In most cities, restaurants are required to use grease traps. These receptacles "trap" fats, oils, and grease (also known as FOG) as wastewater leaves the kitchen so that the gunk can't solidify in the sewer system—resulting in clogs and sewage backups. Over time, grease trap cleaning is necessary to prevent overflows. If you manage a restaurant, use this guide to figure out when to clean your trap and what the risks of ignoring it are. 

The Risks of an Improperly Maintained Grease Trap

Grease is less dense than water and so won’t mix with it. Therefore, when wastewater enters the grease trap, the FOG floats to the top of the tank while the remaining water flows out the bottom. As the tank fills up, it could cause your drains to empty more slowly or could emit foul odors inside the kitchen. If it gets too full, it can also overflow, which could result in the full shutdown of your business while cleanup takes place. You could also be fined by your local health inspector.

Unfortunately, the incoming and outgoing lines inside the grease trap are not immune to grease buildup. If grease clogs the incoming side of the receptacle, sinks and drains could experience backups. However, if a clog occurs on the outgoing line, the compartments inside the trap could overflow. 

How to Prevent Grease Trap Problems

When using a grease trap, it's important to be proactive with all maintenance duties. Since every restaurant uses its kitchen differently, have a grease trap cleaning company inspect your system to determine the best emptying schedule to ensure it doesn’t fill beyond one-quarter capacity. During the busier points of the year, it might be necessary to call them for emergency service. 

If you notice water and grease overflowing out of the receptacle cover, call a grease trap cleaning company immediately. There’s a strong chance they'll be able to pump the tank and clean the lines to resolve the problem before it can contaminate the restaurant or surrounding properties or enter the sewer line.  

Make sure the grease trap at your restaurant is properly managed by hiring Baldwin Septic Tanks LLC. This family business has 45 years of experience providing septic tank installation, maintenance, and cleaning services to Baldwin County, AL. They perform residential, commercial, and industrial grease trap cleaning and provide health department certifications. Call them today at (251) 946-3250 for a free estimate and visit their website to learn more about their septic system services.