How to Prevent Water Intrusion

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Citrus County has been restoring commercial water damage in the Citrus County area for many years. One area of a structure where water can enter that is often overlooked is the wall where air conditioners are located. Here are some tips from the Institute of Business and Home Safety for protecting your business from rain intrusion:

 Check wall air conditioners

Internal Drain

If the air conditioning unit has an internal drain, make sure the pipe size is adequate and water is running and flowing freely in order to handle a high volume of water.

Caulking of Air Conditioning Unit Sleeve: Look for any gaps, cracks, or other damage that indicates improper caulking around the edge of the sleeve to the exterior of the building. This increases vulnerability to water entry.

Orientation: Tilting the air conditioning unit sleeves slightly (two degrees) towards the exterior wall can significantly reduce the water’s entry.

Weather Stripping: Proper weather stripping between the air conditioning unit and the sleeve can reduce the water from entering.