Grease Trap Perth is essential for preventing fats, oils, and greases (FOG) from reaching the sanitary sewer line and reducing foul odors caused by food waste.
They should be cleaned regularly, but how often depends on the volume of kitchen wastewater and the frequency of use.
Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) disposed of down drains can solidify in pipes and cause blockages and wastewater overflow. Many cities require restaurants and other establishments that prepare food to have a grease trap or interceptor installed on their property to prevent the release of FOG into city sewer systems and public waters.
A grease trap is a large tank that catches wastewater from kitchen sinks and other appliances. It works by slowing the flow of water through it so that the FOG has time to separate from the rest of the waste. The tank is then fitted with a series of baffles that make it difficult for the FOG to escape. The cooled wastewater then flows out of the trap into the sewer system.
The efficiency of a grease trap depends on how often it is cleaned and how much food waste it catches. The frequency of cleaning will vary depending on local regulations and the type of business. For example, a restaurant that does a lot of deep frying will need to have its grease trap serviced more frequently than a coffee shop with minimal fryers.
Typically, grease traps are fabricated from stainless steel, although some are made of plastic or concrete. They are placed above ground, below ground or inside the kitchen and can be as small as a 40-liter capacity to as large as 45,000 liters.
The simplest grease traps work by cooling the warm or hot greasy wastewater so that the fats and oil float while the food solids sink. They are then separated by a series of baffles that allow the filtered clear water to flow out of the outlet fitting into the sanitary sewer system.
More advanced models of grease traps have sensors that automatically skim the top of the grease by a mechanical or non-mechanical means. They also monitor the levels of FOG in the tank in real-time so that when it is approaching full, a warning alarm can be activated. This reduces the downtime required for emptying and cleaning, as well as reducing the risk of contamination from uncollected FOG.
Maintenance
Grease traps must be cleaned regularly, or the resulting greasy waste can build up and overflow into sink drains and the sewer system. This is a critical aspect of commercial kitchen operations and can cause significant problems, including unpleasant odors and costly blockages. Regular grease trap cleanings by qualified technicians help to prevent these problems and keep your facility operating efficiently.
The specific timeline for cleaning your grease trap can vary depending on the load, but a general rule of thumb is to clean it every two weeks. This will ensure that the grease and oils are separated from your culinary wastewater and that the clean wastewater is discharged into the sanitary sewer system. The frequency of cleaning will also depend on the specific volume of grease that your facility generates.
Professional grease trap cleaners are familiar with the laws, rules, and regulations that pertain to your local area, and they can help to ensure that your grease traps are up to code to avoid fines. In addition, professionals are skilled at identifying any issues that may be developing with your trap and can provide you with services to correct them before they turn into expensive repairs.
It is important to educate your staff about proper grease disposal practices in the kitchen. This will help to reduce the amount of fat, oil and grease that enters your grease trap and helps to keep it in good working order. It is also important to avoid pouring any solids down your sink drains, as this can clog your drain and the associated sewer lines.
When cleaning your grease trap, it is important to scrape the walls and baffles thoroughly. This will remove any adhered grease build-up and prevent further blockages. It is also important to dispose of the accumulated grease properly to ensure compliance with local regulations.
When a grease trap isn’t being maintained properly, it can begin to fill up with FOG and lose its effectiveness. This can lead to a variety of problems, including foul odors that can spread throughout the facility and into the dining area. FOG can also overflow the trap and into your sewer line, leading to costly damage and potential sanitation issues.
Installation
Grease traps are installed in the kitchen near the source of FOG, most often underneath a sink. They are also sometimes located outdoors where space is limited, in which case they are buried underground. Regardless of location, the grease trap should be as close to the source as possible. This allows the waste to be processed as quickly and efficiently as possible, reducing plumbing costs.
Before the installation of a grease trap, it is important to consult with your local municipality and plumbing code enforcement officials. This will help ensure that the project is completed according to regulations. It will also save time and money in the long run, as a poorly constructed grease trap could result in costly repairs and clogs down the line.
Once the proper permits have been obtained, construction can begin. This will include the excavation and foundation for the grease interceptor, plumbing connections, installation and venting. It is recommended that you work with an experienced commercial plumber for this process. They will know the proper sizing based on the flow rate of the kitchen and can help you get the most out of your investment by installing the right size grease trap for your business.
In addition to ensuring that the grease interceptor is properly sized, the contractor will ensure that it is connected correctly to your sewer line. This is crucial in order to prevent sewage from back-ups and other plumbing issues. The connection should be sealed using the appropriate material for your piping (i.e. epoxy for ABS or thread sealant for metal).
While larger grease traps may seem like a better option, they can actually be more expensive in the long run because they need to be professionally pumped out more frequently. In addition, rotting food contained within the interceptor can produce toxic hydrogen sulfide gas that attacks mild steel and concrete, resulting in a corroded or clogged grease trap.
The installation of a grease interceptor can be a tricky process, but it is essential for any restaurant that wants to avoid expensive plumbing problems down the road. Choosing an experienced commercial plumber can ensure that your grease trap is installed and connected correctly, saving you a lot of headaches in the future.
Repairs
There’s a lot on the line when it comes to running a restaurant or commercial kitchen. That’s why it’s important to keep a grease trap working properly so you can avoid costly backflow issues and regulatory violations. It’s also a great way to protect the environment, since it keeps FOG out of sewer lines and wastewater treatment facilities.
One of the main functions of a grease trap is to prevent blockages in your drains, but even the best-maintained ones can experience problems at some point. If you’re noticing that your sinks are draining slowly or that they’re blocking completely, it’s a good indication that the grease trap or the pipes that lead to it need some repairs.
In many cases, a repair can be made to a grease trap by relining the inside of it. However, if the grease trap is very old and damaged, it may need to be replaced entirely. In this case, it’s a good idea to contact a professional plumbing company, as they can handle both installation and replacement of grease traps.
The first step is to clean the walls of the grease trap. The plumbing professionals will use a non-corrosive surfactant blend that easily penetrates and breaks down solid blockages. After the walls are cleaned they will be power washed to improve the application and adhesion of new concrete and sealant. Then, using a licensed technician and atmosphere monitoring equipment they will perform a confined space entry into the grease trap. This includes pumping the contents of the trap to be able to access the walls of the trap. They will then apply a high strength smooth trowel epoxy mortar for structural concrete repair to the walls of the trap.
The plumbing professionals will then test the grease trap and pipes for proper functioning and to be sure there are no leaks or cracks. If they find that the grease trap is not functioning as it should be, they will recommend a replacement or an alternative solution for your business. With regular maintenance and repair, your grease trap will continue to function smoothly for years to come.