Grease Trap Pumping

Portland / Vancouver Metro - The Dalles - Hermiston OR & Tri Cities WA

Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) is your plumbing system’s worst nightmare. If these substances go down the drain they will thicken and coat the inside of your pipes, leading to clogged sewer lines and backups into your restaurant. 

Regular grease trap pumping is a crucial part of maintaining a clean and safe restaurant for your guests and employees. And with the help of the qualified technicians at Speedy Septic, managing FOG doesn’t have to be a constant battle! We proudly deliver fast and comprehensive pumping services to businesses throughout Washington and Oregon. To give you long-lasting results that you can rely on, our grease pumping services include:

• Full pumping service
• Pressure washing grease trap walls
• Recycling of restaurant oils
• Drain cleaning and hydro-jetting the lines
• Video camera inspection for quality assurance
• Grease trap replacement & repairs as necessary
• 24/7 emergency services

Types of Commercial Grease Traps

Grease traps are designed to “trap” and separate grease from wastewater before it enters the sewer system. They’re used by restaurants, fast-food chains, school cafeterias, and other food establishments. Grease traps must be pumped and cleaned regularly before the grease trap becomes full and buildup becomes too thick. Here’s a quick overview of the three main types of grease trap and how they work:

• Hydromechanical grease traps: Uses gravity and heat to separate the grease and oil from wastewater
• Gravity-operated grease interceptors: Has multiple compartments to slow the water for FOG separation
• Automatic grease removal units (AGUs): Uses mechanical and electrical components to skim and remove nearly 100% of all FOG

Signs Your Grease Trap Needs to Be Pumped

Neglecting to have your grease traps regularly pumped can cause grease to enter waste streams, which could cause foul odors and serious health hazards throughout your restaurant. Not only will these problems impact your business and reputation, but it could also lead to large fines and even larger repair bills. To ensure your grease trap doesn’t get too full, look out for these signs that you need a pumping service:

• Drains are moving slow or gurgling
• You are experiencing frequent clogs or backups
• There are foul odors in your restaurant or parking lot
• Grease makes up 25% or more of the liquid in your trap
• It’s been longer than 3 months since your last service

Grease Trap FAQs

Is it okay to let a little grease go down the drain?

Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) are capable of causing serious damage to your plumbing system – even in small amounts. The reason it is so harmful to let any FOG go down your drain is because these substances congeal at cooler temperatures, which can completely coat the inside of your pipes and lead to blockages in your drainage or septic system.

Even temporarily lowering your standards for FOG disposal will also set a poor example for your employees. Daily grease management can be challenging for your staff, and they may be tempted to let more and more go down the drain over time. Sticking to best practices will help you avoid major plumbing issues throughout your restaurant.

How do commercial grease traps work?

The purpose of a commercial grease trap is to separate wastewater from fats, oils, and grease (FOG). They function by slowing down the flow of hot, greasy water so that it can cool down enough for the FOG to congeal and float to the top. Once fully separated, the grease trap will hold onto the FOG and let the water go down the drain.

How often should I have my grease trap cleaned?

Most commercial grease traps should be cleaned once every 1 to 3 months. High-volume restaurants or those with smaller grease traps may need to schedule more frequent cleaning services. If you want professional help creating the ideal maintenance routine for your system, don’t hesitate to contact our experts for assistance!

What happens if a grease trap gets too full?

If your grease trap gets too full, the FOG won’t have anywhere to go. Greasy sludge and oil may begin to spill into other compartments of your trap, which may lead to costly damage or clogged lines. Over time this could extend to your plumbing system and result in widespread backups, which could be a major health and operations concern for your restaurant.

An excessively full grease trap will not only be more challenging and time-consuming to clean later on, but it could also cause expensive damage to your entire plumbing system. If you expose customers to health hazards, you could also face hefty fines.

Can I clean a grease trap on my own?

While it is technically possible to clean a grease trap on your own, we strongly recommend investing in professional services. Grease trap cleaning is a challenging, messy, and potentially unsafe task without the right equipment or experience. A qualified professional will make the pumping process significantly faster and easier than performing the job on your own.

Commercial Grease Trap Pumping Services

Keep your restaurant operating like a well-oiled machine with quality grease trap cleaning services from Speedy Septic. We’ll pump your system, clean it, and inspect it to ensure it is always functioning optimally. Our highly trained technicians also offer 24/7 emergency services to make sure you always have support when you need it. If you want to prevent a grease trap disaster in your business, don’t hesitate to give us a call!

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