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If you are running any sort of professional business that deals with grease, such as a restaurant, you must know that you are required by law to have a grease trap—and to maintain it with regular grease trap cleaning. Without a grease trap, all the fats, oils, and greases (FOG), can get into the municipal water systems and cause serious and costly damage to the system as they build up. FOGs are able to cling to pipe walls easily, and as more of it gets into drainage pipes, and ultimately the sewer pipes, clogs can start, backing up sewage and causing damage to buildings through pipe back-ups and possibly even burst pipes.

Every year, millions of dollars are spent in municipalities around the country trying to unclog their sewer pipes due to inconsiderate people that are flushing FOGs down their drains without realizing the consequences. If you are a restaurant or another business with a grease trap, you aren’t immune to consequence; without regular grease trap cleaning, your grease traps may not be functioning fully, and that means they could be allowing FOGs through the system.

What is a Grease Trap?

Grease traps have been around for well over a century; they are devices that are capable of capturing FOGs before they can make it into the municipal sewage systems, all while still allowing clear water through to the sewer system. Once captured, FOGs have to be removed from grease traps every so often in order to maintain the function of the grease trap. Grease trap cleaning is important, and it should be done professionally—especially if you have a very large underground tank.

How Does a Grease Trap Function?

Grease traps allow clear water to pass through them while capturing FOGs to ensure the continued safe function of sewer systems. FOGs, by their very nature, being made up of animal fats and vegetable oils, mostly are less dense than normal water; therefore, they will naturally float to the top of any body of water. Many grease traps will first strain solids using a removable strainer, then will allow any remaining FOGS into a basin of water. However, if they do allow solids through, those will eventually settle at the bottom of the trap. In the main trap, the FOGS will naturally float up to the top so that they can be removed later by a professional grease trap cleaning company for disposal. Only clear water is allowed to exit the grease trap because the outlet pipe is positioned so that it is only within clear water. The FOGs will be floating at the top, and solids will settle at the bottom.

There are three main types of grease traps. Manual grease traps require you to skin the FOGs and remove solids manually every few weeks to ensure the system remains fully functional. Automatic grease traps have systems within them that skim the top of the surface regularly and deposit the FOGs in an easy to empty container externally. Finally, graphic grease traps are used for large-volume businesses; they work similar to manual grease traps, except that they are placed in the ground, externally to the business, due to their size. Grease trap cleaning professionals will know how to clean your trap properly.

All types of grease traps will require regular maintenance; however, automatic systems will require less cleaning due to their skimming functions. Grease trap cleaning is an important step in maintenance because it gets rid of built-up FOGs and allows professionals to check on the system to ensure it is still working properly.

If you have a grease trap and need to set up regularly scheduled grease trap cleaning, then contact Drane Ranger today to set up an appointment.

How do restaurants get rid of grease? A lot of business owners wonder this when they’re starting out. The simple answer is that they hire professional grease trap cleaning services, but why is this the best option, and what are the benefits? Let’s take a dive into the reasons why grease trap cleaning services are the only legitimate option for restaurants who need to get rid of their grease.

Professional Service is Effective

One of the key reasons that restaurants hire grease trap cleaning services to get rid of their grease is professionalism. Grease trap cleaning companies know exactly what they are doing and will ensure that the job is done right so you don’t encounter problems down the road. Grease trap cleaning must be done properly, and only those that have the necessary experience can do that.

No Legal Hassles

Did you know that grease disposal has to abide by certain local regulations and laws or you could face legal trouble? Restaurants hire grease trap cleaning services because they have an intricate knowledge of all the legal requirements surrounding waste disposal for their area, and this allows business owners to guarantee they won’t be in trouble should anything go wrong. This includes fines for breaking environmental conversation rules, polluting public spaces or water, and more, so you really can’t wing it with this kind of job.

Keep Your Restaurant in Shape

Some restaurant owners might try to skimp on grease trap cleaning rather than hire a service, which can be a severe detriment to their business. If your grease trap isn’t cleaned properly, your restaurant will likely begin to take on an unpleasant odor that drives away customers, and you may not be able to pass health inspections. Hiring a grease trap cleaning service regularly is the best way to assure your business can continue to operate.

