FAQ About Grease Trap Maintenance
What is a grease trap?
A grease trap is a piece of plumbing that intercepts and prevents the majority of greases and solids from entering the public water system. Wastewater has a small amount of oil already, but commercial kitchens produce more than most wastewater treatment systems can handle. A grease trap helps to separate the fats, oils, and greases (also known as FOG) from wastewater using a device called a baffle.
What size of grease trap do I need for my business?
Bigger is always better, right? Not when it comes to grease traps.
You need the right size grease trap for your business. Installing an oversized grease trap can result in deteriorated plumbing, interceptor, and drainage systems. Before installing anything, we recommend you contact your local regulatory agency and verify the necessary size of the grease trap for your location.
How do I dispose of cooking oil?
It’s recommended that you keep all used cooking oil in a specific container for collection. Used cooking oil can be resold and recycled for other products! Throwing out cooking oil means you’re literally pouring money down the drain.
Worse, pouring out your old cooking oil could end up costing you money when it coats your drain line and clogs it. If you need help locating a company to dispose of your cooking oil, we can help! Contact us.
What’s the point of having a grease trap?
The purpose of a grease trap is to keep fats, oils, and greases (FOG) from entering the city sanitary sewer system. When these FOG’s get into the sewer system, they cling to the sides of the pipe walls and harden over time in layers, ultimately resulting in a nasty clog.
Does a grease trap need preventative maintenance?
Yes! Grease trap maintenance is vital to maintain the integrity of your plumbing. To learn more about grease trap ordinances, pumping requirements, and vital information, check with your city of active authority. Violating these ordinances can result in fines from your local law enforcement. Having regular maintenance performed prevents problems such as bad odors, backup, line blockages, and overflow from being disposed into sewer lines, which you can be fined for. You might also be assessed fines by your local regulators if you don’t schedule regular grease trap cleanings.
What’s the best way to prevent an overflow in my kitchen?
Here are a few best practices you can do in your kitchen to prevent an overflow from happening:
- Reduce what goes down the drain or sink.
- Clean off all food from dishes before washing.
- Collect used cooking oil (yellow grease) and fats in a separate container for collection and disposal. Do NOT pour any oil or grease down the drain or sink.
- Have your grease trap pumped regularly.
- Check the baffle in your trap every so often to make sure it is in good condition and is still attached.
- Use biodegradable detergents to reduce the use of chlorine-based cleaning products.
Where can I buy a grease trap?
Our team performs grease trap installations. If you need a new grease trap, give Silver City Processing a call, and we can help you out! Our number is (702) 642-9318.
Why can’t the garbage disposal get rid of all my waste?
Garbage disposals chop up waste, turning it into a ‘coleslaw’ consistency, which actually increases the chance of creating clogs. Never use a garbage disposal in place of a grease trap. If you cannot completely eliminate using a garbage disposal in your kitchen, we recommend you try to use it as little as possible.
Why should I keep all my manifests in one place?
When an enforcement officer comes to inspect your location, they will ask for your manifests. If you don’t have them readily available, the officer will think that you haven’t had your grease trap pumped and will start investigating your equipment further as you search for your paperwork.
To prevent lost or missing manifests, Silver City Processing leaves the “generator copy” at your location once services are complete. This copy should be filed on site so any inspector can easily review it. This second copy can be filed at the home office. For added convenience, we also maintain all records electronically.
How can Silver City Processing fix my deteriorating grease trap?
Our experts at Silver City Processing can perform a TrapRenew on your grease trap. We can only do this before the rebar pulls away from the eroded concrete wall. We will plug any cracks or holes with hydraulic cement and recoat it with a pH-resistant mixture, prolonging the life of your trap.
Some of our customers have had a TrapRenew last for 10 years. A TrapRenew is more economical than a replacement, and can often be done overnight and doesn’t affect your operations. A grease trap replacement, however, can take a week or more.
By keeping an eye on your grease trap and having regular maintenance done, you can stop your grease trap from deteriorating.
Can I repair my grease trap on my own?
No. It’s tempting to try and fix issues on your own, but grease trap repair can be incredibly dangerous without the right equipment or training. Silver City Processing technicians are trained to enter confined spaces by an OSHA approved instructor. Our team is equipped to monitor the gases inside the trap as well to deliver fresh air, tools a residential plumber doesn’t carry.
When looking for assistance with grease trap repairs and maintenance, make sure you’re using a vendor with the proper training and equipment. There have been fatalities from technicians entering traps without the correct training or equipment. Safety should always be the top priority.
