Rainwater Threatening Your Condensing Unit's Concrete Slab? Stop The Problem With These Tips

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If rainwater from the home's gutters tends to puddle on the soil near your outdoor condensing unit and doesn't dry up for days at a time, you may be concerned that the water will eventually affect the concrete slab beneath the unit. Your concerns are valid.  Although concrete slabs are designed to keep your condensing unit even or level on the ground, rainwater may become a big problem if it causes the concrete slab to sink on one side. A sinking slab may place a strain on the wires and refrigerant hoses attached to it if the condensing unit moves out of alignment. In addition, water may travel below the sunken side of the slab and damage the condensing unit's critical parts, including the compressor. You can prevent the issues above by securing your concrete slab against the excess rainwater with the tips below.  

Secure the Concrete Slab

Before you begin your job, pull out or switch off the unit's power supply for safety. Next, obtain a small shovel with a triangular head and one large bag of drainage sand, such as sharp sand and concrete sand, to reinforce and protect the concrete slab. Drainage sand contains coarse grains or sharp pieces of rocks that may keep water from passing through them. 

Now, follow these steps:

1. Use the shovel to remove overgrown grass and other debris that grew around the slab. If necessary, use a weed tool or rake to remove grass and debris you can't remove with the shovel.
2. Place drainage sand along the edge of one side of the slab, then use the back of the shovel to pack the sand beneath the slab.
3. Smooth the sand with the back of the shovel until it appears even.
4. Repeat step 2 and 3 with the last three sides.
5. Restore power to your cooling system.

After you complete the steps above, take additional steps to control the excess rainwater. 

Control the Rainwater

You may want to hire a professional roofer to install gutters on the roof that direct water away from the home. You can also extend the end of the downspout closest to the condensing unit so that it empties water away from the home and into the yard. Although you can possibly do this job yourself, you may want to hire a plumber instead. The job may take a couple of days to complete.

Finally, if you have enough space to do so, plant flowers close to the home that can absorb the excess water from your soil. The flowers may also help cover any landscape disturbed by the construction of the extended downspout.

If the tips above don't solve your problem, or if you need additional services, contact an air conditioning specialist (such as one from Jerry Boschert Heating & Cooling) for help.

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15 March 2016