Water Damage In Restaurants

By Author: Leo Nov
Total Articles: 883
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In restaurants, water damage must be dealt with carefully and properly to keep the environment sanitary - a primary concern in any food establishment. Incidents that involve contaminated water such as floods can lead to various problems for a restaurant business, some potentially creating imminent risks to the health of both staff and customers.
Some of the common issues faced by a water-damaged or flooded restaurant include power loss, sewage backups, and contamination of water supply, all of which forces the restaurant to stop operations. Any time a restaurant experiences water damage that may endanger public health, it must stop preparing or serving food. Otherwise, it could also face legal liabilities.
Consequently, water damage can make a huge blow to a restaurant business. Owners face loss of income while the restaurant remains closed for cleanup, repair or renovation. There is also the risk of significant investment loss if water damages kitchen equipment or furniture or contaminated water comes into contact with food products, which would then have to be discarded.
Preparedness and Education
Restaurant ...
... owners should assess their facilities and determine which areas in their building are prone to water damage so they can reinforce them. Also, restaurant owners should initiate mitigation efforts such as installing waterproofing systems to protect their investments from various types of water damage.
An example of waterproofing is the use of non-absorbent coatings and materials on interior surfaces to make them easier to clean and sanitize. Another way to mitigate water damage is to put in place an elevated electrical system. For instance, wall outlets are installed 42 inches off the floor. It is also a good idea to use furniture and appliances that can be removed and stored away easily in a safe location when a storm threatens.
At the same time, owners should educate themselves and their staff on how to prevent incidents that lead to water damage. Many in the restaurant business probably don't know that something trivial as pouring cooking grease down the drain could eventually lead to sewage backup. Of course, owners should also make sure that their staff knows how to stop potential water damage such as knowing how to turn off the sprinkler system when it's triggered.
Another important part of being prepared is setting up a pre-loss service agreement with a qualified water damage contractor so they can provide immediate response, which is critical in situations like a water damage incident.
Water Damage Recovery
Before starting the cleanup of the restaurant, make sure it is safe to do so. Do not endanger your staff or yourself by recklessly entering the restaurant after water damage without surveying the surroundings first. Check for the smell of leaking gas, turn off the main water supply and the power to the building (if this can be done safely) and stay away from floodwaters or any possibly contaminated standing water.
While waiting for restoration professionals to arrive, workers can start simple cleanup such as moving furniture to a dry location and wiping them dry, extracting as much water as they can from the area, and taking out wet carpets.
After water damage, the restaurant and all its wet contents must be dried out as soon as possible. Steps should also be taken to evaluate the damage and plan for repairs and renovation. This is where the service of a professional water damage restoration team can be of much help.
Leo Nov is an editorial staff member of RestorationSOS.com, a leading service provider for water damage cleanups. To learn more about water damage in restaurant and water damage, visit RestorationSOS.com