A/C pad disintegrated

[rjn2649]

OK so the foam pad under my unit is going (gone) bye-bye.

How realistic is to think I could S-L-O-W-E-L-Y lift it up, I mean over the period of a couple weeks with a sling from above.

Pull out whats left of the old pad and slide a new pad under it,
With out evacuating, cutting and re-soldering?

And what should I put under another plastic one? Or pour a concrete one under it?

Or was I up too late drinking last night to think this can be done?

 

[mm08822]

Concrete pad is the best.
If the ground next to the foundation has been recently excavated/poorly compacted it is best to key the new pad into the foundation with rebar dowels at time of pour.

However, you won't be doing this too easily with the ac unit still in place.

Plastic bases are usually just thrown onto the ground called good enough. Wonder why they settle and distort??!!

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd call a HVAC company and tell them what you want to do and ask what it would cost. Tell them you will assist with the labor to move it to/from secure storage (garage) so they don't need a helper.

Pour the pad and let it set for a few days. Maybe have them scheduled to be back the following same day of the week as it was removed to reinstall.

A 3'x3' pad, 3 1/2" thick with take five 80lb bags.

 

[brewchief]

We get a call or two a year to remove and reinstall an A/C, it normally ends up 700-800$. If you can support it from above and lift it just an inch or two you can slide out the old pad and replace, you do have to be very careful not to kink the lineset, you don't have to lift it up over time just be very mindful of how much the copper has to bend. Slide a new plastic pad under it and your set. I prefer a plastic pad over concrete most of the time, if a concrete pad settles over time they are a real pain to re level but you can slide a shovel under a plastic pad and lift it up to pack sand under it to make it level again. As new A/C units have grown in size most of the old concrete pads we run across are now far to small and either have to come out or get a plastic pad placed over them.

 

[rjn2649]

Thanks for the input...

Spending money other than materials won't be done, If we get 3 more years out of this thing I'll be happy it's just that that area of the yard needs work. This thing has been tilting for a LONG time. I always over think, and sometimes over build, I'm sure no one here understands that kind of issue....

Thanks brewchief Not saying someones skill set, labour, and investment in tools isn't worth $ 7-800, more like I just ain't got it and would rather put that to a new unit.

as I type, ANOTHER question...why not use treated lumber 2" thick? Not for this fix now, but down the road. We have flood issues and for the pool filter I sunk some 4x4 down and made a 3'x4' deck that sits above the flood waters so our pump isn't submersed after a storm. hasn't moved in 3 years. It floods in the back not by the A/C, but I kind of like the idea of it being off the ground....or am I overthinking AGAIN?

 

[mm08822]

Thanks for the input...

Spending money other than materials won't be done, If we get 3 more years out of this thing I'll be happy it's just that that area of the yard needs work. This thing has been tilting for a LONG time. I always over think, and sometimes over build, I'm sure no one here understands that kind of issue....

Thanks brewchief Not saying someones skill set, labour, and investment in tools isn't worth $ 7-800, more like I just ain't got it and would rather put that to a new unit.

as I type, ANOTHER question...why not use treated lumber 2" thick? Not for this fix now, but down the road. We have flood issues and for the pool filter I sunk some 4x4 down and made a 3'x4' deck that sits above the flood waters so our pump isn't submersed after a storm. hasn't moved in 3 years. It floods in the back not by the A/C, but I kind of like the idea of it being off the ground....or am I overthinking AGAIN?

If there is only 3yrs of life remaining and it is in a flood area, then it is not worth the effort.
Leave it for now and make a plan to elevate the new unit at time of its install.
Many shore locations raise ac units and generators on wood frames/platforms. Some 3' and some as high as 12'!
Just make sure it can be serviced safely.

 

[mpire]

Cant you just bolt some angle iron that they use for garage door opener hanging to the top of the unit using the existing screws and then bolt some lumber to that and jack with a regular car jack and set on saw horses?

The new pads are super light concrete over styrofoam and $60 at your local AC supply house. One man can push them around pretty easy.

I would screw an anchor into the old pad after jacking up the unit half an inch and then pull it out slowly with a cumalong. Then slide in the new one. Shouldn't be too dramatic.

 

[PoorOwner]

If you peel out the sealant at the wall maybe you have some wiggle room.

 

[rjn2649]

To clarify The A/c is not in a flood area, my pool filter is I was using the example of my pool filter deck to ask why that's not done with A/C units...I guess it is, just not around here. The reason for changing the pad and messing with it now is looks.

The old pad looks like nothing but foam and plastic.

I like the idea of pulling out the sealant, BUT they tuck pointed around the tubing at some point in life.

 

[brewchief]

I know exactly the type of pad you have, it's a plastic skin over foam, the plastic skin falls apart and everything looks terrible. Lift it and slide a new pad under for now, when it's time to replace it build an elevated deck for the new unit. We set a couple units on decks every year, most of the time it's due to a slope but keeping it above possible flood water would be just as good of a reason.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[Bert_]

I've used the precast lids for concrete well curbs. You can get ones about 2-3' in diameter that work good.

 

[EOC_Jason]

They do sell pre-cast concrete pads that have a large foam section under them to reduce weight. If you can prop up your current AC a little to clear out underneath and level the ground you can slide one of those in easy...

