No cover, just a spray, 12 minutes, then 'let's top up the freon' — how many red flags is that?

Editorial guide · Updated 18 September 2026

In short Short answer: yes, four red flags at once — no cover/collection bag (dirty water from inside dripped onto your carpet), spray only with no mechanical washing (it doesn't remove the deposit, only chemically treats the surface), the 12-minute duration (mechanically cleaning an evaporator that fast isn't possible), and the 'freon top-up' with no gauge shown (a real diagnosis is demonstrated, not eyeballed, and a sealed system doesn't lose refrigerant without an actual leak). What you got was a quick spray plus an upsell, not a sanitising.

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Situation discussed

I called someone found on OLX for sanitising a unit in Colentina (9 years old, never cleaned before). He told me 'that's normal, it's done fast'. Are these red flags, or is that really how it's done? See current rates on the Prices page.

Editorial explanation · Revizie AC

What is really happening

The EPA is clear on this: mould must be physically removed, not merely 'killed' with a spray, because it remains allergenic even dead, and the effectiveness of biocides sprayed into air systems is not demonstrated and their health effects are uncertain. Without a cover or collection bag, water contaminated with the evaporator's deposits goes straight into the room, onto the carpet or furniture — exactly what the sealed-cover method is meant to prevent. As for freon: a unit's commercial warranty in Romania usually requires following the manual's maintenance instructions, not undocumented top-ups from a one-off technician.

Four services, different purposes — Inspection: assessing condition and symptoms.
Service check: checks and measurements appropriate to the unit.
Cleaning: removing deposits.
Sanitising: suitable treatment of cleaned surfaces.
The actual scope is confirmed before the visit.

What the studies say

EPA principle: mould must be physically removed, not merely 'killed'; biocides are not recommended as routine practice. [US EPA, 2024]
EPA warns that the effectiveness of biocides sprayed into air systems has not been demonstrated and their health effects are uncertain. [US EPA, 2024]
Mould remains allergenic even when dead, so merely 'killing' it with a spray does not solve the problem – it must be physically removed. [US EPA, 2024]
In Romania, a unit's commercial warranty usually requires following the manual's maintenance instructions; consumers can turn to ANPC for disputes. [ANPC, 2025]

What we do on site

Next time, ask explicitly: sealed cover/collection bag fitted before starting, adjustable pressure wash (not just spray), minimum 45 minutes for an average unit.
With us: we protect the surrounding area with foil, the collection bag catches all the dirty water, nothing reaches the carpet or furniture.
We stick strictly to sanitising — no repairs, no refrigerant top-up, no installations; if we see a real technical issue, we tell you, but we don't fix it on site.
If the Colentina unit wasn't cleaned properly, we can redo it — we show you the difference from what you had, with photos. See current rates on the Prices page.

What you can do yourself

Photograph any stain or leak that appears during a visit — useful if you claim damages.
Always ask to see the cover/bag fitted before work starts, whoever you work with.
Ask to see the gauge connected if someone tells you the freon is low.

What NOT to do

Do not let anyone spray directly onto the evaporator with no cover/collection bag underneath.
Do not pay for a 'freon top-up' with no measurement shown — a sealed system doesn't lose refrigerant without a real leak.
Do not accept 'it's normal' as an answer when dirty water reaches your carpet.

Prevention

Four red flags: no cover, spray only, under 15-20 minutes, 'freon' with no gauge — not sanitising, a quick spray plus an upsell.

When to call us

0764 012 943, WhatsApp, Monday–Saturday 08:00–20:00; we come to Colentina to redo it properly, with a cover and pressure wash, no freon upsell.

Technician completing the report on a tablet, equipment packed at her feet

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Sources (6)

The information on this page is educational and based on cited sources; it does not replace medical advice. We do not do repairs, installation or refrigerant circuit work.