Grease Interceptors and Grease Traps in Conroe, TX: Know the Difference

July 1, 2019 Published by Leave your thoughts

Are you familiar with grease traps in Conroe, TX? If you’re not well versed on this subject, you may assume that grease traps and grease interceptors are one in the same. The fact is, these are two different solutions to grease management. Grease traps in Conroe, TX are installed and maintained differently than grease interceptors.

What are the differences? Following is a quick overview. If you’re considering which type of grease solution to use with your operations, use this guide to determine which might be best for your setting.

Definitions

Passive grease traps are used to trap fats, oils and grease (FOG) and rotting food waste. These traps are above ground and can be made of metal or plastic. They are essentially tanks that trap these materials to prevent them from entering a septic or sanitary system.

Grease interceptors are in-ground tanks. These large containers are buried in the ground near facilities to capture FOG and food solids and prevent these substances from entering the sewer or septic system.

Size and Structure

Grease traps may be quite small, depending on the needs of the operation. They may be located beneath a sink, where they capture the grease involved in a restaurant’s operations.

Grease interceptors are often between 1,000 and 2,000 gallons. They are made of cement, fiberglass or PVC. They are located below ground rather than inside the restaurant or other facility.

Function

Passive grease traps offer simple but effective operation. The FOG floats to the top of the tank, where it can be skimmed off. The food waste settles to the bottom, where it can be pumped out if the tank accumulates too much of it. Due to this design, these traps are often called gravity-based or passive grease traps.

Grease interceptors function in much the same way as grease traps; however, they operate on a much larger scale. They are also found below ground, so they cannot be maneuvered to empty or clean them.

Drawbacks

Grease traps do not stop all of the grease that moves toward the drain and the sewer system. Roughly 15 percent of the grease reaches the sewer. If the trap is not well maintained, up to 100 percent of the grease can enter the sewer. Additionally, if a restaurant is particularly busy, the fast flow of water can cause the FOG to bypass the trap and enter the system.

The installation of a grease interceptor requires the digging of a trench. Property owners must have a sizable section of land to devote to this tank. As with grease traps, this interceptor can also prove ineffective if the water flow is too fast to allow the materials to separate in the tank.

Learn More

Do you have additional questions about grease traps in Conroe, TX? Contact the experienced professionals at All Pro Septic. Since 1999, we’ve been the area’s go-to source for sewage pump repair, line cleaning and tank maintenance. Reach out to us today to learn more or schedule a service appointment with our team!

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