Ask a Septic Expert: When Should I Have My Grease Trap Pumped?

November 1, 2017 Published by Leave your thoughts

Restaurant kitchens are inherently filled with greasy, messy food. From grilled chicken to French fries, many foods inevitably produce a bit of a mess as the fats cook away or the oil overflows during the deep frying process. Ultimately, all of these liquids have to go somewhere, or else they would just clog the pipes. This can lead to flooding, which will require expensive repairs and even pose a major threat to your employees and guests. That is where the grease trap comes in. This invaluable tool traps any fats, oils and grease from cooking to prevent them from entering the sewer system and clogging the drain lines.

The grease trap is a relatively simple, yet effective tool. All the waste collected from the restaurant drains is deposited into the first tank of the trap. There, the fats, oils and greases separate from the water and float to the top. The liquid waste than transfers to the second tank through the crossover pipe. This second tank provides another opportunity to separate out any refuse. Finally, the cleared out liquid waste moves into the sewer system through the outgoing pipe.

How often should a grease trap be pumped?

Over time, the grease and solid foods caught in the trap container will begin to accumulate. That’s why it is so important that the sludge is pumped regularly. Ignoring this important task could lead to overflows and blockages. It’s crucial you understand the different factors dictating just how often you need to have a professional perform grease trap pumping in Cleveland, TX:

  • Amount and type of food: The amount and type of food going into the grease trap will greatly impact how frequently it will need to be pumped. The more food going in, the faster the grease will build up, which means the grease trap will need to be pumped more to keep up. Restaurants that regularly cook greasier food will likely need to schedule a pumping at least once a week.
  • Size of the trap: A large grease trap will generally take longer to fill and typically need to be pumped less frequently. The general rule of thumb is to pump the grease trap once it becomes more than a quarter full.
  • Cleaning habits: Not only is scraping the dishes before you send them to be cleaned a major help for the dishwasher, but it will also reduce the amount of food and grease going down the drain. Being conscious of what is entering the grease trap will help cut down on how often it needs to be pumped.

Generally, most professionals will recommend pumping the trap once it is more than 25 percent full. That tends to be about every one to two weeks for most busy restaurants. If you’re not sure how often to pump your grease trap, contact a professional for help with developing a schedule.

Cleaning the grease trap doesn’t have to be a chore with the help of the professionals at All Pro Septic. Call us today for a hassle-free quote for grease trap pumping in Cleveland, TX!

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