Water and moisture from an HVAC system can cause extensive water damage in a home or business, and a leaky, corroded, and rusted drain pan is often the culprit. According to one source, HVAC drain pans can corrode, rust out, and begin to leak in as few as seven years. Several factors contribute to drain pan failure.
First, stagnant water pooling in a drain pan fosters microbial growth, causing odors, corrosion, and rust in the drain pan. Second, using corrosive chemicals of alkaline (non-acid) or acid coil cleaners causes corrosion of not only aluminum fin surfaces, but also of the galvanized drain pan. Third, the rusted surfaces of condensate drain pans have tiny pits and divots, making the pan harder to clean and more likely to hold bacteria. The pan will smell, corrode, and leak, eventually leading to significant property damage if allowed to persist.
Time to Take Action
Like so many parents with teens, Thomas was busy. He worked hard, but he was involved in his children’s lives. His commitments left little time for all but basic chores and home maintenance. School, music lessons, and athletic travel teams craved every second of his day, but it was worth it to support his kids.
Thomas knew there was a problem with his HVAC system. It had been years since a technician had serviced and cleaned the unit. The filter needed to be changed, the coils needed a thorough cleaning, and the drain pan was full of sludge. The dirty coils and filter caused the system to work overtime, which compounded the water issue. The floor was beginning to sag in places, the walls showed signs of water damage, and the smell was persistent. However, Thomas could never find time to address the issues.
Upon returning from a long weekend of travel team championships, Thomas and his kids were met with buckled flooring, water-logged carpet, moldy sheetrock, warped baseboards, and a rancid smell. The hot weather, dirty coils, and dust-filled filter caused the HVAC system to work overtime. Not only did the pan leak, but it also overflowed when the drain pipe clogged from the sludge build-up. Thomas knew it was time to take action.
Why Homeowners Choose SERVPRO of Carrollton
A search of water damage restoration specialists in Carrollton took Thomas straight to the SERVPRO of Carrollton website, where he learned about their services, training, and equipment. SERVPRO is dedicated to responding immediately to a water damage disaster of any size because a fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces cost. The highly trained water damage restoration technicians are specialists who have the experience, expertise, and advanced training to dry a property quickly and thoroughly.
SERVPRO of Carrollton uses scientific drying principles and provides validation and documentation that the property is dry and the job is complete. SERVPRO uses specialized equipment and products to extract standing water and dry the property. The team finishes the job with professional-grade cleaning, sanitizing, and deodorizing products for the comfort and safety of the homeowner.
The First Step
Thomas called the SERVPRO emergency telephone number and spoke with a SERVPRO representative. The friendly customer care specialist explained the SERVPRO process and asked him a few questions to determine the nature of the emergency. A crew was promptly dispatched to Thomas’ home, and he was notified that that help was on the way.
When the technicians arrived, they inspected and tested to determine the extent of the damage. In addition, they also checked for safety concerns such as mold or contaminated water. After tracing the leak to the HVAC system, the technicians urged Thomas to put in an emergency call to a reputable HVAC company to service the unit and repair the leak.
The Plan of Action
Using specialized equipment, the team extracted the standing water and began drying the affected areas. They finished the job with professional-grade cleaning, sanitizing, and deodorizing products for the comfort and safety of Thomas’ family.
The inspection revealed extensive damage to the flooring, insulation, walls, and carpeting, as well as an extensive mold problem that needed immediate remediation. The flooring and insulation needed to be replaced, and the walls required stud and sheetrock repair.
A Positive Outcome
When Thomas heard the report about the extent of the damage, he was overwhelmed. How would he pay for the thousands of dollars of damage? The technician reassured Thomas by explaining that Thomas’ insurance should pay for all but the deductible and that SERVPRO of Carrollton would coordinate the water removal and damage restoration project with the insurance company.
Conclusion
SERVPRO of Carrollton provides emergency service 24/7. Faster to any size disaster with highly trained restoration technicians, SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the restoration industry. The locally owned and operated company uses advanced restoration and cleaning equipment and can coordinate services with the client’s insurance company. SERVPRO of Carrollton is the water damage repair and restoration service professional in Carrollton, Texas.
For more information about water, fire, and storm restoration, visit the SERVPRO of Carrollton website at www.servprocarrollton.com. To speak with a customer care specialist, call (770) 258-7557.
