Tiny Drops. Big Damage!
Condensation isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a silent threat to your building, your equipment, and your customers’ safety. Addressing it early saves you money and protects your restaurant’s reputation. Here’s what to do when…
Specific Causes of Condensation
- Inadequate Ventilation: A lack of proper exhaust fans and overall ventilation systems fails to remove this moist air, allowing it to accumulate and condense.
- Building Leaks and Poor Insulation: Gaps in walls, roofs, or around pipes can allow humid air to enter and become trapped, especially in spaces where it can condense on surfaces. Refrigerant pipes not being insulated will reduce HVAC efficiency by allowing heat gain or loss, which can lead to increased energy consumption, higher utility bills, and potential system damage due to condensation
- Thermostat Set Too Low: When the thermostat is set to a temperature that is too low, the air conditioner may not run a full cycle long enough to properly dehumidify the air. In very humid weather, if the air is cooled quickly but the humidity is not removed, it can lead to high indoor humidity and condensation on cold surfaces
- Supply Duct Tears: Any gaps or tears in your ductwork can result in uneven temperatures and cause condensation.
- Restricted Air Flow: Clogged AC coils or filters rees duca system’s efficiency, leading to weak airflow, uneven cooling, condensation and higher energy bills.
- Clogged Drains: Drains being blocked will result in excess moisture and humidity.
Consequences of Condensation
- Bacterial Growth and Contamination: Moisture provides a favorable environment for harmful bacteria, like Listeria and Salmonella, to grow on surfaces and food products, increasing the risk of cross-contamination.
- Mold and Mildew: Condensation can lead to the rapid spread of mold and mildew, which can contaminate surfaces, pose serious health risks to staff, and lead to respiratory issues when spores become airborne.
- Building Damage: Condensation will cause damage to your ceiling tiles, light fixtures, and your expensive operating equipment.
Operational and Financial Impacts
- Slip and Fall Hazards: Condensation on floors creates slippery conditions, increasing the risk of accidents, injuries, and potential liability for the restaurant.
- Employee Health and Productivity: Uncomfortable, humid working conditions can lead to lower staff morale, decreased productivity, and more frequent health issues.
- Health Code Violations and Closures: Persistent moisture and unsanitary conditions can result in fines, forced production halts, or even temporary closure of the restaurant.
How to prevent or eliminate condensation:
Improve Ventilation and Airflow
- Maintain HVAC systems: Regularly scheduled maintenance, such as, changing filters, cleaning coils and sealing any duct leaks to ensure proper, unrestricted airflow.
- Proper Exhaust Systems: Ensure kitchen hoods and ventilation systems are adequately sized and balanced to remove hot, moist air and are supplied with sufficient makeup air.
Control Humidity Levels
- Use Dehumidifiers: Install dehumidification systems to actively remove moisture from the air, especially in the kitchen and other high-humidity zones. Most commercial systems have humidity controls, dampers, and economizers.Contact a licensed service provider to test & balance air flow and humidity controls.
- Proper Thermostat Settings: Adjust your thermostat to a reasonable, stable temperature no more than 15-20 degrees cooler than your outside temperature. If your thermostat has a fan setting, make sure it is set to “AUTO” rather than “ON.” The “AUTO” setting ensures the fan only runs during a cooling cycle, allowing moisture to drip off the cooling coil and drain away. The “ON” setting can blow moisture back into your home.
Maintain Building
- Seal Gaps and Cracks: Seal any gaps, cracks, or seams in the building’s walls and around windows and doors to prevent moisture from entering the structure from outside.
- Inspect Roof and Gutters: Regularly inspect and clean the roof and gutters to prevent water from seeping into the building and causing moisture problems. Unsealed penetrations for vents, pipes, or wiring can allow moisture and water to enter the building envelope. This moisture can be drawn into the building by negative pressure or leak directly in, causing water damage and condensation.
- Duct System Air-Leaks: Have a professional inspect your ductwork and seal any leaks with mastic sealant or professional-grade foil tape. Sealing your ducts will prevent unconditioned, humid air from entering your ventilation system.
- Inspect Refrigerant pipes: Be sure that all refrigerant pipes are properly insulated.
Contact CCD Service + TODAY to schedule your inspection. A trained technician can check for any hidden issues and perform necessary maintenance to keep your facility safe and operational! Call 251-234-0485 or visit ccdserviceplus.com to schedule a maintenance appointment!