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Have You Ever Seen a HVAC Unit, Look Like This?

By
Home Inspector with WWW.ExecutiveRestoration.Com 10-0039724

What do the fins on your heating and air conditioning unit, look like?  This can go for window units or units that are permanent, like in the above photo?

I am always amazed by what I see, while performing inspections of buildings, searching for water damage or mold-related issues.  I want to share a story about this particular inspection.

Upon arrival at the home, I noticed no gutters to home as well as a crawl space with standing water.  Having no gutters in a home can produce and create serious issues.  Below, you can find the link about gutters or the lack of gutters to homes.  As well as how important clean gutters are.  Some people might think that gutter protection is important and it is but we also need regular cleaning of gutters and downspouts, so as not to create foundation moisture issues or even crawl space issues.  https://local.google.com/place?id=8097190555998713102&use=posts&lpsid=CIHM0ogKEICAgIDW7fHZ6AE We do not want Water Damage to a Crawl Space. This contributes to not only Mold Removalwww.gotmoldwehavethecure.com but can also attract Termites.  Water Damage and Water Removal, as well as Termite Treatments, can be rather costly. Save yourself money but play an active role in what is not only going on in your home but under your home as well as around your home.  Remember, that roof water has to go somewhere, and if the water is not diverted away from the home with gutters and downspouts, it will simply do an uncontrolled free fall and fall to the foundation of the home.  This can create foundation issues as well as crawl space issues if the water penetrates the brickwork or cracks and crevices and create unwanted moisture issues to and for the crawl space.  I also walked around the home to this HVAC unit and noticed the dirty condition of the unit.  The unit needed a cleaning.  Did you know that up to 30 to 40 percent of the air, in a crawl space can affect the indoor living environment of the home?  Let's think about all the cracks and crevices in the crawl space.  Let's think about all the electrical wiring and plumbing as well as cables in the Crawl Space, where crawl space air can affect the indoor living environment of the home. So, not only does the crawl space air affect the indoor living environment of the home but also the HVAC unit can affect how clean or not clean the home is.  If you see an HVAC unit like this, it is time to wash the outside of the unit as well as clean the fins of the HVAC unit.  You can buy a can of Coil Cleaner from a home improvement store to not only clean the fins of the unit.  Do this at least once a year but I like to clean my unit about 2 times a year.  This can not only keep your unit cleaner but you can also save energy by doing this, for your home.  Spray cleaner in a can on condenser and evaporator coils and this will allow for maximum airflow, throughout your system.  First, turn your unit off.  Then shake up the can and spray on it.  You will see a foaming action begin to take place, that will remove so much grease as well as soil build-up. I apply the spray to the condenser fins and evaporator coil.  Let it dwell on areas that you want clean for about ten minutes and you will start noticing the breakdown of residue and dirt as well as grease build-up and gross filth.  Get a garden hose to spray off the unit and fins and coil.  You will then want to get a Fin Comb, to straighten out any fins that are not straight so you can get maximum airflow to the unit.  While you are spraying this can cleaner that is solvent-based, it would be a great idea to wear eye protection as well as mouth and nose protection and gloves.  For serious cleanings, like in the above photo,  this unit took 2 cans of spray cleaner.  After the cleaning is carried out, let the unit dry out or put an air mover/fan onto the unit to speed up dry time.  If you are not going to do a speed dry with a fan or air mover, simply wait about an hour, before you start up your unit.

Everything, adds up.  Things around the home or building, need to be inspected.  Not only when you are selling or buying a home but just to help us understand what is going on in or around our home.  Yes, many people get so used to seeing things around and in the home,  that problems or issues can go unnoticed by the average person.  Unless he or she is observant of items that need to be addressed.  I have done this more for the Do It Yourselfer as well as to educate others on how important cleaning is of the HVAC unit.

Think prevention.

Think Cleaning.

Think Do It Yourself or Hire a Professional to do Cleaning.

This is being brought to you by someone who wants to educate and inform others.

David Snell

www.gotmoldwehavethecure.com

My name is David Snell and I have been in business since 1987.  My company name is Executive Restoration. My passion is all things Water-related and Mold related. If you need some guidance with your home, please feel welcome to email me or call me so I can assist you.  The phone call is complimentary and my gift to you.  If I can assist you over the phone, I will be more than happy to do so.

Sincerely,

David Snell (owner and operator)

 

https://local.google.com/place?id=8097190555998713102&use=posts&lpsid=CIHM0ogKEICAgIDW7fHZ6AE

 

Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello David - everyday life shows us all kinds of examples, both good as well as not-so-good, of things that can occur.  Hopefully lessons are learned as part of that observation.  

Apr 04, 2022 04:24 AM
David Snell 7045450098

Thank you Michael.


Hope you have been staying busy.


David

Apr 04, 2022 05:28 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Yes, I have seen units like this and worse! Never understood how homeowners skip on maintenance for what is for most their single largest financial asset.

Apr 04, 2022 06:44 AM
David Snell 7045450098

Nina, 


Nothing surprises me anymore, in what I am seeing.


I just can not understand, that if people do not take care and maintain something, how do they expect it to last without having to buy a new one or get major work performed.  


Thank you for your comment.


David

Apr 04, 2022 10:50 PM