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It is important that you know what to do when flooding hits a commercial kitchen. For starters, you need to act fast if you want to minimize the impact of water damage.
Doing so will also allow you to get back on the ground in no time and for the kitchen to return to normal operations quickly.
Commercial Kitchen Water Damage
A flooded kitchen can be a stressful situation and can be caused by factors other than natural disasters. It is important that you find out the cause so you can take the appropriate preventive measures.
Below are the common causes of commercial kitchen flooding that you should find interesting:
- Leaky pipes or faucets
- Busted HVAC system
- Roof leaks
- Malfunctioning water sprinklers
- Broken kitchen equipment
- Burst pipes
- Damaged windows
How to Avoid Kitchen Flooding
Flooding in the kitchen does not happen every day, so here are the areas that you should check regularly to avoid a disaster in the area:
Pay close attention to the supply lines that run behind this sensitive appliance. These need to be regularly cleaned, and when you do, clean them cautiously.
For this appliance, three areas should be routinely inspected, namely, the housing, the seals, and the water hoses. When checking, look for any signs of damage, particularly a leak.
These should ideally be inspected every year. In case of an emergency like a sudden leak, it’s important that you keep the essential plumbing tools on hand.
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How to Handle a Flood-Prone Commercial Kitchen
If there’s a flood in the kitchen, it is important that you try to keep the place clean as this is where food preparation normally takes place. Clearing water from commercial kitchens can take more than just simple mopping, said a water damage restoration Colorado Springs professional. Ideally, you should follow these steps
If the cause of the flooding is a burst or leaky pipe, this should be stopped immediately to prevent further damage. If the water continues to flow or if you’re not sure where the leak is coming from, head over to the shutoff valve.
Turn off the electricity supply to your kitchen before the water reaches dangerous levels. All appliances should also be unplugged, even those placed on top of the counter. If the floodwaters have reached other areas on your property, turn off the power in these places as well. To prevent accidents, alert everyone about the flooded areas and avoid them.
Flooding can cause damage to your stoves, so it is important that you know how to properly turn them off. After you have cleaned up the floodwater, contact experts to inspect every area of your kitchen, especially the gas stoves.
Moving appliances to elevated areas will keep them safe from floodwaters and help you save money. This is especially true when there is an approaching storm, or if you live near the coast.
Mops and buckets could be sufficient if the flooding isn’t severe. Nevertheless, you should wear protective gloves and boots once you start draining the floodwaters because these could be contaminated and can expose you and your staff to various health risks.
Even if you’re busy trying to manage the watery situation, remember to take several photos of the disaster. They can be used as evidence and should help in speeding up your insurance claims. When taking pictures, keep in mind the following:
- High-resolution phones are recommended.
- Take a clear picture of the flooded area.
- Don’t submit blurred photos.
- Take your photos from different angles.
Do not forget to shut off the water supply. If the flood isn’t subsiding even after you have been mopping the floors several times, the culprit could be a damaged pipe. While waiting for the experts to arrive, you can try to cover the suspected damaged pipe with rugs as a temporary solution.
Sometimes your best efforts might not be enough, so if the flooding continues, you should call water damage experts for assistance. They have the skills, equipment, and knowledge to restore your kitchen to its original condition.
Key Takeaway
Floods are always dangerous, but the stakes become higher when it involves the kitchen area. This is because water damage is not the only issue here; the place houses electrical supplies and various appliances that can lead to other problems like electrocution and fires.
Thus, it’s important that you know what to do when it comes to minimizing the damage that a flood can bring to your kitchen. This should include calling reputable companies that provide excellent water damage restoration services, especially if you find that your solution is not working in helping the kitchen flood to subside.
