Orlando's AC systems run 10+ months a year. A single blocked condensate drain line silently floods ceiling cavities for days or weeks before a homeowner notices. When you finally see the soft spot in your ceiling, mold is already growing. Thermal imaging finds what you can't see.
In most US climates, air conditioning runs 4–5 months per year. In Orlando, it runs 10–11 months. That continuous operation means continuous condensate production — and continuous opportunity for the drain system to fail.
The mechanics: your AC unit removes humidity from indoor air, collecting moisture on the evaporator coil. That water drips into a drain pan and flows through a condensate line to a floor drain or outside. Two things cause this system to fail in Florida:
When the drain pan overflows in an attic-mounted air handler — which is standard in most Orlando homes — the water typically falls into the ceiling cavity below, saturating insulation and drywall from the inside out. You see nothing until the drywall softens or a stain appears. By then, mold has been growing for days.
Important: If you see water dripping from an AC vent or ceiling, shut off your AC immediately — running it continues the overflow. Then call DryGuard at (407) 250-7641. Do not run your AC until the drain line is cleared and the ceiling damage is fully dried.
Coverage depends on whether the insurer classifies the event as "sudden and accidental" vs. "gradual." A failed float switch that caused a one-time overflow event is typically classified as sudden — and covered. A drain line that has been slowly dripping for months due to deferred maintenance may be classified as gradual and excluded. DryGuard's documentation specifically notes the failure mechanism (float switch failure, sudden algae blockage) in language that supports sudden-event classification. Most Orlando homeowners receive coverage when the event is properly documented from the start.
Quarterly HVAC maintenance that includes condensate drain line flushing with a diluted vinegar or bleach solution prevents most algae-related blockages. Install a condensate drain pan alarm (under $20) that alerts you when the pan is filling. Verify your float switch is functional during each HVAC tune-up. Replace the switch every 3–5 years — it's a $15 part that prevents $3,000 in damage. DryGuard recommends twice-yearly HVAC preventive maintenance for Orlando homeowners given the year-round AC operation.
In Orlando's 74–77% humidity, a ceiling soaked by an AC overflow is already growing mold within 24 hours. Thermal imaging finds the full moisture extent. Written estimate before work starts.