If your air conditioner isn’t cooling well, a chemical wash may be recommended to bring it back to life.
Mainly, a chemical wash does a great job of removing stubborn dirt and mold. However, it’s not risk-free. Mainly, whether your aircon comes out better or worse really depends on the technicians’ expertise and how careful they are.
Before you schedule anything, it’s smart to understand the potential risks of a chemical wash. Therefore, in this post, we’ll discuss how chemical wash can possibly damage your aircon and what you should do to avoid it.
What Happens During a Chemical Wash?
Usually, a chemical wash isn’t your usual cleaning. The procedure entails the technician disassembling the AC unit and spraying the coils, drain pan, and blower wheel with alkaline solutions. These chemicals mainly loosen old, stubborn grease, oil, and any dirt or mold that’s gotten inside your unit.
Once the chemicals loosen the dirt, the technician rinses, dries, and reassembles the AC.
Importantly, as long as the chemical wash procedure is done right, your air conditioner performs better, and the air feels fresher and cooler.
However, if the technician skips a step or fails to pay attention during the chemical wash, your AC can be damaged.
What Can Really Go Wrong During Chemical Wash
Below are some of the things that can happen if the chemical wash procedure isn’t done properly:
1. Corroded Coils
The copper or aluminum coils inside your air conditioner aren’t built to withstand harsh chemicals for long.
Therefore, if the cleaner is not rinsed off properly, it can slowly eat away at the metal, causing leaks.
2. Burned Electronic Parts
If the technician doesn’t cover the electrical parts, a little chemical spray can trigger short circuits, corrosion, and damage them.
3. Irritating Smells
If there’s still chemical left inside after rinsing, that residue keeps working away, corroding parts and sometimes even getting blown back into your room.
Suddenly, your air conditioner smells weird, and even worse, you begin breathing in irritants.
4. Damaged Plastic Parts
Chemicals can make the plastic drain tray or insulation brittle and prone to cracking. Once the insulation breaks down, pipes start sweating, and you even have water leaks.
5. Voided Warranty
Using the wrong chemicals or having someone unqualified can cancel your warranty, leaving you to pay the bill if something fails later.
How To Make Sure a Chemical Wash Is Safe
If you really need a chemical wash, there are ways to protect your air conditioner. For instance, you can:
1. Make Sure You Really Need It
A good technician won’t suggest a chemical wash unless there’s heavy mold, sticky grease, or a stubborn clog.
Therefore, ask them and only accept to get the chemical wash services if they explain exactly why it’s needed.
2. Hire Someone Qualified
Don’t just go for the cheapest aircon service provider. Look for certified, experienced technicians. Importantly, verify their credentials and ensure they’re insured.
3. Find Out What Chemicals They’re Using
Ask before them about the chemicals before they start. Mainly, the chemicals should be made for air conditioners. Also, double-check that they’ll protect all the electrical parts before spraying anything.
4. Insist on Proper Rinsing
During rinsing, every part should be properly washed with fresh water so no chemicals are left behind. This stops corrosion and weird smells later.
5. Ask About Gentler Options
Sometimes, a high-pressure steam wash or just manual cleaning gets the job done without chemicals. Therefore, determine whether that would work for your unit instead of chemical wash.
Insist That the Technician Tests the Air Conditioner After
When they’re done, ensure the technicians run the aircon through a full cycle. They should make sure it cools well, drains properly, and doesn’t produce any unusual noises or smells. If something seems wrong, then the technician should fix it right away before leaving your premises.
Bottom Line
A chemical wash can definately damage your air conditioner if done carelessly. However, in some cases, it’s necessary to remove tough dirt. Therefore, although it’s not necessary every time, when it’s the only option, it must be done correctly and by qualified technicians.
Lastly, if the usual air conditioning cleaning is not effective, and you are considering aircon chemical wash services, you can contact us. We have trained, qualified, and highly experienced technicians who are committed to quality work and safety.
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