You probably know by now that oil and grease can be harmful to your kitchen health. The sticky residue from bacon and other fatty foods can become a clog, especially difficult to get rid of.
To get rid of grease, a plumber will recommend that you empty the grease into a can or jar and dispose of it later. This is not a good option where grease can be dangerously left behind due to high temperatures, speed, and the need for open flames.
But now the main question is, where do you find the grease trap in your house or your restaurant (commercial kitchen)? Many of us are not aware of where the grease trap is installed.
So here, we will discuss everything about the grease trap and how to find it.
Where Do I Find Grease Trap?
The grease trap can be found under your sink, under a sheet of metal on your kitchen floor, or outside your restaurant with maintenance, hole covers 1, 2, and 3. This device collects grease and food particles from the kitchen’s floor drains. It is located between the water main and the drain.
According to dallasgrease.com, once you have determined that your indoor grease trap is not working, you can start searching outside for your grease trap. You will find it in a group of two utility hole covers or one or more.
When Do You Need To Find Your Grease Trap?
These are eight indicators that you should find your grease trap for cleaning.
Slow Drainage
A poorly kept grease trap can cause clogged drains. Water flowing to the sewer will slow down as the grease trap collects Debris, oil, or grease. You should immediately check the grease trap when you notice that your sink is draining slowly. This is a sign your grease trap needs to be cleaned.
Unpleasant Smell
Have you ever wondered where the unpleasant smell is coming from in your home kitchen? Even if you inspect every corner of your kitchen but still have not uncovered the source of the unpleasant odor, then it’s time to look for the grease trap.
The grease trap releases an unpleasant odor when food particles and oil are trapped in it. This can cause problems for all family members, also your customer, if you are running a restaurant. Make sure your grease trap is cleaned before this happens.
Find Grease In Different Kitchen Areas
Your grease trap may need to be cleaned if grease is found in different places in your kitchen. Grease can escape from your pipes, sinks, and other possible outlets if it gets blocked. Fat will build up and cause a mess. Make sure to check your grease trap for any clogging.
When the grease trap holds 25% of the Debris
A grease trap should be maintained if the grease level and other waste particles exceed 25% depth of the wastewater. The EPA rule of 25% is the ideal time to clean and ensure it should not be more than 1/4 full.
This could lead to many issues in your kitchen. This could lead to clogging of kitchen sinks and cause health hazards. You should pay attention to the warning sign that your grease trap is at least a quarter full.
If water isn’t flowing to the sewer
You can see the workings of the grease trap by turning on the tap. As the name implies, the grease trap contains greases, fats, and Debris. The wastewater must be disposed of in the sewer.
If the water flows freely, that means that your grease trap has not become clogged with any trash. When the water flow is not constant, the trap is almost complete, and it is time to clean.
Grease traps contain excessive waste and solids
How often you clean your grease trap will depend on how much water you drain each day. It should only be used for water. If you are pouring oil or food debris into the drainage, the grease trap will need to be cleaned.
If you have a commercial kitchen, you should inform your current and future employees about proper dumping practices to prevent grease and food waste from going down the gutter. This is the most profitable way to ensure that your grease trap remains uncluttered for longer.
Maintenance hole overflow with sewage
Restaurants are needed to clean out their grease traps every 90 days. If you see sewage overflowing from a utility hole on your streets or parking lots, it could be a sign that there is a blockage in the drain or pipe.
Clogged grease traps can also be a problem and must be addressed. You may not be able to recall the last time you cleaned your grease trap. Food establishments must maintain grease traps at least three times a month by EPA.
Bathroom problems
It is surprising to many people that grease trap performance can have a system-wide impact on all the plumbing in their building. A blocked grease trap could negatively impact your flush bathroom performance and affect the water pressure.
Simple Steps To Maintain Your Grease Trap
If you think your plumbing device may need maintenance, it would be best to contact a professional plumber to address the problem. Also, you can follow some DIY steps to keep your grease trap in a good position.
- If you want to avoid congealed solids from clogging the pipes, flush them with hot water.
- Make sure to utilize eco-friendly cleaning products to ensure that the runoff doesn’t get into our draining system.
- Every member of your kitchen needs to know the importance of maintaining the drains that go down to the grease trap. You can help them learn how to identify a grease trap and get to your commercial plumber immediately if there is any trouble.
Bottomline
Grease traps are essential for the smooth operation of large kitchens and should not be overlooked. You can ensure it doesn’t get clogged up with solids and grease by creating a cleaning schedule. Hire a professional plumber to clean your kitchen every three months. You will not only keep your kitchen clean but also save money.
