If you own or operate a commercial kitchen, you’re more than likely already acquainted with that undercover kitchen saviour, the grease trap. These boxes, hidden somewhere between the main sink and the city sewer line, have one role: to catch fat, oil and grease and prevent it from clogging drains. Kitchen grease is the number one cause of blockages in pipes and sewer lines, so pre-emptive action when you have a business to run is a must. Grease traps prevent clogs and their potential consequences, like sewage backups and flooding. Keeping them well maintained will ensure that all continues to flow smoothly.
HOW THEY WORK
Picture what happens when you pour melted butter into a glass of water and you’ll start to conceptualize the way grease traps work. The fat rises to the top and hardens, while the water slinks to the bottom. When wastewater enters the grease trap, the same type of scenario occurs. Any solids within will sink to the bottom, and grease will stay afloat at the top, allowing only water to pass through into the sewer line. Overtime, grease will accumulate in the trap from the top down. Regular grease trap cleaning is therefore necessary to ensure that water continues to be able to pass freely. In Calgary, restaurants and other businesses trust Wild Rose Vacuum Services for all their grease trap cleaning needs.
GREASE TRAP MAINTENANCE
It isn’t difficult to keep your grease trap running smoothly. Routine professional vacuuming is the key. How often should you have it cleaned out? The answer is, it depends on the quantity of grease your kitchen produces. The general rule is once a month, but high volume restaurants will require more frequent cleanings. It’s more crucial to note when the quantity of grease within the trap hits the 25% mark. It’s at this point that the grease trap is no longer able to perform adequately, and fats and oils will escape into the sewer line.
GREASE TRAP DOS AND DON’TS
To ascertain that your grease trap performs at its optimum, adhere to the following:
Do routinely have your grease trap professionally cleaned.
Don’t connect garbage disposals or scalding hot dishwashers to grease traps.
Do train staff to discard food waste in the garbage as much as possible.
Don’t throw boiling water in sinks with grease traps.
Do make sure your grease trap is the right size for your business.
Don’t throw bleach or other harsh chemicals in your grease trap.
VACUUM TRUCK SERVICES
In Calgary, Wild Rose Vacuum Services will arrive at your commercial kitchen after hours to ensure the ensuing grease trap cleaning doesn’t interrupt your business. Our trucks efficiently eradicate your Calgary kitchen of grease trap build-up with minimal odours released, as all the grease is guided directly from trap to truck. We also provide grease trap replacement services. Contact us today for a free quote.