Avoid Serious Leaks, Clogs, and Damages

Restaurants also hire professional grease trap cleaning services to avoid serious issues that can cost them a lot of money. Grease trap cleaning services know how to deal appropriately with leaks and clogs, and they know how to do so without risking damage to your equipment. Trying to handle these things yourself often just worsens the situation, and you’ll end up paying more for a repair service.

Time is Money

Not to mention, restaurant owners are also incredibly busy. Many restaurant owners have a variety of businesses to take care of, and they don’t have time to also become experts at grease trap cleaning. Hiring a grease trap cleaning service allows restaurant owners to focus on the parts of their business that matter, which means they can concentrate on profits rather than kitchen maintenance. Time is money, and restaurant owners shouldn’t overwork themselves trying to learn a whole new occupation–the investment in a grease trap cleaning service will save you money in the long run.

Overall, restaurants get rid of their grease through professional grease trap cleaning services, which provide a variety of benefits. Grease trap cleaning companies deliver effective, efficient services that help you avoid legal, equipment, and customer issues. Hiring a grease trap cleaning service regularly is essential for any restaurant owner that wants to stay in business. Click the link above to learn more!

Grease Is the Word

Running a restaurant can be very lucrative, but it can also be quite a challenge. Food handling has a great swath of regulations and standards that must be maintained for safety and cleanliness. FDA standards for food inspection are very strict to keep patrons safe and for the business to avoid liability—and in food prep, it doesn’t take very much for something to go wrong. That’s why maintenance is key. Constant cleaning of all components ensures quality food without risks of potentially life-threatening sicknesses and infections, like salmonella and E. Coli, and without threatening the environment with the neglected buildup of greases and oils. This is one of the major reasons it’s important to keep up on grease trap cleaning.

How Does a Grease Trap Work?

A grease trap is a basic mechanism that acts as a filter that catches oil and grease runoff as it runs toward a drain. The grease trap catches the semi-solid fats, which are heavier than the water carried with it, in a basin between the grill and the drain. This keeps the grease from seeping into sewer pipes. Regular grease trap cleaning is therefore needed to avoid many environmental catastrophes and the fines that follow.

Grease trap cleaning is also essential for many other reasons. Oils are heavily viscous, and they can easily lock up a drainage system with buildup. This can damage components, cause downtime, or in the worst cases, lead to a fire. A grease trap looks like a large, square basin that is about the size of a large, two-handled storage box, but it is made of metal with a sealed lid. To clean the trap, the lid must be carefully pried off without chipping or cutting the rubber gasket. Inside, the receptacle holds the grease, which must be stored in an approved environmental waste container.

The Costs of Grease Trap Cleaning, and the Cost of Avoiding Grease Trap Cleaning

While a grease trap cleaning is, in theory, a fairly simple task, it can also be risky to undertake it yourself without the proper training. Because grease traps are made up of several sensitive components that are assembled to specifications, grease trap cleaning that is done by untrained persons is unrecommended. It can be easy for a botched grease trap cleaning to damage the gaskets or lose parts, costing you the replacement of the parts or the entire unit, both of which can potentially cost you thousands, plus downtime.

Professional cleaning companies will charge a nominal price for a grease trap cleaning. In the United States, this typically ranges between approximately $115 and $1050, depending on the size, type, and buildup of your trap. If you are unsure, ask for a quote before getting a grease trap cleaning. One thing that is certain, though, is that a professional grease trap cleaning is much more economical than dealing with the costs involved in botched cleanings, or no cleanings at all.

Professional Grease Trap Cleaning

Restaurants in the Houston area need to keep up on regular grease trap cleaning. If you are in the Houston area and need professional grease trap cleaning, contact Drane Ranger.

There was an old myth that, if you poured your grease down the sink and then chased it with hot water, this was the best way to get rid of fat and grease from your kitchen. We have since learned that this is not a good way at all to dispose of grease and fats. It is a good thing that commercial businesses don’t use this method and instead use commercial grease trap cleaning to dispose of their grease and fats.

