What is a Commercial Grease Trap

A commercial grease trap is a tank built to trap solids from the kitchen drains while allowing the water portion to flow out into the council mains lines. The grease trap has the important job of containing the grease and solids which would otherwise begin to block the pipes and cause environmental hazards and pollution in the council waste system.

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 into the council waste sewer lines.

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 through the outlet, and can eventually buildup and solidify in the outlet pipe to the point where insufficient liquids can escape. The grease trap will then overflow or backup into the kitchen as there is no other place for the liquid and wastes to go.

Should a blockage occur, Lee’s Environmental can provide high pressure water cleaning called Jet Rodding Drain Cleaning to unblock pipes. If your kitchen sink is backing up or the grease trap overflowing, please contact us to request an emergency pump out and jet rodding so your business can continue trading as soon as possible. Depending on your suburb we can achieve 1 hour response times.

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. Regular pump out of the grease trap will help to prevent the kitchen sink draining slowly or backing up. Cleaning the grease trap regularly helps prevent the grease from accumulating on the walls and baffles within the grease trap. The grease eventually eats into these surfaces until they need repair or replacement.

How often does a commercial grease trap need pump out?

Local Councils & the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection closely monitor commercial grease traps to ensure they are cleaned on a regular servicing cycle. Many commercial grease traps are required to be cleaned on 1, 2 or 3 monthly regular cycles with 99% to be serviced at least every 3 months.

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:

  • Using gatic lifters, remove the heavy grease trap lid/s
  • Pump out the grease trap
  • Scrape down all walls and baffles to remove accumulated grease
  • Rinse out the tank with clean water
  • Pump out the rinse out residue
  • Inspect the tank and advise of any repairs or maintenance needed
  • Dispose of waste at a DES approved waste handling facility
  • Automatic submission of reports to local council and DES (Department of Environment & Science) confirming that your grease trap is being pumped out in accordance with their regulations

Tips for maintaining your grease trap

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

  • Use strainers in the sink to prevent chunks of waste accumulating and blocking pipes
  • Wipe grease out of pans before washing
  • Don’t pour oils down the sink as these will solidfy
  • Repair leaking taps
  • Don’t leave taps running unnecessarily
  • Ensure your grease trap is pumped out on the required frequency to prevent grease from solidifying and blocking drains and corroding the inside of the grease trap
  • Attend to other repairs or maintenance as recommended by your service technician

Commercial Grease Trap Repairs

When Lee’s Environmental provides pump out of your grease trap, our technician checks the condition of the grease trap on each occasion and we will let you know if repairs are needed. Lee’s Environmental can assist with the repair or replacement of your commercial 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 and if needed can recommend and perform high pressure cleaning of the tank.

Commercial Grease Trap Lids

It is essential to ensure the lids of commercial grease traps are kept in good condition. Over time, the lids can become difficult to open and close properly and may not sit flush. In this case a grease and grind is needed to ensure the lid is properly closed. The grease trap will begin emitting bad odors if there are any gaps and it is particularly important that they sit flush to prevent trip hazards. If your grease trap lid needs repairing of replacing, call us to today for a quote.

Commercial Grease Trap Lids

Grease trap baffles help to prevent fats and food particles from flowing out of the grease trap, potentially causing blockages. 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. Over time, especially if the grease trap is not regularly pumped out and baffles scraped and cleaned, the fats can eat into the baffles which can cause them to eventually disintegrate. We will notify you if there are issues with the baffles and can reseat or replace as needed.

Grease Trap Repairs

If the walls in your grease trap are worn, we can arrange for repair or a full grease trap reline as needed.

Contact Us

    Please fill in the form below and we will be sure to contact you within 1 hour (within business hours). For immediate service please call 3206 4844.