HVAC System Inspections in Galveston & the Gulf Coast

Everything a standard inspection covers — plus the coastal-specific problems that standard inspections miss entirely. Inland HVAC inspections check refrigerant charge, electrical components, airflow, and mechanical operation. Those checks matter here too. But a Galveston HVAC inspection that doesn't specifically evaluate salt corrosion, humidity damage, condensate management, and storm-related wear is incomplete. It's checking half the risks and missing the half that actually kills coastal equipment early.

Our inspections are built for the Gulf Coast environment that homes in Galveston, Texas City, League City, Dickinson, La Marque, and Santa Fe actually live in — not the moderate-climate checklist that most HVAC training programs teach.

Salt Corrosion Assessment

This is the single most important coastal-specific inspection item. Salt corrosion attacks every exposed metal surface on your outdoor unit and progresses through predictable stages:

Stage 1 — Surface oxidation. White powdery deposits on aluminum fins, light green patina on copper fittings, surface rust on steel hardware. At this stage, cleaning and protective treatment can halt progression entirely.

Stage 2 — Active pitting. Salt has penetrated beyond the surface. Aluminum fins show pinholes. Copper fittings develop green-crusted pits at joints. Steel fasteners weaken. At this stage, targeted component repair or replacement stops the damage from spreading.

Stage 3 — Structural degradation. Coil fins are perforated and can no longer transfer heat effectively. Copper joints leak refrigerant. Cabinet hardware fails. Fan mounts loosen. At this stage, major component replacement is typically necessary — condenser coil, refrigerant circuit repair, or in severe cases, full outdoor unit replacement.

Our inspection documents exactly where your system falls on this progression. We photograph corrosion points, measure their extent, and provide a written assessment that tells you what needs attention now, what to monitor, and what can wait.

Specific Corrosion Check Points

Condenser coil fins: Aluminum fins are the first component to show salt damage. We inspect fin condition across the entire coil face, checking for oxidation, pitting, and perforation. Damaged fins reduce airflow and heat transfer — the two things a condenser coil exists to provide.

Copper refrigerant fittings: Every solder joint, flare fitting, and service valve gets inspected for green oxidation that signals salt penetration. Corroded fittings are the primary source of slow refrigerant leaks on coastal systems.

Electrical terminals and connections: Salt corrosion on electrical contacts creates resistance, which generates heat and accelerates component failure. We check contactor points, capacitor terminals, control board connections, and all wire terminations.

Cabinet and mounting hardware: Corroded screws, brackets, and mounts allow vibration damage that compounds over time. A loose compressor mount or unbalanced fan blade causes mechanical stress that leads to premature failure.

Disconnect box and electrical whip: The outdoor disconnect and the wiring between it and the unit are exposed to the same salt air as the unit itself. Corroded disconnects are a fire hazard and a code violation.

Condensate and Humidity Assessment

Gulf Coast humidity creates condensate management problems that inland systems rarely encounter. Your AC removes moisture from indoor air as part of the cooling process. In Galveston, that means your system produces significantly more condensate than identical systems in drier climates — often two to four gallons per day during peak humidity months.

Our inspection checks:

Primary condensate drain line for blockages. Algae, mold, and mineral buildup are accelerated by Gulf Coast humidity. A blocked primary drain causes water to back up into the drain pan and eventually overflow into your ceiling, walls, or attic.

Secondary drain line and overflow protection. If your system has a secondary drain or a float switch, we verify both are functional. These are your last line of defense against water damage.

Drain pan condition. Metal drain pans corrode in humid environments. Plastic pans crack with age. Either failure means water where it shouldn't be.

Evaporator coil for mold and biological growth. The constantly wet coil surface in high-humidity conditions is an ideal breeding ground for mold. We inspect the coil and the area around it for visible growth and musty odors that indicate hidden contamination.

Hurricane and Storm Damage Assessment

Galveston County sits in the direct path of Gulf hurricanes and tropical storms. Even systems that appear undamaged after a storm can have hidden problems:

Debris impact on condenser fins. Wind-driven debris bends and damages fins, reducing airflow. A visual inspection from outside the unit doesn't catch damage on the back or sides.

Flood and surge exposure. If water reached the outdoor unit, electrical components, the compressor, and the fan motor may have been submerged. Salt water exposure to these components causes accelerated corrosion even after the water recedes.

Shifted or tilted condenser pad. Storm surge, flooding, or saturated soil can shift the concrete pad your outdoor unit sits on. A tilted unit causes refrigerant oil pooling, compressor strain, and improper drainage.

Power surge damage. Lightning strikes and power grid fluctuations during storms can damage control boards, capacitors, and compressor windings. These failures may not appear immediately — a surge-damaged capacitor might work for weeks before failing completely.

We recommend a full inspection after any tropical storm or hurricane that affects Galveston County, even if your home and equipment appear undamaged. Hidden damage from storms is one of the leading causes of premature system failure on the Gulf Coast.

Marine Environment Wear

Beyond salt and storms, the Gulf Coast marine environment creates unique wear patterns:

UV degradation on refrigerant line insulation. The intense coastal sun breaks down foam insulation on exposed refrigerant lines faster than inland UV exposure. Degraded insulation reduces efficiency and exposes copper lines to direct salt air contact.

Elevated ambient temperatures reduce condenser efficiency. Galveston's sustained heat means your condenser operates at higher ambient temperatures for more months per year than inland systems, reducing its effective capacity and increasing compressor workload.

Sand infiltration into fan bearings and motor housings. Coastal winds carry fine sand that works into moving parts and accelerates bearing wear.

$129 Coastal HVAC Inspection

Our comprehensive coastal inspection is $129 (regular price $225) and includes the full salt corrosion assessment, condensate and humidity evaluation, storm damage check, and standard system performance testing. You'll receive a written report with photographs documenting every finding, plus clear recommendations prioritized by urgency.

Maintenance plan members receive this inspection as part of their quarterly service schedule with no dispatch fee and priority scheduling. After tropical storms, members get priority emergency inspection scheduling ahead of non-members. Call or schedule online — especially critical after storm season or if your system has gone more than six months without a professional evaluation.