A restaurant kitchen staff has to work hard to produce food to feed hundreds or thousands of hungry customers a day. The kitchen’s commercial plumbing is similarly put to the test—helping to wash produce and dishes and often serving as a disposal place for leftover pasta water or sauces. Given that, it is understandable that these drains often clog with time. The guide below explains why blockages happen and how to prevent them.

Why Commercial Kitchen Drains Get Clogged

Kitchens work with fats, oils, and greases that are liquid when hot. However, when poured down the drain, they quickly cool and congeal to the sides of pipes. This prevents water from passing through the pipes as easily, causing slow draining.

If food scraps get sent down the drain next—while you are washing dishes, for example—they can then get stuck in the drain. You may notice this buildup when a bad odor develops. 

If the clog is far enough down the sewer line, it may cause backups in other places besides the kitchen sink. 

How to Prevent Clogs 

Commercial plumbing for kitchens includes grease traps to separate grease, fats, and oils while allowing the water to continue down the pipe. The trap can quickly fill up, which will send the fats down the drain with the liquids. Get the grease trap cleaned regularly based on use to prevent this issue from occurring. It will usually be necessary every month to three months.

Ensure the kitchen staff scrape plates directly into the garbage and place all food scraps in the trash. Install drain strainers in the sinks to catch food bits, so they don’t go down the pipes. Reduce grease trap stress by having the dishwashing crew use absorbent wipes to remove grease and oil from plates, placing the wipes in the trash.

Many restaurants also carefully pour boiling water down the drains every night to ensure their commercial plumbing is free of blockages. The hot water can break down some sludge and improve the flow.

If you’re experiencing clogs, contact a commercial plumbing professional. They can clean the grease traps and the pipes, removing buildup and reducing the chances of future backups.

If you need drain cleaning for commercial plumbing, contact Holmes Sewer & Drain in Lincoln, NE, to learn about their services. The owner has more than 30 years of experience in the industry,  Call the drain professionals at (402) 432-6312 or visit the website for information on their services.