What is a Grease Trap

A grease trap is a tank built to trap solids from the kitchen drains while allowing the water portion to flow out into other waste tanks or straight to the trenches. The grease trap has the important job of containing the grease and solids which would otherwise begin to block the pipes and eventually destroy the trenches.

How does a grease trap work?

Liquid waste (grease, food particles and water) exits your kitchen sink and enters the grease trap via the “inlet”. Because grease floats, it is trapped between the “baffle walls” allowing the water to flow out of the outlet either into underground piped dispersion areas (trenches) or into grey-water holding tanks.

Why grease trap blockages occur

When trapped grease builds up between baffle walls to the point where grease cannot be retained in the grease trap, it will automatically flow out of the outlet, eventually solidifying in outlet pipes and blocking up drains and can eventually block or destroy the trenches.

Why does a grease trap need regular pump out?

Once the fat has accumulated in the grease trap, if its not emptied, it will begin to block up the outlet pipe, encourage vermin, cause bad odors and eventually overflow. Cleaning the grease trap regularly helps prevent the grease from accumulating on the walls and baffles. The grease eventually eats into these surfaces until they need repair or replacement.

How to Clean a Grease Trap

When choosing a company to pump out your grease trap, its important to check that they will perform a thorough pump out, clean and inspection of the tank. On every occasion Lee’s Environmental provides the highest quality clean to ensure your tank is kept in optimum condition. Our regular service includes:

  • Lift up the main lid and pump out the grease trap
  • Scrape down all walls and baffles to remove accumulated grease and dirty water
  • Rinse out the tank with a garden hose
  • Pump out the rinse out residue
  • Inspect the tank and advise if any repairs or maintenance needed

Tips for maintaining your grease trap

Follow these guidelines to keep your grease trap in good condition:

  • Use strainers in the sink
  • Wipe grease out of pans before washing
  • Don’t pour oils down the sink
  • Repair leaking taps
  • Don’t leave taps running unnecessarily
  • Have your grease trap pumped out on a regular basis

Grease Trap Repairs

Lee’s Environmental can assist with the repair or replacement of your grease trap lids and baffles and the repair or relining of the grease trap walls. Over time, grease builds up on the walls and baffles and gradually eats them away. This is why it is important to have your grease trap regularly cleaned by a company such as Lee’s Environmental who will thoroughly scrape the buildup from the walls and baffles as part of a regular service.

Grease Trap Lids

A standard domestic grease trap can have a round or rectangle lid depending on the size and type. Keeping lids in good condition ensures that odors do not escape from the tank. If your grease trap lid needs replacing, call us to today for a quote to replace your lid

Grease Trap Baffles

Grease trap baffles help to prevent fats and food particles from flowing out of the grease trap and blocking up the pipes and trenches. Because fat is lighter than water, it floats at the top of the tank and the baffles keep the solids collecting there and prevent them from flowing through the outlet pipe. As part of our standard service, we will check and let you know if there are any issues with your baffles and arrange for replacement.

Grease trap with broken baffle

Grease Trap Repairs

If the walls in your grease trap are worn, we can provide repair or a full grease trap reline as needed. See our domestic and commercial grease trap services below.

How Much Does Grease Trap Cleaning Cost?

If you’re in need of a grease trap cleaner, Lee’s Environmental offers fair-market grease trap cleaning prices and provides top quality service. Please contact us today for a price to pump out your grease trap.

Contact Us

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