Commercial kitchens go through a substantial amount of grease on a day-to-day basis. Grease and fats harden in the building’s pipes over time and can lead to sewer blockages. This could derail business operations. Grease traps are highly recommended for smooth and worry-free operations in your commercial kitchen. For optimal functionality, grease traps require regular maintenance such as cleaning and repairs.
Andrew’s Plumbing has nearly 30 years of experience in cleaning, repairing, and replacing grease traps. Our decades of experience and expertise help you understand the ins and outs of commercial grease trap cleaning and repair.
What Is a Grease Trap?
Grease traps are internal receptacles that catch fats, oils, grease, and solids, also known as “FOGS” after wastewater flows through the drain. Grease traps remove the presence of FOGS from the property’s sewer system to reduce sewer issues such as backups and overflows. Oils and grease float to the top so displaced water can exit at the bottom of the tank, preventing the tank from overfilling. Sewer backups and overflow throw a wrench into any commercial business because they are expensive and time-consuming to address.
Importance of Regular Grease Trap Cleaning for Businesses
Regular grease trap cleaning is important for businesses for these reasons:
- Regular grease trap cleaning improves kitchen cleanliness and hygiene
- Reduces the chances of various plumbing issues and backups
- Lifespans of kitchen equipment increases
- Aids in complying with local regulations and codes
Signs Your Grease Trap Needs Cleaning
Here are some common signs your kitchen’s grease trap needs to be cleaned:
- Slow Drains. If your kitchen’s drains are draining slower than usual, it’s usually a clear sign that your grease trap needs to be cleaned.
- Unpleasant Odors. If you start to notice unpleasant odors in your commercial kitchen, it’s potentially coming from a disgusting and unclean grease trap.
- Water Backing Up. If water is starting to back up in your commercial’s kitchen sinks or drains, an over-accumulation of FOGS could be the cause. Failure to clean your kitchen’s grease trap will lead to buildups of FOGS.
- Grease Buildup. If you notice a large amount of grease buildup on the surface of your grease trap, it’s time for a thorough cleaning.
Insect Infestations. An unclean grease trap is likely to attract insects such as ants, flies, and cockroaches. Any sign of an insect infestation around your grease trap means cleaning is needed.
Different Kinds of Grease Traps
How Often Should a Grease Trap Be Cleaned?
The appropriate cleaning schedule for grease traps depends on these factors:
- Size of the grease trap. Bigger grease traps don’t require frequent cleanings.
- Food served. If your commercial kitchen deals with a lot of high-fat foods, it’s recommended that cleanings should be more frequent.
- Cooking volume. Commercial kitchens that see a higher volume of cooking require grease trap cleaning on a more frequent basis.
Preventative Maintenance for Commercial Grease Traps
Here are some preventive maintenance tasks your business to help prevent grease trap smells and clogs:
- Routine cleaning. Grease trap cleanings should happen at a minimum, quarterly.
- Line jetting. Line jetting involves a 360-degree nozzle and high water pressure to clean the pipes. This helps remove all of the layered grease.
- Floor drain covers. Grate covers for your floor drains that help prevent various miscellaneous materials and items from falling in and causing clogs.
Consequences of Neglecting Grease Trap Cleaning
Neglecting required grease trap cleaning can be disastrous for your business. Here are the potential consequences of neglecting grease trap cleaning:
- Health and safety hazards within the kitchen such as foodborne illnesses
- Clogging in your plumbing system
- Backups and slow drainage
- Costly repairs
- Damaged infrastructure
- Sewer overflow
- Fines from authorities
- Damage to the environment
DIY Grease Trap Cleaning vs. Professional Cleaning Services
DIY Grease Trap Cleaning
Pros
- Can save money
- Cleaning can be done on the schedule of the business
Cons
- Lack of access to special equipment and knowledge
- Messy and time-consuming
- Not as thorough as professional cleaning services
Professional Grease Trap Cleaning
Pros
- Thorough cleaning
- Proper waste disposal
- Reduced risk of health code violations
- Saves time and hassle
Cons
- Can be more expensive than going DIY
- Could require meticulous scheduling around the business
Choose Professional Grease Trap Cleaning & Repair Services for Your Business
If your commercial kitchen has a grease trap, routine cleaning is direly needed to avoid consequences and to keep your business running smoothly. Choose the professional grease trap cleaning and repair services from Andrew’s Plumbing for your business today.
General FAQs on Grease Trap Repair & Cleaning
Grease traps last around five to seven years, on average.
Grease traps should be cleaned quarterly. Bigger grease traps can go a little longer between cleanings.
Your grease trap should be inspected on the same schedule as their cleanings, so every one to three months.
