Condenser Damage Caused by Dog Urine?

[TODDMANQA]

I live in an apartment and my AC's condenser is on the back patio of my unit. The landlord is claiming that my dog's pet urine has destroyed the condenser and that the entire unit needs to be replaced. There is visible damage and parts of the fins are crumbling.

Is this even possible? Are there other possible causes that could have done this?

I live in Albany, NY.

[RoBoTeq]

If your dog is peeing on the unit, it will be destroyed. Crumbling aluminum fins and bubbling painted metal surfaces are a sure sign of dog urination causing damage to the unit.

[tpa-fl]

Unless you live near the ocean, there's a 99% chance that it's dog pee. The only "out" you might have is if the urine damage is well above the height of your dog's "reach".

Some dog urine damage pics:
http://www.pictureperfectinspections.com/assets/images/Damage-From-Dog-Urine1.jpg

http://freepoolheat.com/images/pee.jpg

Compare this to ocean-front salt air damage:
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5257/dsc01358wi7.jpg

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/3506/0315071722gy6.jpg

Note that the damage from salt air happens all around the unit and ALL of the metal will be affected, dog pee is confined to usuaully a corner or two, has a triangular shape to it and usually only eats away the coils.

[coordinatesales]

Dog urine is very bad for condensers. There have a been a few threads about it around here before. Heres an example of what it does:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/greenmandm/HPIM1737.jpg


from this thread:http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=135139

and few other threads with pictures:

http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=107679&highlight=piss
http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=104905&highlight=piss
http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=100701&highlight=piss

[TODDMANQA]

Thanks for all your replies.

My landlord wants $x to have the two ton unit replaced.

Is that the only option? Is there any way to fix the crumbling fins, or am I screwed?

Does the price sound reasonable?

Thanks in advance.

[tpa-fl]

Unfortunately, there really isn't any way to re-fin a coil. To do so would require undoing all of the copper tubing, removing all of the old copper / aluminum fins, then machining new ones, and sliding the fins over new copper tubing, etc. To do it right, you'd have to get a mech. engineer involved. Basically, it'd cost a lot more than $XX to do it.

As far as the price, call around and get a few estimates, maybe the landlord would be willing to use a different company with a lower price.

[beenthere]

Your screwed.

You better find a way to curb your dog so you don't have to pay for a second condenser.

[Twilly]

Why don't the Mods stay awake 24/7 so they can delete these prices and why are you responding to a price question tpa-fl as its against the rules.

[acmech13]

gotta love mans best friend. one family swore up and down it couldn't be there dog. It musta been racoons or something.

[mayguy]

Yep, they can do damage..

This what ours looked like when we first moved in.
http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/1571/pict0656gg2.jpg

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/3534/pict0658wh9.jpg

Had it replaced a month after we moved in.
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/8695/pict0867ft1.jpg

[tigerdunes]

todd

How old is existing condenser? I don't think I would even consider paying that amount if old condenser has some age.

I do believe apt dwellers have to be responsible for pet damage assuming pets are even allowed.

If it is undisputable that your dog is the culprit, you might consider a compromise. But then again, what's to keep this from happening again?

IMO

[gevans]

I had to replace my MIL's unit twice in 7 years because of dog pee. It's strong stuff and will definitely eat the aluminum fins right off the coils. The only realistic fix is to replace the outdoor unit. Replacing just the coils is usually not an option.
I don't think your LL is being unreasonable.

[jrbenny]

Why don't the Mods stay awake 24/7 so they can delete these prices and why are you responding to a price question tpa-fl as its against the rules.
We're a lazy bunch. :)

[tpa-fl]

I never directly responded to the guy's pricing question, just suggested he get his own estimates if he had any question as to the cost to replace the unit. I wouldn't be surprised if a landlord tacked on extra $$$ to any repair bill.

[Twilly]

Unfortunately, there really isn't any way to re-fin a coil. To do so would require undoing all of the copper tubing, removing all of the old copper / aluminum fins, then machining new ones, and sliding the fins over new copper tubing, etc. To do it right, you'd have to get a mech. engineer involved. Basically, it'd cost a lot more than $XX to do it.

As far as the price, call around and get a few estimates, maybe the landlord would be willing to use a different company with a lower price.





What?

[Mstrav]

good luck on this one, only thing a could recomend you do is have him pick up part of the tab, since that is an old unit. you will be buying a new one under warranty for 1-10 years.

good luck, and get rid of the dog!

[selfemployed]

How long have you lived there. Or did I miss the answer ?

[JstTrkin]

Dont know how old the unit is or what brand. Doesn't look like anything new or great, but there is a possibility of only replacing the condensor coil ( the pee'd on part)
If you can find one for your unit that is.

[beenthere]

We're a lazy bunch. :)
Almost hate to say it, BUT, we make good money off of dogs doing their buissness.

So maybe this should be left up for future pet owners.