How to Know When a Restaurant Grease Trap Should Be Replaced

HOW TO KNOW WHEN A RESTAURANT GREASE TRAP SHOULD BE REPLACED

Restaurant grease traps need maintenance, and will at some point have to be replaced. Find out when to replace your restaurant grease trap here.

Want to avoid a nasty sewer backup in your restaurant?

Of course, you do. No one wants unhygienic sewage problems in a place they eat food. That’s why most restaurants install grease traps. The fatty foods will pass through the traps, and the viscous grease will not make it into the sewage.

However, grease traps need to be maintained and replaced. How do you know if it’s time to get a new restaurant grease trap?

Read on to find out!

Why You Need a Restaurant Grease Trap

Grease traps are so important for restaurants that they’re part of the building code.

But what are they, and why do you need them?

Grease traps are tanks that are part of the restaurant’s drainage and sewage system. When you or one of your employees disposes of something greasy, it travels down the sink and into the grease trap, where the greasy parts are then strained out.

This is important because even if the grease is in a liquid state when you pour it down, it can solidify in the drain. Over time, this blocks the pipes, causing plumbing problems for you.

In some places, grease traps must be periodically inspected by law.

Find Out Who Installed the Grease Traps

If the person who installed the restaurant grease trap was not a professional, you’re going to want to look into replacing it.

Grease traps must be customized to the specific plumbing system. Unprofessional techniques can lead to improper installation and eventual deterioration.

This means that your greases and oils could be getting into your sewage system. Even if there are no other signs of grease trap malfunction, you should check your traps if they were not installed by a professional.

Foul Odors

If your grease trap is starting to smell foul and a regular cleaning won’t fix it, it’s time to replace it.

Foods caught in the grease trap, once they’ve been allowed to sit, can start to smell. Failing to regularly clean your grease trap can intensify this stench, but it also could be a sign the trap is in need of repair.

Clogged Pipes

Have your sinks been draining too slowly?

This could be a sign that your grease trap is too full and that some of the grease has built up in the pipes and is clogging them. If this is the case, your grease trap may need to be cleaned, repaired, or replaced.

Your Restaurant Uses an Excessive of Fat and Oil

If your restaurant specializes in especially fatty or oily foods, you will need to stay on top of your grease trap maintenance.

You should be cleaning the trap once every 90 days. While cleaning, check for deterioration and other damage that needs repairs.

In Need of Grease Trap Maintenance?

If you check your restaurant grease trap regularly and spot a damaged area, what should you do?

Since grease traps are a necessary part of restaurant building codes, you’ll need to keep them up to be in compliance. Don’t wait if you know your trap is damaged!

Here at Smart Alternative Fuels, we do grease trap repairs. Give us a call today!