Grease Trap Perth is important for keeping food waste from entering sewage lines. However, it is only effective when it is properly maintained.
All restaurants and other establishments that produce a lot of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) should have a grease interceptor. When installing a grease trap, following local regulations and manufacturer instructions is important.
Grease traps are designed to intercept wastewater from kitchen sinks and dishwashers before it enters the sewer system. These metal and plastic devices slow down the water’s movement, separating it into solids on the bottom layer, wastewater in the middle, and FOG (animal fats, vegetable oils, and grease) on the top. The heavier and denser FOG rises to the top as it cools, while the lighter solids and water continue into the sewer or septic system.
As the FOG floats to the top, it is collected manually or by a mechanical device known as a skimming mechanism. As local regulations outline, the FOG is then removed from the wastewater and transferred to a separate container for proper disposal. The remaining wastewater exits through the outlet pipe and into the sewer system.
Without proper FOG management, the mixture of solids and liquids can block sewer lines and lead to sanitary sewer overflows, which require expensive and time-consuming cleanup. A grease trap helps to prevent these costly issues by removing the FOG before it enters the sewer system.
A grease trap’s effectiveness depends on how often it is drained and cleaned. During busy periods, the trap may need to be drained and pumped out more frequently to ensure it functions properly. If a restaurant or food service establishment fails to drain and clean its grease trap as required, it could lead to an overflow and potentially contaminate the surrounding environment.
The best way to avoid these costly issues is to educate staff about what can and cannot go down the sinks, provide grease disposal containers for unsafe items, and conduct regular inspections and cleaning services. It is also important to use the right type of grease trap for your business’s specific needs.
A qualified professional can guide your facility on the right grease trap, ensure that the system is being drained and emptied regularly, help maintain proper FOG levels, and provide timely warnings when the system is nearing capacity or needs to be cleaned. Investing in a professional grease management solution will protect your kitchen, your staff, and the environment.
Why They’re Important
Keeping grease traps properly cleaned and maintained prevents the buildup of fats, oils and grease (FOG) that can lead to costly repairs to drainpipes, inconvenience for customers and staff, environmental contamination and even fines resulting from non-compliance with city regulations. It’s essential that restaurants and food service establishments prioritize responsible grease management. This means installing and maintaining suitable traps for their size, investing in the right cleaning and maintenance services and adhering to FOG waste disposal guidelines.
Grease traps are receptacles into which wastewater flows before entering drainage pipes. These receptacles intercept and separate most of the FOG from the wastewater, leaving cleaner water to enter the sanitary sewer system. When FOG cools and solidifies in the drainpipes, it creates blockages that can cause sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), which require significant time, equipment and manpower to clear. Because of this, most cities mandate the use of grease traps in places that prepare food to prevent FOG from entering the sanitary sewer system and causing SSOs.
The basic design of a grease trap slows down the flow of wastewater, allowing the heavier FOG to fall to the bottom while the lighter water rises through a series of baffles to the top. This separation happens due to the difference in density between water and grease. The trapped grease and other fatty substances are then disposed of through a pipe that connects to the sanitary sewer system.
Traditional passive grease traps and interceptors must be emptied and cleaned regularly to ensure proper functionality. Once they’re 25% full, the device will cease to be effective.
It’s important to have a reliable and trustworthy service provider that can keep your grease traps and interceptors fully functional. This includes examining the traps for damage, ensuring the gasket that seals the lid is in good condition and confirming the trap is being pumped at the recommended frequency. During busy periods, your trap may need to be pumped more frequently as it’s exposed to more food waste and grease. This is why it’s a good idea to have your grease trap and interceptor serviced on a regular basis by a professional like DAR PRO Solutions.
How They’re Installed
A properly installed and maintained grease trap is essential for a commercial kitchen to meet health and hygiene regulations. It’s a vital safeguard against clogged drains, plumbing backups, and even sewage spills that can require costly cleanup and repair. It’s also a way to avoid fines from local authorities for non-compliance with city health and sanitation codes.
The installation process of a grease trap should always be performed by a licensed plumber to ensure compliance with local laws and manufacturer instructions. There are some online tutorials and videos that provide step-by-step instructions for DIY installation, but it’s best to have a professional handle the task. They will have the tools, equipment and experience to ensure the grease trap is installed correctly and that it is in compliance with all relevant local codes.
Grease traps come in a variety of sizes, from small units for individual sinks to large-scale systems designed for entire restaurants. Your establishment’s production volume and space requirements will help determine which type of grease trap is best for you. The most popular option is a traditional passive system, which uses baffle walls to separate FOG from wastewater. Smaller versions of these are available for installation under sinks, while larger units can be mounted outdoors or in a designated indoor area.
The wastewater that leaves your establishment’s sinks enters the grease trap through the inlet pipe and exits through the outlet pipe into the sewer system. A vent pipe is often connected to the outlet side of the trap to prevent the buildup of gases inside the trap.
The time between cleaning and pumping out a grease trap will vary depending on the amount of wastewater produced by your establishment, but it should be done every 2-4 weeks to keep the trap working effectively. The longer you wait between cleanings, the more likely your grease will harden and create blockages that can require extensive repairs or even a total replacement of the trap. This will cost your establishment time and money that could have been avoided with regular maintenance. A professionally cleaned and pumped grease trap will protect your investment and help you maintain compliance with all applicable laws.
How to Maintain Them
A grease trap is an important part of any restaurant’s plumbing, but it requires regular cleaning and maintenance to keep it working properly. A well-maintained trap will reduce the amount of fats, oils and grease that are discharged into the sewer system, preventing clogs and other problems.
A good way to avoid costly repairs and emergency cleanups is by regularly inspecting your grease trap and following a scheduled cleaning schedule. You should also educate your staff on how to reduce the amount of food waste that enters your grease trap. For instance, encourage them to scrape plates and pans before washing, and provide a designated trash bin for discarded food waste.
Grease traps must be cleaned and emptied at least once every four to six weeks. During a cleaning, the waste is removed from the trap and hauled off to a licensed waste disposal company for proper disposal. To ensure that the waste is disposed of correctly, restaurants must keep records and comply with all local regulations.
The most efficient and safest method for cleaning a grease trap is line jetting, which involves using powerful jets of water at high pressure. This is a fast and effective way to clean the entire inside of a grease trap, including the baffles and walls. Unlike other methods, such as scrubbing the interior of the trap with a brush or rag, line jetting removes all debris and waste from the grease trap.
During a grease trap cleaning, you should wear protective clothing and rubber gloves to prevent injuries from the decomposing grease and other materials. You should also use a pry bar or wrench to open the lid of the trap, taking care not to damage the gaskets. Before starting, make sure that the trap is empty and that no dishwashers or sinks are running.
Once the trap is empty, line a trash can with a heavy-duty garbage bag and carefully scoop the waste into it. Next, remove the lid and clean the trap’s sides, baffles, and screens with a steel pot scrubber and dish soap. When you’re finished, flush the trap’s parts with room-temperature water to remove all the soap and leftover waste.
