At Service Pumping & Drain Co., Inc., we provide professional grease trap cleaning in Burlington, MA. We serve restaurants and commercial kitchens, universities, food processing plants, and hospitals. Large kitchens and food preparation facilities are particularly susceptible to overfull and dirty grease traps that can cause severe problems for the organization. For over 50 years, we have been serving our local community with routine and 24-hour emergency grease trap cleaning services so you can keep your kitchens running smoothly.
How Is a Grease Trap Cleaned?
First, professional cleaners use shop vacuum equipment to remove fats, oils, and grease (FOGs) from the grease trap. Then the trap is thoroughly cleaned with a steel scrubber, soap, and water. This removes lingering buildup and eliminates odors from rancid FOGs. The sides, lid, and baffles of the trap must be completely clean to return the trap to proper operating condition.
If you want a more in-depth overview, expert cleaning services follow these key steps:
- Locate the grease trap. Depending on the size, age, and facility type, grease traps may be in different positions. There may also be multiple grease traps.
- Identify the trap size. Smaller commercial traps may be approximately 500 gallons, whereas large complexes will have traps as large as 2,500 gallons. Larger units will require professional cleaning equipment.
- Remove FOGs. Begin by removing the trap lid. Then use a shop vacuum to remove FOGs floating within the trap.
- Clean the surfaces. Scrape FOGs off of the sides, lid, and baffles to restore the trap to a clean condition.
- Assess the trap. Ensure all the FOGs are removed, and then close the lid.
- Dispose of the FOGs. Fats, oils, and greases must be disposed of properly so they don’t overwhelm
drainage systems.
Why Is It Important to Keep a Grease Trap Clean?
It is very important to regularly clean and maintain your grease trap. Otherwise, they pose a risk to the daily operations of the facility and could cause compliance issues with industry and hygiene regulations.
If the grease trap doesn’t undergo sufficient and regular cleanings, FOGs and solid food waste will build up in the tank. This can cause the trap to overflow, releasing waste back into the kitchen’s sink and dishwasher drains, which contaminates the kitchen and presents a risk to the sewage system.
How Often Does a Grease Trap Need to Be Cleaned?
As a rule of thumb, grease traps should be cleaned once every one to three months, with increased frequency if your kitchen is busy. Rather than relying on a set schedule, kitchens can also follow the “1/4 Rule.” This rule states that commercial and municipal kitchens should have their grease traps cleaned whenever the tank reaches a quarter of its total capacity. This rule is conservative to ensure the kitchen and sewers are never put at risk of a FOG overflow.
What Should You Do If Your Grease Trap Is Overflowing?
Grease trap overflows are extremely hazardous. They can contaminate both incoming and outgoing lines in the kitchen’s plumbing and sewage systems. The kitchen will need complete sanitation and cleaning services to mitigate the risk of toxic contaminants. If you believe your grease trap is overflowing, confirm by dipping a pole into the trap. If the pole can reach the surface at the bottom of the tank, the tank is too full and requires immediate pumping and cleaning.
Grease Trap Cleaning Services From Service Pumping & Drain Co., Inc.
At Service Pumping & Drain Co., Inc., we provide routine and emergency grease trap cleaning services you can rely on. Contact us today to schedule cleanings or for emergency pumping.