As a South Florida homeowner it’s important to inspect and maintain your HVAC system.  Did you know that many of the insurance claim nightmares are the result of un-maintained HVAC systems.

 Helpful information from a South Florida public adjuster.

 

If you live in South Florida, having an experienced public adjuster in your area is a godsend, especially when you home AC or HVAC system breaks down.  When home damage happens, it’s important to have someone who understands home damage as well as how to navigate the insurance industry.  At Fox Public Insurance Adjusters, we are experts in both areas.  Most of our clients find us by referral, which makes sense when you consider the thousands of homeowners we have helped throughout the years.  Some homeowners find us online by searching, public adjuster near me, or public adjuster in my area, in our case, this happens often because of our excellent track record of getting homeowners the highest settlement possible.  Since we are based in South Florida, we handle most home damage claims throughout Palm Beach County, Martin County, and Broward County.   While many people call us at the first sign of home damage, others contact us after an insurance claim has been denied.  In todays insurance environment, it almost seems like a given that a home damage insurance claim will be denied.   When this happens it’s our job to re-open the denied claim, and get the homeowner a proper settlement.  After many years of experience, we have become to best in business.  If your Palm Beach Gardens, Broward County, Martin County or Palm Beach County home has suffered home damage, and you are online searching for a public adjuster near me, call us at (561) 789-4369

The article below was inspired by a recent home inspection resulting when a HVAC system malfunctioned causing serious home damage.  This wasn’t simply a case of a broken air conditioning unit.  No, this malfunction caused, extensive water damage, mold and other problems.  As the hired local public adjuster, we thoroughly inspected the home, and worked with the homeowners insurance company to make sure the end result was a completely restored South Florida home.  The pictures in this article were taken by use when the homeowner needed a public adjuster in Fort Lauderdale

For those not familiar with the term HVAC system, it stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.  Since the South Florida climate is much more humid than most of the United States, having a properly functioning HVAC system is extremely important.  In the pictures below you will see what type of damage could happen when a homes HVAC system breaks down.

Since most people consider their home their family castle, keeping it in top condition should be a priority.  Water damage, mold and clogged drainpipes are just a few of the problems that a broken HVAC system could create.  Having a trusty well maintained HVAC system in your home is very important these days. So much so, that your HVAC system deserves some extra attention on a regular basis.

It’s important to remember a HVAC system could be temperamental and they do require a little bit of TLC now and again, because small issue can affect their functionality and soon lead to other issues.  A HVAC leak is one such issue and although it might seem harmless at first, it can just be the start of bigger problems

Generally, when you notice anything leaking in your house, it is important to pay attention and get on top of it as soon as possible. Water build-up anywhere around the home is never a good thing. It might look a piddly puddle but bigger trouble can be just around the corner.

Water damage caused by a HVAC leak
By using our sophisticated infrared imaging equipment we can find hidden moisture caused by a broken HVAC system.

HVAC leaks are caused by different components that must function properly. Most heating and ventilation systems contain a fluid, which means that they utilize a liquid refrigerant to function.  The refrigerant, which is also called “Freon” or “Puron”, is pumped through different pipes in the AC and in the event of a leak in one of the pipes the refrigerant is released as a gas, making it rather difficult to notice.

Water damage in a South Florida home.
While your home’s walls may look perfectly fine to the human eye, water damage from your homes air-conditioning unit may be causing mold and water damage. In many cases a typical insurance inspector will miss the hidden damage. Once this type of damage is missed, the moisture left behind will start the mold growing process.

However, apart from leaking gas, an HVAC system can also drip water or oil. This is completely normal but when the water or oil leak becomes large-scale, it is important to take action immediately. Let’s briefly look at the warning signs of HVAC leaks:

Signs of HVAC Leaks 

Being knowledgeable about the general signs of a HVAC leak is the key to fast repair and avoiding serious home damage. Finding a HVAC leak fast it can be a determinant of how soon you can get your AC system back to a functional and state.  Here are the common signs to look out for:

Water Leaks

If the refrigerant level of your air conditioning system is very low, the system will lose pressure and this can cause the evaporator coils to freeze, leading to water spillage in the drain pan.

