Grease traps play an essential role in managing and preventing the buildup of grease, oil, and fat in commercial kitchens and other food service establishments. These traps capture fats and oils before they can enter the wastewater system and cause blockages, backups, and other problems.
Over time, however, these traps can become clogged with grease and other debris, which can cause them to malfunction and lead to health and safety issues. Therefore, regular grease trap cleaning is important to maintain efficiency, effectiveness and prevent costly repairs and environmental damage.
While professional grease trap services are always the best option, you must understand when to clean your restaurant grease trap. Here are five telltale signs that your grease trap needs cleaning.
How Exactly Do Grease Traps Work?
As grease and oils have a higher density than water, they always float above it and become stuck in grease traps. Commercial grease traps prevent drain clogs caused by oils and greases, which is why they’re crucial for restaurant teams.
However, grease traps will also slow the water flow in your plumbing system because they separate solids from wastewater.
Signs That It’s Time To Schedule A Grease Trap Cleaning
1. Slow or Clogged Drainage
The grease collected in the grease trap solidifies into a dense mass as it accumulates. When the buildup reaches a certain point, it restricts wastewater flow in the drainage system, which will cause your sink to drain more slowly. It indicates that your grease trap needs to be cleaned immediately, as blockages and flooding could result in an embarrassing situation at the restaurant.
A severe situation may already have blocked the drains. Regardless of other plumbing problems, unmanaged grease traps will likely cause blockages. A blocked drain can cause your restaurant to close for an extended period of time. To prevent sluggish drainage, it’s crucial to have your grease traps professionally cleaned at the first sign of trouble.
2. Unexplained Smells In the Kitchen
It’s very likely that the odors emanating from your grease trap are caused by odors you can’t explain in your restaurant’s kitchen.
The grease trap needs to be cleaned out regularly, as the long-term buildup of food waste can cause these odors to persist. For this reason, a professional cleaning grease trap is often necessary to eliminate odor effectively.
3. Grease Mass is More than 25% of the Waste Water
Food waste overflowing grease traps causes malfunctions. Preventing them begins with scheduling cleaning in advance. To prevent clogging of the drains or odors, remove the build-up before it causes problems.
When grease traps contain more than 25% of wastewater volume in grease deposits, they must be cleaned. Maintaining the unit is easy once cleaned and takes only a few minutes. You can prevent problems affecting your restaurant’s operation if you clean the trap early.
4. Grease In Various Areas
If you notice grease accumulates in different parts of your restaurant and hints at a dirty grease trap, you should take action immediately. Due to the system being clogged with dirt, oil escapes through the pipes and sinks, explaining why grease is found in the most random places.
5. Unusual Greasy Spots
An oil and fat separator can diverge kitchen waste from oil in a restaurant’s grease trap. However, it can only do so if sufficient space is available to hold the grease caught. Having a full trap and being unable to hold additional waste is the most serious issue. Drain grease will seek ways to escape the trap instead of settling into it.
Other plumbing components accumulate greases, such as drains, sinks, and water pipes. These places may indicate a grease trap that needs cleaning if you find grease deposits. Set up a cleaning schedule right away.
6. It’s Been A Long Time Since the Last Cleanup
Every restaurant should regularly clean its grease traps, and you should do so at least once a quarter. However, depending on the type of restaurant you have, this type of cleaning might need to be done more frequently.
Your kitchen employees can do this type of cleanout job from time to time, but it’s even more important that you hire a professional plumber to ensure you don’t build up any lingering plumbing problems that could shut down your restaurant.
How Can Crews Environmental Help?
Crews Environmental is your reliable partner for maintaining your grease trap. With years of experience in the industry, they have the expertise and knowledge to help you keep your grease trap functioning smoothly. Our experts will work with you to develop a customized maintenance plan that fits your specific needs and budget. We offer various services, including cleaning, pumping, and repair, to ensure your grease trap remains in top condition.
By partnering with Crews Environmental, you can rest assured that your grease trap cleaner lets you focus on your core business operations. Contact us today to schedule a service and experience the peace of mind that comes with working with a trusted professional.
