Knowing how to deal with flooding in your commercial kitchen is essential.
A flooded kitchen calls for immediate mitigation of the problem for lesser water damage. Quick action means you’ll be back on your feet in no time. Our team at Deep Water knows how to clean up a flooded kitchen. As your partners in mitigation, we’re here to provide you with helpful tips.
Flooding in your kitchen is a stressful predicament. We’ve put together this guide to help keep you and your staff safe so that when you find yourself in this situation, you’ll know how to manage it.
Causes of Commercial Kitchen Water Damage
Aside from natural disasters, other causes may trigger flooding. Knowing what caused it will help you know what preventive measures to take.
Keep an eye out for these common causes:
- Leaky pipes or faucets
- Roof leaks
- Damaged windows
- Broken HVAC system
- Burst pipes
- Faulty water sprinklers
- Broken kitchen equipment
How to Avoid A Flooding Disaster in Your Kitchen
Flooding can catch you off-guard. Here are the common culprits of kitchen flooding and what you can do to prevent it from happening:
- Refrigerator: Be mindful of the supply lines behind the refrigerator – practice caution when you’re cleaning behind it.
- Dishwashers: Conduct routine inspection and check the housing, seals, and water hoses.
- Sink Pipes: Subject them to yearly maintenance and have essential plumbing tools ready, which will come in handy when pipes burst.
Tips On How To Handle a Flooded Kitchen Floor
Keeping your kitchen dry and clean is a priority because this is where food preparation happens. Sometimes, it takes more than a mop to clear water in your commercial kitchen. When flooding occurs, do the following:
1. Turn Off the Water Supply.
If flooding is due to a burst or leaky pipe, turn off the water supply line valve immediately and keep flooding to a minimum. Head over to the shutoff valve if the water keeps on flowing or if you don’t know the source of the leak.
2. Switch Off the Fuse Box Immediately.
Before the water reaches a dangerous level, turn off the electricity supply to the kitchen. Unplug all the appliances, including the ones on top of the kitchen counter. Cut the power in other flooded areas of your property, if there are any. Alert everyone to avoid flooded areas to prevent accidents.
3. Don’t Forget Your Gas Stoves.
You must know how to turn off your gas stoves properly. Flooding may damage the components of your stoves. Once you’re able to clean up the flood, have experts check every part of your kitchen.
4. Cover Appliances or Put Them in Elevated Places.
Prepare your kitchen if there’s a storm coming your way or you’re near the coastal areas. Covering appliances or putting them in high places will keep them from harm’s way and save you money because you won’t need to buy a replacement.
5. Wear Protective Equipment When Cleaning Out the Flood.
If the flooding is not extensive, mops and buckets may be enough. If you’re dealing with floodwater, wear gloves and boots; the water may be contaminated and may put your health at risk. Advise your staff always to use protective equipment when cleaning a flooded kitchen.
6. Take Photos of the Flood Damage.
Even if you’re busy managing the situation, don’t forget to take photos. Doing this will help speed up your insurance claims and lift some financial burdens off your shoulders. Here’s how you should do it:
- Use a phone with high resolution.
- Check if the photos are not blurry.
- Take photos at different angles.
- Capture the area where the flooding started.
The photos you’ll take will serve as proof to the insurance investigators.
7. Block the Source of the Water.
Don’t forget to block the water source. If you’ve been mopping the floors and the water doesn’t subside, you might have missed a damaged pipe. Try a temporary fix while waiting for the professionals to arrive, i.e., turn off the water supply and use rugs to cover the pipe.
8. Know When to Call Water Damage Mitigation Professionals.
Sometimes, your efforts may not suffice. When the flooding doesn’t subside, it’s time to call experts for help; the longer you let the water sit, the worse the water damage will get. They have the tools, equipment, and skills to restore your flooded kitchen to its pre-damaged state.
Call Deep Water Mitigation Professionals
When it comes to water damage mitigation, you should call us.
Deep Water’s mitigation experts have responded to many flooding situations of varying causes. Our water damage mitigation services in the Dallas, TX area are available to help clear out flooding in your property anytime, any day!
