather damage to your HVAC unit. We can take a look at your system to make sure it’s operating properly and to understand if it can continue to work efficiently without replacement. You can reach us by calling 301-747-3140 if you have any questions or concerns about your heating and cooling system, or if you would like to schedule an appointment for a severe weather consultation. You can also visit our online scheduler to easily request an appointment.