Split systems, one of the most common types of HVAC systems, are susceptible to water damage. However, the amount of damage and need for repairs depends on the level of exposure.
Explore this interactive guide to learn more about the impact water damage can have on a split system and its components.
Wind and Water: A Double Threat in Hurricane Damages webinar has already occurred. You can watch the recording here.
After hurricane events, adjusters often have to distinguish between wind damage and surge damage to make accurate claim decisions. Join Alpine Intel’s Technical Education Trainer, Kevin Huelsman, in the Wind and Water: A Double Threat in Hurricane Damages Webinar as hurricane season approaches, and gain a better understanding of how forces related to these perils affect structures.
This webinar will cover:
• The difference between wind and storm surge damage after hurricanes
• Forces associated with wind during a hurricane event
• How different forces associated with storm surge affect a structure
• What experts look for in a collateral investigation
Pre-recorded webinars do not qualify for CE credit.
Torrential downpours, leaky roofs, and malfunctioning appliances could all lead to HVAC system water damages. Before settling your next water-related claim, consider how these variables impact the scope of damage and possible repair opportunities for residential and commercial HVAC systems.
1) Know the Water Source.
The water type and source are factors in figuring out what’s needed to return HVAC systems to pre-loss condition after a water loss and knowing if it’s a covered peril. Verifying the cause of water exposure can give an early indication of the potential repair scope.
The type of water that contacts property could impact whether policyholder equipment can be repaired.
Black Water contains contaminated materials with chemicals, sewage, oil, or other dangerous debris and is caused by sewage backup, floodwater, or standing water exposed to sewage. Cleaning or minor repairs to impacted equipment may be more difficult because of hazardous contaminants. This is considered a Category 3 water loss. However, an expert should verify whether the HVAC equipment was exposed to black water, even if it was found nearby.
Gray Water, which can cause a Category 2 water loss, is wastewater from households or office buildings, including dishwashers, washing machines, sinks, showers, and bathtubs. It doesn’t have fecal contamination and is safer and easier to treat, though gray water can still cause HVAC system malfunctions that require repairs.
Clean Water, as the name suggests, is cleaner than other water types and comes from the tap, a broken water line, or rainwater. The scope of damage depends on which HVAC components were exposed. This is considered a Category 1 water loss.
The source of water may also determine whether the loss is a covered peril. Surface water, groundwater, and general flooding caused by an onslaught of precipitation or storm surge are not usually covered in a standard insurance policy. However, a policyholder may be eligible for a settlement for impacts caused by wind-driven rain. Cause of loss verification is imperative to reduce the risk of settling for a non-covered peril.
2) Check for Corrosion, Mold, or Other growth.
Normal system condensation and operation over time may cause corrosion and aren’t necessarily signs of water damage.
HVAC system water losses occur in a short time. However, signs of corrosion, mold, or other growth are evidence of prolonged exposure.
Corrosion may occur on the condenser coil, housed outside on the condensing unit. Long-term exposure to saltwater, sprinkler systems with untreated water, or the combination of dissimilar metals and water can accelerate corrosion. These are likely signs of wear and tear and are typically not covered. Verified water losses may be impacted by corrosion in that it limits some repairs that can be made. Corroded condenser coils usually can’t be combed and may require coil replacements to return to pre-loss condition.
Rust and corrosion occur elsewhere on an HVAC system. Sheet metal ductwork and other internal metal components may also be impacted by long-term water exposure – even from normal operation. An equipment assessment would determine whether corrosion or other signs of wear and tear contributed to the loss.
3) Determine How High the Water Reached on the HVAC Equipment.
The height of water exposure could determine whether critical HVAC components have been impacted.
A major variable impacting scope of damage is the height of water exposure.
An HVAC system’s condensing unit is most susceptible to weather-related water losses. Fewer repairs may be needed if water exposure is lower on the equipment because critical components are near the top. Water exposure to the compressor, electrical compartment, or fan motor may require more major repairs.
Inside a structure, HVAC equipment’s location and whether it sits horizontally or vertically impacts water losses. Crawlspaces, utility closets, and basements are more likely to sustain flooding events than attics. However, attics may be affected by roof damages and other internal leaks.
Critical components are more at risk for a water failure in a horizontal furnace or air handler. Water would need to reach higher levels to impact essential equipment in vertical units. Building codes may dictate the height of HVAC system installation for this reason. Ductwork and insulation are also prone to water losses that require repairs.
Look for water exposure lines to determine how high water reached. Lines of dirt and debris on the system’s back panel, electrical compartments, and adjacent building walls may be visible. Equipment labels with ink appearing to run may also indicate water exposure.
