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:

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

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Have you ever experienced an emergency basement flooding? If not, you probably don’t know what to expect. Here are some tips.

For homeowners, there might not be anything more frustrating than a flooded basement. Whether the flooding is caused by mother nature or a burst pipe, not only can it cause lots of damage that ends up costing an arm and a leg, but also it can be dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing.

Want to ensure that you are ready for a flooded basement? Read on to learn who you should call, what you should do while you wait for help, and what to expect once help arrives.

Who to Call after an Emergency Basement Flooding

Perhaps the most important thing to do following a flooding incident is to take extra precautions until a professional can arrive. A flooded basement is often an electrical hazard and setting foot in the water can lead to serious injury and even death if you are not careful. It’s best to contact an electrician if you cannot safely turn off the power to your home. If your circuit breaker is located in the basement, wait until you know it is safe to enter the water before cutting the electricity.

You should also make sure to call your insurance to file a claim. If you do not have flood coverage, you might want to reconsider. Because flood coverage is not included in most standard homeowner’s insurance policies, if you do not add it to your coverage, you could be out of luck if you need it.

Finally, you need to call a plumber if you suspect a burst pipe is responsible for the flood. An emergency basement flooding requires immediate attention so that you can fix the problem before it gets worse and causes significant damage.

What to Do When Your Basement Floods

Aside from calling in the experts, what can you do?

Well, for starters, you can prevent further damage from happening to your property. If you are certain that the water is safe to touch, you can begin moving personal items and furniture out of the water to minimize the damage. Move any items that you can to a safe area to dry.

If you wait too long to move your possessions from the water, you risk the formation of mold, which could irrevocably damage them. You should also take measures after the water is removed from your basement to clean, sanitize, and dry thoroughly all of the surfaces that the water touched to prevent infestation.

What to Expect from Us

When you call in the plumbing experts from Custom Plumbing of Arizona to help with your emergency basement flooding problems, you can expect quick, professional service with a smile. Our plumbers are standing by to help you stop treading water so you can focus on more important things. Talk to us today if you need help.

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