Risk of fire

There are laws on how often you need to complete a commercial grease trap cleaning. These laws may vary from city to city or state to state, but they are in place for reasons. As a commercial business, you want to ensure that these timelines are followed, not just for legal reasons, but also to prevent damage and costly plumbing emergencies. One of the major concerns with regard to commercial grease traps that are not cleaned properly is the risk of fire. Fats and oils that are stored or that stay in the grease traps can be flammable, and oil and fat fires tend to burn hotter and longer than a basic fire. This can cause damage to your building, your business, and potentially even injury or death to your employees.

Risk of Health hazards

A business owner continues to monitor operation costs to ensure that the profit margins are as high as possible. One of the biggest worries for business owners is emergencies—and the corresponding unexpected costs of repairs. Doing regular commercial grease trap cleaning can help eliminate some of these costly repairs. When grease traps are not cleaned regularly there can be a buildup of grease and fats. This can then begin to back up the pipes and overflow back into the kitchen, or into another facility where it is being used. When this occurs, there will often be a foul smell, but in addition to that unpleasant odor can also be severe health risks that result from the bacteria that are coming back into the business along with the overflowing grease and fats. This health emergency can shut down your business until the traps are cleaned and the facility is restored to health standards.

Risk of costly repairs or replacement

Commercial grease trap cleaning can assist in preventing damage to the pipes and the trap system. When the traps and pipes are not professionally cleaned on a regular and scheduled basis, the pipes can begin to wear down. The acid and bacteria left in the pipes can corrode the pipes and reduce the integrity of the system. When this happens the pipes and trap system can begin to leak and eventually burst. There would be a huge clean up, but there would also be a costly emergency to replace the entire grease trap system.

Commercial grease trap cleaning is not something that can or should be ignored. By having your grease traps cleaned and maintained on a regular basis, you can prevent costly emergencies. For more information about grease trap cleaning in your area click here.

Maintaining a clean and healthy environment is crucial for any restaurant. When it comes to the kitchen, regular cleaning and thorough deep cleans are the key to a safe environment. Any restaurant with a grill will have an idea of just how much grime and grease is made after rush hour, but what happens to that grease once it’s scraped away? While it may not be at the top of your to-do list, restaurant grease trap cleaning is essential, and every restaurant should make it part of their regular cleaning routine.

Don’t Clean it Yourself

Who doesn’t love a DIY solution? While it may seem like a good way to save a few bucks, cleaning a grease trap on your own is prone to numerous problems and can even make the grease trap worse. Many commercial chemicals and enzymes advertised for restaurant grease trap cleaning don’t actually break down the grease, but instead simply separate it from water. When this happens, grease can flow down the wastewater system and clog it. To avoid more complications, the best option is always to hire a restaurant grease trap cleaning service for regular cleaning.

Don’t Ignore the Trap

Thinking grease trap issues aren’t too big of a deal? A grease trap is never going to fix itself. Ignoring problems with a grease trap will only heighten the problem and potentially result in serious health and safety risks. Restaurants should always keep a close eye on grease traps and take a proactive approach to resolving issues before they get out of hand. Regular cleaning is the best way to keep grease traps in good condition. Bringing in professionals to take care of your restaurant grease trap cleaning is the most effective option.

Do Check the Trap is Installed Properly

You may be thinking this is obvious, but improper installation of a grease trap is unfortunately all too common in restaurants. A sign the trap has not been installed properly is a lack of grease, fats, or oils. If your grease trap has been installed for over a week and you aren’t noticing anything accumulating during your restaurant grease trap cleaning, there is a good chance the trap wasn’t installed properly.

Do Hire Professional Restaurant Grease Trap Cleaning Services

Incorporating regular grease trap cleaning into the regular maintenance schedule is a must. As previously mentioned, cleaning grease traps yourself can lead to even more problems, and you will always want to bring in professional restaurant grease trap cleaning services. Professionals will come with the experience, knowledge, and tools needed to properly clean a grease trap.

Restaurant Grease Trap Cleaning Experts

With regular cleaning, restaurants can get the most life out of grease traps and prevent health risks for staff and customers. At Drane Ranger, we provide a number of services for all your trap needs. With our restaurant grease trap cleaning services, you get a comprehensive cleaning and maintenance, which includes grease trap odor control, to keep your business running safely.