How to prevent sparrows from nesting under roof air conditioner unit?

[Sunny18]

 

We found that birds had been nesting both in the unit and in the box underneath the unit which they were accessing under a tin platform which had a small gap in it. Although the A/C technician had sealed the A/C unit,, the birds still access the roof via the corrugated roofing as well. What should I do? 

Some people had suggested installing gutter guards to prevent birds from landing on the  roof. Please advise, thank you

 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Sunny18,

It seems the air conditioner unit has some visible damage, with panels not aligning properly and the front panel missing. Was the unit struck by something, or has it been affected by weather or wear over time? If the missing panel can be replaced, that would be a good first step to secure the unit. If the unit can’t be fully restored, you may need to install steel mesh to cover any open areas that birds could use as entry points. Ensure the mesh is secured with adhesive and doesn’t interfere with the unit’s operation or airflow.

Regarding birds accessing the roof cavity through the corrugated roofing, gutter guards might deter them from entering those areas. Alternatively, gaps can be sealed using expanding foam or by fitting wire mesh underneath the roofing to block their entry.

If you’re not comfortable working on the roof or installing these measures, it’s best to contact a pest prevention expert who can assess and resolve the issue professionally. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Sunny18]

Hi MitchellMc

Thank you for your reply. 

Air conditioning technician undertook an examination of the evaporative cooling system. He found that the system was in a state of general disrepair and badly needed a service. 

Then he undertook this service. The unit itself was semi full with mud, sludge and leave and other materials including bird nesting materials.

He managed to remove all of this and upon checking the functionality of the system found it to now be working extremely well. It was not working well 

prior.

He also found that the ducting in the roof was in good condition and the residue coming down the ducting was due to the access the birds had gained to the evaporative system and not the ducting in the roof. 

He found that birds had been nesting both in the unit and in the box underneath the unit which they were accessing under a tin platform which had a small gap in it. He did seal this gap to stop this although he believes it is possible the birds may try to pick there way into this again next year. 

He removed all the contaminants that were in the ducting  - both heating and cooling ducts - bringing them back to excellent condition. 

He cleaned all ducted outlets both for the evaporative system and the ducted heating system. All came up to excellent condition.

[MitchellMc]

That's good to hear @Sunny18.

Did you take this picture before he re-assembled the unit? It's just that it's leaning over to the right. The top panel doesn't appear to be connected to the left-hand panel, and generally, it looks like it's in a partially disassembled state. 

The reason I ask is because it would be difficult to keep birds out of a unit in this condition with large gaps in its panelling. I would imagine that if assembled correctly, the manufacturer would have designed it to be relatively birdproof. Is there a missing panel at the front or is that opening part of the design?

Mitchell

[Sunny18]

Hi MitchellMc

You are right. After he cleaned, a few days later the air conditioning has come apart bits on the ground thinks from the winds looks like the one on the roof is about to collapse. So the tenant took that photo and notified me. please find the attached photos for reference.

Fortunately, he fixed it later. He went back to the property and sealed up around the entire roofline of the AC using a silicone sealant, also got back in the roof and ensured there was no bird activity in the unit and ducts, System is working ok now. However, the birds are still enter via other access points.

Best Regards
Sunny

  

[EricL]

Hello @Sunny18 

Thank you for sharing those extra pictures. I'm glad to hear that the air conditioning unit is now functional. In regards to the other entry points, I suggest following Mitchell's suggestions of using self-expanding foam in combination with steel mesh to cut off all entry points into your roof.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Sunny18]

After fixing the air conditioner another problem came up, Not the best but to show you the leaks apparently there’s a slow leak and one that’s coming out pretty quick. 

Air conditioning cleaner told me that the evaporative AC works by water flowing into 4 cardboard pads in the system that sits on the roof. The cardboard pads act as a sponge from which moisture is drawn out via the units fan and the the fan sends tiny micro sized droplets of water through the ducting which cools the house. 

One of the pads is rotten and damaged. He discovered this when he first serviced the unit and put it back together. However the pad is now collapsing which means the water that is supposed to be being absorbed into the pad is flowing directly into the unit below and eventually finds its way into the house.

He told me that this problem is fixed by simply replacing the pads. If I replace all the pads that will alleviate this problem occurring in the other pads in due course. However if I can replace the pad that would be OK too.

The issue is that usually the pads are only sold in sets of 4 however he will check that and hopefully he can get 1 only.

As he was busy with other work, this issue has not been resolved.

 

 

 

 

 

[EricL]

Hi @Sunny18 

From a repair point of view, it would be prudent to replace all four at the same time. In this manner you'll get maximum functionality from the air con unit. All four pads would age at the same time, and you would get the best use out of them. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Sunny18]

Hi Eric

Thank you for your reply.

Should I wait for him to replace the pads and then install gutter guards to prevent birds from getting inside the roof.

Please see the attached photo for reference.

Do you think the material can provide a 5 year warranty?

Please advise, thanks

Best Regards 

sunny

 

[EricL]

Hello @Sunny18 

If you are confident that you can replace the pads safely then I suggest putting new ones in, but if the technician has mentioned that they will be the ones replacing it, it would be best to leave it to the professionals. The product has been tested for Australian weather conditions, it's therefore designed to last at least 5 years. Should it fail before the 5 years are up you can claim your warranty for the product.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric