How Frequently Should You Schedule Grease Trap Cleaning Services?

Grease trap cleaning is an important part of running your restaurant, cafeteria, or grocery store. Without it, your grease trap does not work effectively, and you run the risk of damaging the city’s sewer system which can cost you major fines. The best way to avoid this is to schedule regular grease trap cleaning services so you’re never caught unaware.

How Often to Schedule

The frequency with which to schedule your grease trap cleaning services will vary depending on how much fat, oil, and grease (FOG) you produce. For most businesses, every one to three months is sufficient. A coffee shop or sandwich store will likely require less frequent cleanings than a fast food restaurant or steakhouse.

Regardless of the type of business you run, you should follow the one-quarter cleaning rule. This rule states that if the grease trap is 25% full, it should be cleaned immediately. Any more than that, and your grease trap will no longer work effectively. The grease can leak into the city’s sewer system and clog pipes and drains.

Many cities have regulations for how often a grease trap should be cleaned, and how large the grease trap should be. Check with your city or county inspectors to ensure you meet all their requirements.

How to Maintain Between Cleanings

To help keep your grease trap functioning properly between scheduled cleaning services, make sure your entire staff is clear on what can and can’t go down the drain. Scrape as much food waste as possible from plates, utensils, and cookware before putting them in the sink or dishwasher. Have a plan for cleaning up cooking oil spills and avoid having spills or splatters go down the drain. Be mindful of what foods are sent to through the garbage disposal, since some of these can cause excess FOGs to solidify.

Don’t just count on your staff to maintain your grease trap cleaning requirements. You should also periodically check for wear and tear or damage. Using sink drain covers helps keep food particles out of the pipes. Finally, make sure your employees know not to put any used grease down the drain, and what they should do with it instead.

Professional Grease Trap Cleaning Services in North Georgia

In North Georgia, Hulsey Environmental (a Blue Flow Company) is your best choice for grease trap cleaning services that help you stay ahead of the FOG and avoid problems or fines. Our thorough services involve cleaning the trap by removing all accumulation and FOG, then jetting the lines that lead into the system to further break up additional accumulation and keep things running smoothly. This is also known as grease trap pumping and it’s the best first defense against FOG buildup. Finally, we take the used grease to our facility where it gets turned into biodiesel. You’re not just keeping your business and city sewer clean. You’re also helping the environment.

Please reach out to us if you have any questions or would like to schedule your next grease trap cleaning.