Regular cleaning of Grease Trap Perth is imperative to prevent the detrimental effects of clogged pipes and unpleasant odors. Failure to maintain these traps can lead to severe consequences, including the obstruction of plumbing systems and the emission of foul smells.
Local municipalities enforce stringent regulations mandating the proper upkeep of grease traps, imposing substantial fines on restaurants that neglect this responsibility. Adhering to these regulations not only ensures the smooth functioning of the establishment’s plumbing but also upholds standards of hygiene and environmental responsibility.
To prevent grease and food scraps from going down drains, train your staff to wipe dishes and dump food waste into the trash. You can also try line jetting, a powerful method that blasts away FOG from your pipes.
Clogged Pipes
Restaurant owners have plenty of things to worry about. Aside from keeping the kitchen humming along with a steady stream of hungry diners, they also need to ensure that the grease traps are clean and functional. Failing to do this can lead to a host of problems, including sewer blockages and backups. It can also cost restaurants thousands of dollars in damages.
Aside from having a professional cleaning service handle the job, restaurants should also train staff on proper waste disposal practices. This will help to minimize the amount of food debris that ends up in the grease traps in the first place.
If the traps are not being cleaned regularly, they may start to disintegrate, releasing hydrogen sulfur gas into the kitchen. This is not a good thing for employees or customers. The smell of this gas can be very off-putting, and it can also cause the drains to clog.
In some cases, the grease trap itself could be installed incorrectly. When this occurs, it is vital to have professionals come out and inspect the trap to make sure that it is working properly. Attempting to use chemicals or enzymes that claim to break down the fats, oils, and grease in the trap is not recommended, as it can damage the unit and cause future clogs.
Having the right grease trap maintenance plan in place is essential for any restaurant owner. A grease trap that isn’t properly maintained can end up causing a lot of expensive problems for the business. Fortunately, preventing these issues is not difficult. It just requires that the owner work with a trusted service provider to have the traps cleaned on a regular basis.
Foul Odors
When fats, oils and grease degrade in your trap, they produce foul odors that can permeate your restaurant. This can turn off guests and lead to lost revenue for your business. It’s important that your staff knows to keep food particles away from the drains so they don’t end up in the fryer oil storage bin or the trap itself.
If your grease traps aren’t pumped out properly, they will dry up and the bacteria inside will begin to decompose. This can release pungent nitrates and rotten egg-smelling sulfates that can make the inside of your restaurant smell incredibly foul. Luckily, this can be prevented with proper grease trap maintenance and by using a quality odor treatment product.
Some of the most common reasons why a restaurant’s grease traps may need to be cleaned are that they aren’t being pumped out regularly and/or they aren’t being used correctly. To avoid these issues, have your traps drained and cleaned by a qualified professional regularly to ensure they are working as intended.
Also, make sure your staff understands the importance of putting only liquid waste down the drain. Pouring used cooking oil down a drain will cause it to harden, which can block the pipe and eventually lead to a clog. Instead, line chefs should be encouraged to place the cooled fryer oil in cans and then recycle it or dispose of it properly rather than simply throwing it down the drain. This will reduce clogs and ensure your restaurant’s grease trap maintenance is going as smoothly as possible.
Health Risks
Just like slicing onions without shedding tears or flipping pancakes takes skill and knowledge, grease traps require maintenance to work correctly. Regular cleanings by a qualified service provider can save you from major headaches, unpleasant odors and costly fines.
Grease traps intercept greasy substances from commercial kitchens before they enter plumbing systems and sewage systems. When hot water mixed with fats, oils and grease flows into the trap, it drops in temperature, causing the fats to solidify so they rise to the top of the trap and the heavier solids sink to the bottom. The relatively clear wastewater that remains can then exit the trap into the sewage system without clogging drains or causing sewer backups.
The problem occurs when the fatty deposits become too thick and build up in the trap, preventing it from being able to perform its function. This causes odors that can not only affect employees working in the kitchen but also scare off customers and result in negative Yelp reviews. Odors are not the only issue; gases produced by decomposition of the FOG and solid food waste can also be harmful to health. These gases can cause respiratory problems and even burn skin.
When the grease trap isn’t cleaned regularly, the FOG and sludge build up, leading to a clog that requires professional attention. Clogged lines can lead to wastewater overflow that contaminates the restaurant’s water source. This contaminated water may then be used for cooking or washing dishes, which can put your customers at risk of food poisoning.
To keep your grease trap functioning properly, it is important to avoid using bleach, emulsifiers or chemicals in an attempt to ‘clean’ the trap. These products can kill the beneficial bacteria in the trap and liquefy the FOG, causing it to return to the plumbing system and clog the drains.
Legal Issues
Most cities and towns have regulations in place that require restaurants to have a grease trap or interceptor for managing the fats, oils and grease (FOG) produced by their kitchens. Failing to follow these rules can result in fines, penalties and even closure of the establishment. Regular cleaning of a restaurant’s grease trap helps to ensure compliance with these laws and can help to avoid costly consequences.
A dirty trap is a breeding ground for pests, including fruit flies, cockroaches and rats. These pests can cause foodborne illnesses and pose a health risk to customers. Additionally, they can contribute to blocked pipes and other sanitation issues in the kitchen. In addition, a dirty trap can contribute to a failed health inspection.
Another issue is the flammability of accumulated grease and oil. When the grease trap catches fire, it can lead to a catastrophic blaze that endangers lives and damages property. Failing a health inspection due to the failure of a grease trap or interceptor can be devastating for any restaurant, particularly if it results in fines or closure.
Keeping a grease trap clean can reduce the likelihood of clogs and backups, as well as provide a safer and more efficient kitchen environment for staff members. While it may seem like a hassle to lift out and dispose of the jumble of gunk, it is a task that must be done regularly to maintain proper functionality. A professional grease trap service will know the best time and frequency to clean a restaurant’s grease trap. In many cases, these services will also perform line jetting to remove a clog or blockage that has occurred downstream of the grease trap.
Environmental Impact
While lifting out the jumble of fats, oils and grease (FOG) that makes up your restaurant’s grease trap may not be anyone’s idea of fun, it is something you have to do-and regularly. This is a key part of proper grease trap maintenance and can help to prevent serious problems like sewer line backups and foul smells.
Sewer clogs and blockages will not just release FOG into the environment; they will also cause raw sewage to flood streets, parking lots, homes and businesses. This can cause severe damage, and is a huge health hazard for both humans and animals. Many governments require restaurants to have grease traps and enforce regulations to avoid sewage backups and other environmental hazards.
The most important thing you can do to protect the environment is to clean your grease trap regularly. This means keeping up with local regulations based on your location and draining the trap when it is 14 full of FOG to prevent the formation of odors and clogs.
Additionally, you should avoid using any additives or chemicals that claim to reduce the need for cleaning. These can kill the natural enzymes in the trap and make it less effective. Furthermore, they are often dangerous to the environment and may even be against your city or state’s laws.
It is also vital to ensure your grease traps are properly installed and sized from the outset. This can prevent the need for more frequent cleanings and help to keep your kitchen running smoothly. Lastly, you should keep detailed records of your grease trap maintenance and cleaning activities to prove compliance with regulations. If you are unsure how to do this, a professional can take care of it for you.