Every restaurant needs a steady supply of water to prepare food, clean appliances, and keep everyone hydrated. As vital as water is, however, it can also wreak havoc on your restaurant if not properly controlled. When moisture invades your facility, it can create health and safety hazards, encourage mold and mildew to thrive, deteriorate your surfaces, and more. While moisture intrusion is a threat all year long, the summer months tend to ratchet up this risk due to high humidity levels, heavy rainfall, and increased kitchen activity. With that in mind, here are some ways to mitigate moisture intrusion in your restaurant this summer.

Keep Tabs on Your Restaurant’s Roof and Gutters

Moisture can attack your restaurant from all angles, but its most common route is from above, namely through any cracks found in your building’s roofing. Indeed, even minor breaches in your roof can create major problems inside your restaurant -- leaks above the dining area will turn customers away, and those in your kitchen can interfere with food production. As such, it’s crucial to hire facility maintenance services to inspect your roof periodically, checking for any cracks, holes, or anomalies regarding heat transfer. Likewise, you must ensure that your building’s gutters remain clean and clear so rainfall can easily glide away from your siding and foundation.

Seal Your Restaurant’s Gaps and Seams

Even when water does end up on your building envelope, you want to prevent it from gaining access to your interior by any means necessary. The best way to block off your building this way is to thoroughly caulk every gap and seam both inside your property and on its exterior. Quality caulk jobs can last up to five years before requiring replacement, but it’s a good idea to inspect your caulking periodically to make sure it’s all still functioning as it should.

Properly Ventilate Your Kitchen and Dining Area

Not all water problems come from outside, of course, especially inside a kitchen. The heat and moisture created during food production can quickly raise humidity levels inside your restaurant if your facility isn’t well-ventilated. Proper humidity control is essential for reducing condensation that commonly accumulates on kitchen ceilings, walls, and floors. This climate control should extend to your dining area as well, especially during summer when outdoor humidity levels are so often high. In this way, cleaning, repairing, and updating your restaurant’s HVAC systems are a key component of building maintenance and moisture mitigation.

Keep Your Floors Clean

Water and other liquids are bound to end up on your floors every now and then. It’s important to avoid spills as much as possible, but more important to have a plan in place to pick up spills right after they occur -- leaving a spill as it is (and/or not clearly marking it) puts your employees and customers at risk and also paves the way for bacteria, mold, and floor deterioration. In addition to properly spot cleaning spills, hire commercial floor cleaning services for periodic deep cleaning protocols. Doing so will help get rid of any grime that’s built up on your restaurant flooring.

Maintain Your Facility’s Pipes

Faulty pipes are another common cause of moisture intrusion and water damage in any commercial facility. Indeed, if you notice signs of water-related damage in your restaurant, you should hire professionals to inspect your plumbing and potable/chilled water systems and make any necessary repairs or replacements.

Don’t Let Moisture Intrude on a Successful Summer for Your Restaurant

After a year that was already so challenging for the restaurant industry, water problems are the last thing you need at your facility. If you’re concerned about moisture intrusion this summer or merely want to increase your preventative measures, The Budd Group has the services, expertise, and personnel you need, from commercial restaurant cleaning to leak prevention to facility support and so much more. To learn more about our services and values, give us a call today at 800-221-8158!