Did you know there are ways to keep a grease trap in good working order? In this article, we will give you some tips on how to clean a grease trap effectively!
Grease traps are a common plumbing fixture found at home and across commercial establishments. These filters trap grease and other debris before it can reach your drains and sinks. As a result, they need to be cleaned regularly.
What is the Importance of Installing a Grease Trap?
Regular drain cleaning services can keep your plumbing in good shape. Grease traps are extremely important in preventing grease, and other food from ending up in your sewer system. This can cause blockages and flooding, which can lead to costly repairs. Plus, it’s illegal to discharge wastewater untreated into waterways. So, if you have a grease trap installed, clean it regularly and replace the filter if necessary.
How to Clean a Grease Trap?
Grease traps can be a pain to clean, but it’s important to do so on a regular basis. Here are 8 steps on how to clean a grease trap:
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Detach the lid from the grease trap gently with a pry bar
There are grease trap gaskets right under the cover, so proceed cautiously during this process.
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Inspect the grease trap’s parts once the lid is removed
During cleaning, you’ll need to remove and replace parts; to put them back in correctly, you’ll need to know where the pieces are and how to install them. To get better results, creating a diagram of the trap’s interior would be beneficial, which you can consult when re-installation is done.
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Insert a wooden dowel or measuring stick into the grease trap
Allow the grease and oils to mark the dowel by gently guiding it to the bottom of the trap and gently swirling it there. Using this guide, you can determine how much debris is in the trap. This needs to be written down and recorded in a FOG report provided by the EPA.
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Use a small bucket to remove any standing water from the tank of your grease trap
Drain out the excess grease trap water with a bucket or small pump. Set this water aside.
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Remove the waste from your grease trap with the small bucket
Fill the trap with the bucket, then remove the solidified waste. Put the debris in a water-tight container, such as a large plastic trash bag.
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Scrape down the lid and the sides of the trap with your bucket
By doing this, you’ll be able to stop debris that you’ve knocked loose but haven’t yet removed from quickly building up.
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Clean the lids, trap sides, and parts with soap and room-temperature water
Use a steel pot scrubber to eliminate extra trash and odor. Rinse the screens and components with water to get rid of the soap and debris.
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Properly reinstall any removed parts and replace the lid
If you have to remove a grease trap, make sure to properly reinstall any removed parts and replace the lid. Grease traps must be tightly fitted and sealed to work properly, so don’t force anything if it doesn’t seem to fit properly.
Ready To Solve Your Grease Trap Problems With Custom Plumbing?
How to clean a grease trap? If you’re tired of dealing with grease trap cleaning, Custom Plumbing of Arizona can help. We offer a variety of services that can help make your life easier, including installing new grease traps, cleaning existing ones, and even providing maintenance services. We’re always here to help; call us at 602-883-2761 today.