A properly maintained grease trap prevents foul odors from escaping the kitchen and makes for a safer, more efficient operation. It also protects plumbing and sewer systems from blockages and overflows, which can lead to expensive emergency plumbing bills or fines from authorities. Learn about the process of grease trap cleaning so you can keep up with your maintenance schedule and save money in the long run.

The first step in plumbing services involves removing all the waste from the trap. It’s a messy job, so be sure to wear protective gloves and a face mask or respirator if the odor is overpowering. You’ll also need a bucket and a heavy-duty scooper to remove the waste. Once you’ve removed the waste, rinse the trap with hot water. You can use a shop vac to suck up the dirty water (to avoid sending it into the public sewer system), or just dump it in a garbage bin for disposal later.

Grease Trap Cleaning Made Easy

Once the trap is empty, you’ll need to determine how much grease and solid waste is left behind. A good way to do this is by using a wooden dowel that’s been inserted into the grease trap. The mark made by the grease and oils will help you figure out how deep the waste is. You can then adjust your cleaning schedule based on the accumulation rate.

Be very careful when adding any chemicals or solvents to your grease trap. Pouring bleach, emulsifiers, or any other chemical to your grease trap could destroy the natural bacteria that dine on FOG and separate it from wastewater. It could also liquefy the grease, which causes it to flow downstream and cause costly pipe blockages or even a city-wide sewer spill.

Phillips Plumbing, Wells, & Septic
471 Fred King Rd, Hartwell, GA 30643
(706) 376-3422