The grease trap clean out process is an essential part of keeping things like commercial kitchens running smoothly. Regular grease trap cleaning helps with preventing blockages from trapped grease, excess waste, solid grease, and other unpleasant odours.
Hiring a grease trap cleaning service helps when grease trap blockages occur. They can also help a commercial kitchen with routine maintenance that might crease a blocked grease trap being filled with liquid waste. .
Grease trap cleaning services are commonly offered by waste management companies like Evoro. They help to ensure that grease traps run smoothly and in line with local water authority regulations. While grease trap cleaning depends on a variety of moving parts, it is useful to hire a professional company.
What is a Grease Trap
A grease trap is critical in keeping our kitchen plumbing systems in top condition. By effectively separating water from oil and food waste, it prevents FOG (fat, oil, and grease) from causing damage and clogging up drains and pipes.
It’s not just professional kitchens that benefit from grease traps; households and apartment blocks can also avoid costly plumbing issues by having them installed.
How Do Grease Traps Work?
Grease traps, also known as grease interceptors, are essential components in wastewater management systems. They come in various sizes and designs, but all function on the same fundamental principles.
Whether installed as small attachments in local businesses or as integral components in large waste management centres, grease traps are crucial in removing fats, oils, grease (FOG), and food solids from wastewater.
When wastewater containing FOG and food scraps enter the grease trap, the fats, oils, and grease rise to the surface, while the food solids sink to the bottom. This separation process allows relatively clean water to flow into the sewer system while retaining the FOG and food solids within the trap.
Over time, the accumulated FOG and food solids can build up within the trap, impairing its functionality and potentially causing blockages. Regular maintenance and cleaning of grease traps are necessary to ensure efficient operation and prevent issues with the sewer system.
Why a Grease Trap Cleanout is Needed
A grease trap requires regular cleaning for multiple reasons.
- Drainage Issues: The accumulation of FOG and other food waste impacts the drainage system. The more substances that new liquids entering the system have to pass through, the slower the process becomes. Over time, this can lead to blockages.
- Food Solids Waste: Leftover food decomposes. Food waste left in a grease trap will continue to break down. What’s more, the moist environment will accelerate this process. Rotten food can attract insects and pose a potential health hazard.
- Prevent Blockages: Failure to clean a grease trap can lead to significant clogs, causing severe damage and rendering it ineffective.
- Sewer Overflows: Uncleaned grease traps can overflow and contaminate the surrounding area, leading to environmental damage.
- Grease Trap Maintenance: Regularly cleaning out a grease trap enhances understanding of its functionality and importance. It fosters better waste management practices and raises awareness waste production.
- Local Regulations: Some countries mandate regular cleaning of grease traps for restaurants. Failure to comply can result in fines or closure. Urban Utilities is an excellent source of information on these regulations and guidelines. For instance, Sydney Water requires retail food businesses to install grease traps.
The various reasons for cleaning out a grease trap centre around best business practices and general waste management guidelines.
For example, a restaurant should consider implementing a weekend cleaning schedule for its grease trap to promote better waste management practices and improve its functionality.
11-Step Grease Trap Cleanout
Grease trap cleaning is a relatively simple process. Follow these 11 easy steps to do it effectively.
- Wear appropriate Health and Safety Gear
- Uncover the Grease Trap
- Inspect the contents of the grease trap container.
- Determine the quantity of trapped FOG (Fats, Oils, and Grease).
- Eliminate any excess water.
- Disassemble the components
- Remove solidified FOG
- Use a small scraper to clear any leftover FOG
- Clean all components using soap and water
- Reassemble all components.
- Prepare a Cleanout Report
These steps will help you clean out a grease trap and audit the waste produced.
1. Wear appropriate Health and Safety Gear
Wear appropriate Health and Safety Gear before starting. Avoiding direct contact between human skin and waste is crucial.
2. Uncover the Grease Trap
Next, uncover the grease trap. Removing the lid will allow access to where fats, grease, and oils solidify.
3. Inspect the contents of the grease trap container.
It should contain the waste to be removed and other components, such as the grease arrestor.
4. Determine the quantity of trapped FOG (Fats, Oils, and Grease).
Measuring the amount of trapped FOG has various benefits, including understanding the amount of waste produced, and is mandatory for some commercial businesses.
5. Eliminate any excess water.
Before removing other materials, any remaining water must be pumped out. It should not be poured into a sewer system as it has not undergone proper filtration.
6. Disassemble the components
Taking apart the various components of the grease trap, including the grease interceptor, grease arrestor, PVC pipes, and other lightweight devices provided with the unit help with the removal of light waste particles and other food particles.
7. Remove solidified FOG
Remove solidified FOG by scooping out chunks. The easiest way is to remove as many chunks as possible, as the combination of fats and food scraps can cause blockages if not completely removed.
8. Use a small scraper to clear any leftover FOG
Once the larger pieces have been removed, meticulously scrape the grease trap and the other removed components, such as the grease arrestor, to ensure no remnants are left behind.
9. Clean all components using soap and water
Thoroughly wash down all the components with soap and water.
10. Reassemble all components.
After cleaning out the trap, put all the elements back together. Ensure that the grease arrestor is correctly attached and that excess soap and water do not flow into the sewer system.
11. Prepare a Cleanout Report.
Note down the quantity of FOG that was extracted from the system.
Closing thoughts
Knowing how to clean a grease trap can save time and money for a business, and it can also equip workers with new skills.
Additionally, knowing the range of commercial waste your business building produces can help you become a better owner and manager.
This 11-step process is easy to follow and is applicable in any location.
That said, local waste management companies and plumbers can help. If you need help with grease trap cleaning, contact them.