Whoever is evaluating the HVAC system for losses should consider all evidence to make more accurate determinations.
4) Verify Contractor Recommendations.
The force of water could cause HVAC equipment to become displaced and require moderate to major repairs to the system.
For example, condensing units may shift on their pads. If the connecting lineset has any breaks or kinks, contaminants may enter the refrigerant loop, causing extensive damage to the compressor or other components. Major repairs may include replacing the condensing unit, lineset, and other equipment to ensure compatibility between the internal and external equipment. Be aware that contractors may recommend full-system replacements once repairs reach this moderate level. However, this is rarely a necessity, and should be verified.
Have a claim for a water-impacted HVAC system? Policyholders likely don’t provide information about these variables that impact water losses when filing their claim. Let HVACi do an objective, comprehensive damage assessment for you to determine cause of loss, scope of damage, and the most applicable repairs and replacements – without slowing down the claims process. Submit the claim to the experts at HVACi.
Floods, foundation leaks, sump pump failures, and roof leaks can cause major damages to homes and businesses. Among the items impacted are HVAC systems. By the end of the Essentials of Settling Water-Related HVAC Claims Webinar you’ll know about water’s impact to split systems, ductwork, and package units, among other components.
Topics include:
Watch our Essentials of Settling Water-Related HVAC Claims Webinar recording by filling out the form provided.
Important: Pre-recorded webinars do not qualify for CE credit.
StrikeCheck’s What Makes Pool and Hot Tub Claims Different webinar has already occurred. You can watch a recording here.
As the weather heats up, customers are using their pools to cool down. Malfunctioning pool and hot tub components could lead to costly claims, particularly if you aren’t as familiar with the types policyholders may have or what repairs could return them to pre-loss condition.
You can learn more about these claims in StrikeCheck’s webinar, What Makes Pool and Hot Tub Claims Different? Technical Education Manager Jay Dykstra will cover:
Important: Pre-recorded webinars do not qualify for CE credit.
Imagine walking into a basement covered in an inch of water. The policyholder who did was sure the furnace and ductwork located there were casualties of the flood. Luckily, the adjuster sought an HVAC system expert to verify scope of damage before settling the claim and learned cleaning was all the equipment needed to return to pre-loss condition.
HVAC system losses have varying degrees of damage, and adjusters need answers quickly. Fill out the form to read how HVACi helped this carrier ensure the claim was settled quickly and accurately – and how the team can do it for your HVAC and Refrigeration claims, too.
Winter temperatures posed a threat to a commercial policyholder who filed a claim with multiple HVAC systems. The adjuster needed to handle the claim accurately while also facing time pressures.
Fill out the form to read this Scary Story about a sprinkler line break that affected eight HVAC systems. You’ll find out how HVACi evaluated the systems to determine the best settlement recommendation and course of action to return the policyholder to pre-loss condition.
A sewage backup could have had disastrous effects for a commercial policyholder. Characteristics that affect a claim include the type of water that touched the equipment, what components in the equipment were impacted, and how long water contact was sustained. The carrier handling the claim described in this case study didn’t assume the incident caused enough damage to require a furnace and water heater replacement. The adjuster sought HVACi’s help to verify cause of loss and scope of damage before settling the claim.
Fill out the form to read about our recommended repairs and settlement for this claim and how our team came to that conclusion. Then experience for yourself what benefits your carrier could have from our HVAC and Refrigeration assessment solutions.
Not sure whether contractors’ recommendations for full replacements are necessary when settling your policyholders’ claims? Neither was the adjuster handling this residential claim about an HVAC system that was near a leaking water heater and sustained damage. The carrier sought the HVACi team’s help to quickly and accurately assess the HVAC equipment to determine cause of loss and scope of damage and to objectively recommend the best steps to return the policyholder’s system to pre-loss condition.
Fill out the form to get your copy of the water damage claim case study to see how our experts’ analysis compared to the contractor’s more than $18,000 replacement estimate.
Rains, flooding, and leaks can all cause water to get into places it shouldn’t be – including your policyholders’ HVAC systems. But when might an HVAC system require minor or major repairs or replacements because of water?
Fill out the form to receive the Understanding Water Damage in HVAC System Claims Guide. It outlines HVAC components susceptible to water damage, water-related concerns, and HVAC system malfunctions that can cause water damage. This one-page guide also has a labeled diagram of a split system depicting the water danger zones. Keep a copy of this guide on hand for your next water damage HVAC claim.
Want to know even more about water damages to HVAC systems? Read When Water and HVAC Systems Mix, It’s Not Always A Total Loss.