We have always emphasized that pouring grease down the drain is not advisable. While you have to be concerned about its effects on your sink drain, you also have to consider the bigger picture and ponder about its negative contribution to the plumbing system as a whole. While grease may solidify and form clogs right in your sink drain pipe, you should know that there’s still a considerable amount of oily substances that flows right through the rest of your drainage lines. Now problems are expected to arise when grease gets into your septic tank, solidify, form obstructions in there and affect the treatment of wastes. Fortunately, we have grease traps. Learn more about these things and why they should be maintained as well.
What Are Grease Traps?
Grease traps are also known to many as grease interceptors. These are passive devices that are specially designed to impede the flow of oil, grease, fat, wax and debris from entering your septic tank or reaching the public sewer where your property is connected to. These types of waste substances cause clogs in your plumbing system which will then lead to overflows and backups. Aside from clog prevention, these interceptors are also responsible for separating the greasy elements from your wastewater. This way, only the soiled water will reach the septic tank or sewer system and be treated there.
Are Grease Traps Required?
Building codes mandate that facilities need to have grease traps installed to ensure that wastewater will be pre-treated before it enters the sewer system or septic tank.
Who Can Install And Maintain Grease Traps?
To avoid the risk of water contamination, it is required that professional, licensed and certified plumbers install and maintain grease traps not only in commercial establishments but also in residential homes.
How Are Grease Traps Maintained By Professionals?
1. The lid of the grease trap will be removed with the use of a bar. This will be carefully done to ensure that the gaskets found under the lid won’t get damaged.
2. After the lid is removed, the components of the grease trap will be removed as well.
3. Now that the plumber has access to the very container, a wooden dowel or measuring stick will be inserted into the trap. It will be used to measure the amount of oily substances that are stored in the container.
4. The measurement will be recorded so that the plumber will have a reference of the grease trap’s condition. This will be checked again in the future, during the next maintenance appointment.
5. Once done, a bucket will be utilized to gather out the standing water inside the trap.
6. When the water is removed, the solid wastes will be scooped out next. These waste materials will be transferred to a leak-free container and properly disposed.
7. After emptying the trap of all the wastes it holds, it will be thoroughly cleaned using soap and tap water.
8. The trap’s components will be reassembled afterwards.
We hope that you learned about the importance of grease trap maintenance from our blog today. Remember to call your trusted Broward County plumber to clean your grease trap regularly. Douglas Orr Plumbing provides top-notch plumbing services in Broward County including septic tank and grease trap service, sewer jetting, sewer cleaning, sewer camera locator, leak detection, backflow prevention and many more! Call us at (305) 240-6731to schedule a service!
Learn more about grease traps! Watch this video now.