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HearthDry
Extreme Urgency Commercial

Restaurant & Food Service
Water Damage Restoration

Water damage in a restaurant creates an immediate health code crisis. A single pipe burst or dishwasher overflow can shutter your kitchen for days — impacting not just revenue, but your health permit status, food inventory, and staff wages. IICRC S500-certified restoration gets you back to service faster.

Avg $850/hour in lost revenue during closure

(888) 840-6512Get Commercial Estimate

Immediate Priority Actions

  1. 1

    Shut off all kitchen equipment and water supply immediately

  2. 2

    Notify your health department within 24 hours of any sewage or Category 3 contamination

  3. 3

    Document all food inventory losses before disposal (required for insurance claim)

  4. 4

    Contact your property insurer AND business interruption insurer — both may apply

  5. 5

    Call restoration immediately — health permit re-inspection cannot happen until full remediation is complete

Common Restaurant & Food Service Water Damage Causes

  • ✓Commercial dishwasher supply line failure
  • ✓Grease trap backup causing Category 3 contamination
  • ✓Walk-in cooler refrigerant line leak
  • ✓Roof drain overflow onto prep areas
  • ✓Ice machine drain line blockage
  • ✓Fire suppression system discharge over kitchen

Commercial Insurance Tips

  • $

    Business Interruption (BI) insurance typically covers lost revenue from forced closure — file a BI claim immediately

  • $

    Food spoilage coverage is typically separate from water damage coverage — check your policy

  • $

    Health department violations resulting from covered water damage may be covered under your policy's 'Civil Authority' provision

Reopening Checklist

Do not reopen until all items are cleared:

  • Health department re-inspection clearance

  • Commercial kitchen equipment testing and certification

  • Staff ServSafe certification verification after contamination events

  • All surfaces in food prep areas pass HACCP standards

  • Pest control inspection (moisture attracts rodents within 24–48 hours)

Commercial emergency?

Every hour = $850 in potential losses

Call 24/7

Commercial crews available now

Response Timeline

Dispatch
<1 hour
Extraction start
On arrival
Avg drying time
3–7 days
Insurance docs
Same day

Other Industries

Restaurant & Food Service Water Damage — FAQ

What are the most common causes of water damage in a restaurant & food service?
Common causes of restaurant & food service water damage: Commercial dishwasher supply line failure; Grease trap backup causing Category 3 contamination; Walk-in cooler refrigerant line leak; Roof drain overflow onto prep areas; Ice machine drain line blockage; Fire suppression system discharge over kitchen.
What should I do immediately after water damage in my restaurant & food service?
Immediate steps for restaurant & food service water damage: 1. Shut off all kitchen equipment and water supply immediately 2. Notify your health department within 24 hours of any sewage or Category 3 contamination 3. Document all food inventory losses before disposal (required for insurance claim) 4. Contact your property insurer AND business interruption insurer — both may apply 5. Call restoration immediately — health permit re-inspection cannot happen until full remediation is complete
How does insurance work for restaurant & food service water damage?
Insurance considerations for restaurant & food service water damage: Business Interruption (BI) insurance typically covers lost revenue from forced closure — file a BI claim immediately Food spoilage coverage is typically separate from water damage coverage — check your policy Health department violations resulting from covered water damage may be covered under your policy's 'Civil Authority' provision
How long does it take to restore a restaurant & food service after water damage?
Restaurant & Food Service restoration depends on the size of the affected area, water category, and whether structural materials need replacement. Extraction and initial drying typically takes 3-7 days with industrial equipment. Reconstruction adds additional time. Commercial restoration teams prioritize minimizing your downtime — most restaurant & food service businesses can reopen in affected sections not under active remediation. Key metric: Avg $850/hour in lost revenue during closure.
  • IICRC Certified
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