Grease traps are underground tanks that capture food solids before the particles can clog a restaurant’s septic or sewer system. Since grease and the gases it releases are flammable, regular grease trap cleaning is crucial for maintaining the safety of your establishment. Here are a few signs that you’re overdue for an appointment.

Does Your Grease Trap Need to Be Cleaned?

1. Pungent Smells

From baked bread to roasted meats, different mouthwatering smells should waft through your restaurant. If the pleasant aroma in the kitchen is replaced by a bad stench, a dirty grease trap might be the source. When left to linger, the food particles in the tank rot and release smelly sulfuric gases.

2. Drain Backups

When the grease trap is full, the fats and oils will solidify and form a thick layer at the top of the drain lines. This can make it difficult for wastewater to flow down the various channels.

You’ll notice slow drainage or standing water in your sinks. These problems can be health risks and should be addressed as soon as possible.

3. Greasy Residue in Strange Places

When the grease trap needs to be cleaned, the incoming fats, oils, and grease will have nowhere to go. The residue will filter to the sewer and septic system, water lines, and sinks instead. Look for greasy films in sink basins and along pipe connections.

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends grease trap cleaning on a quarterly schedule to maintain restaurant safety. Contact the professionals at Sanitrol Septic Services in North Branford, CT, to keep your establishment clean and functioning. Since 1984, business owners in the New Haven County area have relied on the technicians to perform reliable septic services and thorough grease trap cleaning. For a free same-day estimate, call (203) 315-3202. Learn more about their services online.