Probably the most important thing is just to have it level and at a height that it won't get water seeping in, that material under it can be anything.

 

[bonneyman]

They do sell pre-cast concrete pads that have a large foam section under them to reduce weight. If you can prop up your current AC a little to clear out underneath and level the ground you can slide one of those in easy...

Probably the most important thing is just to have it level and at a height that it won't get water seeping in, that material under it can be anything.

Yeah, that's the new replacement pad I'd recommend. Lighter and easier than pouring concrete, but more durable than straight plastic.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003OFANJ6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[EOC_Jason]

Yeah some have a foam insert, some are mixed with foam beads... Either way you should be able to get a size you need at an A/C supply house, as long as you are paying cash they will usually sell direct to the public.

 

[NUTTSGT]

$700-800 wow.

 

[southalabama]

I'm glad sometimes I live in a third world state.

No way it would cost anything near that here.

 

[The Cobbler]

for 2-3 yrs I would lift it up one side at a time and slide a PT 2x under

 

[brewchief]

$700-800 wow.

Well to disconnect the unit and reinstall it at a later date you will have two trips, first trip out we would pump the unit down and close the service valves trapping the refrigerant in the condenser, then cut the copper lines, crimp them and braze them shut and disconnect the electrical. By the time you meet the customer, do the work and handle the paperwork you will have at least an hour wrapped up in the job.

The second trip you have to fit up the lines outside, braze them, replace the filter dryer that's typically inside in the basement or in the attic, pressure test with nitrogen, pull a vacuum to below 500 microns, pulling a good vacuum can take an hour sometimes if there is a bunch of residual oil still holding trace amounts of refrigerant. At that point you can open the service valves and test the unit.

Realistically between the two trips you will be on the job site 3-4 hours by the time it's all said and done, you will have some consumables involved(not a lot but some) and if the slightest thing goes wrong with the unit in the next ten years you will get the phone call and hear how it never had a problem until you touched it.


For a unit that's near the end of it's life I would do my best to convince the customer to either leave it as is, lift it enough to slide a pad under or go ahead and replace the unit sooner then later. It would be uncommon for us to disconnect a unit just to pour a pad under it although it has happened, foundation work or removing an underground oil tank are more common reasons we have temporally removed one.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Yeah like when the valves are out on the compressor and it won't pump down... That's always a fun discussion with the customer...

Realistically between the two trips you will be on the job site 3-4 hours by the time it's all said and done, you will have some consumables involved(not a lot but some) and if the slightest thing goes wrong with the unit in the next ten years you will get the phone call and hear how it never had a problem until you touched it.

 

[Trey T]

Get the plastic pads and set it on a firm foundation. If you're a weekend warrior, do a concrete pad.

 

[Climatecreator]

Try this using ratchet straps except I'd use slotted angle to build the frame around the base.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Try this using ratchet straps except I'd use slotted angle to build the frame around the base.

That seems a little excessive, I would build the base like they did, and either shim it up a little around each corner with scrap wood, or maybe some bricks...

 

[Climatecreator]

In the past we have done it with a couple of guys, two lifting and one guy running longer material of sufficient strength to bridge and support the unit then placing the ends on stacked blocks. While we exhumed the pad and set a new one. We buy solid cement pads from the local concrete casting companies.

That's just a picture I found on the net that a home owner concocted to get the job done solo. It's not a bad way to go if you've got the time I guess.

CC

 

[bonneyman]

Try this using ratchet straps except I'd use slotted angle to build the frame around the base.

Nice job!

I was trying to devise something similar to that for lifting compressors out of units so as not to kill my back.

 

[firebirdparts]

You can lift it, no problem. The lines are flexible, but their routing will affect how flexible you can be. I poured concrete under mine a while back, and I just stuck a board all the way through under it.

The A/C supply houses here have cracked down 100% on non-A/C-contractors. Everything has to be mail order for me or else hire somebody to go to the store for me.

 

[Climatecreator]

Nice job! [emoji106]

I was trying to devise something similar to that for lifting compressors out of units so as not to kill my back.

Lean a ladder against the house and use that to hold a small atv winch or ratchet strap. Also if the unit is small enough a folding ladder if the ladder is big enough or I use what's called around here an aircraft ladder like this one https://amzn.to/2GDvMw0 because it's so versatile and I can raise the height OR open it straight and lean it depending on height of unit.

CC

 

[mm08822]

Lean a ladder against the house and use that to hold a small atv winch or ratchet strap. Also if the unit is small enough a folding ladder if the ladder is big enough or I use what's called around here an aircraft ladder like this one https://amzn.to/2GDvMw0 because it's so versatile and I can raise the height OR open it straight and lean it depending on height of unit.

CC

I love the ladder idea. Even 2 ladders - 1 for each side/******** the unit. Couldn't be any quicker, simpler, temporary and no scars!

 

[Climatecreator]

I love the ladder idea. Even 2 ladders - 1 for each side/******** the unit. Couldn't be any quicker, simpler, temporary and no scars!

Those aircraft ladders come apart to make TWO separate ladders.....

 

[TractorJeff]

I put pressure treated under mine 17 years ago. Back when PT was real!
when I bought the place it had an awefull tilt.