Lengthy Cooling Circles

The basic responsibility of the refrigerant in the cooling process is to absorb the heat in your home and release it outside. When there is a leak, your HVAC system will experience longer cooling circles. You will notice that your unit is working longer and harder than usual.

Hissing Noises

Hissing sounds are commonly caused by cracks or holes in the coils that disseminate refrigerant. In addition, hissing noises can also be caused by different problems but if your HVAC system is making a louder hissing noise, it means that there is a leak.

Air Conditioner Stopped Distributing Cold Air

This is one of the obvious symptoms of a leaking HVAC system. If your air conditioner stops blowing cold air, there is probably a leak somewhere and it might be a refrigerant leak or a water leak.

Frozen Evaporated Coils

Another indicator that your HVAC is leaking refrigerant is the formation of bubbles in the evaporator coils. Insufficient levels of refrigerant which makes it difficult for the evaporator coils to absorb heat thereby causing the coils to freeze cause this. You can detect these tiny crystals by observing the evaporator coils.

Dangers of HVAC Leaks

HVAC leaks are more than just an electrical system malfunctioning and needing repair. HVAC leaks especially when caused by refrigerants can lead to a variety of environmental and health effects. And they’re not too pretty…

By calling a public adjuster in Fort Lauderdale we found all this damage.
When the home owner found us by searching for a public adjuster in Fort Lauderdale. They decided to take us up on our free inspection service. During our inspection we find water damage resulting from their damages HVAC system.

Inefficient Cooling system

The leakage in the HVAC system can cause your unit to struggle to produce cold air thereby preventing your home from achieving the temperature you desire. This means that the air conditioning system has to work harder than usual. In addition, the system will require more frequent recharging than it should.

Higher Electric Bills

An inefficient air conditioning system will most definitely convert to higher utility bills. Since the cooling unit will be working harder than usual and will likely still not blow enough air, your electricity bill will increase. This is also a red flag that your AC system is suffering from a leakage.

Health Problems

As earlier mentioned, HVAC systems use refrigerants to function but a leak of this fluid can cause a variety of health issues. This is because the fluid contains chemicals that can affect the respiratory system when inhaled. In the event of refrigerant leakage, Freon is released as gas and while it is odorless and tasteless, it can lead to medical problems such as:  In the past we have received many calls from residents who have hired us as their public adjuster in Fort Lauderdale.  Some if these homeowner have suffered health issues resulting from

I told you a broken HVAC system isn’t pretty!

On top of that, refrigerant leaks from air conditioning systems can cause damage to the environment because it adds to the depletion of the ozone layer.

Build-up of Mold and Mildew

A leak in your air condition system can cause its drain line to clog, flooding the trickle container. The water can sneak into the insulation as a result providing the perfect climate for mold to form and based on the size of the hole, the build-up might be hard to detect until it is critical.  Working as a public adjuster in Fort Lauderdale we have found that mold is one of the most common problems associated with a damaged HVAC system.

Even with the right maintenance, AC systems can have leaks; it’s just the nature of the beast. So it’s doubly important to always be conscious of the risks and to keep on top of any potential leakages. As I said, the little precautions and checks you take now can save you a whole lotta trouble down the road.

As a South Florida homeowner it’s a good idea to look over your HVAC system on a regular basis, if you notice water leaks, oil leaks, or the formation of bubbles on your evaporator coils, contact us at (561) 789-4369 and have us recommend a HVAC professional at once.  For more information on the problems associated with a broken HVAC system click here: HVAC PROBLEMS.

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If you are searching for a public adjuster in Fort Lauderdale or any of the other above locations, call us at (561) 789-4369 By calling us, you can be certain that your will receive the highest home damage claim settlement possible.