Grease traps are commonly found in buildings with businesses that produce a lot of fats, oils, and grease (FOG). Businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, and commercial kitchens, are mandated to have grease traps installed on their premises, says Cardinal Point Property Management.
This is because if fats, oils, and grease enter the public sewer system, they can cause massive problems. Grease traps help to keep them out. Grease traps also protect the sewer systems of the commercial kitchens where they are installed.
However, to work properly, grease traps need to meet certain conditions. The grease trap should never be allowed to overflow. An overflowing grease trap will neither protect the private drainage system nor public sewer lines.
This is due to the design of the grease trap. How does a grease trap work?
Grease traps operate on the principle that fats and oils will float on top of water because they are 10%-15% less dense than water
When wastewater flows into a grease trap, it is slowed down to let the water cool and separate into three layers: solids, grease, and water
Solids settle at the bottom of the receptacle. The grease rises to the top and is trapped using a system of baffles. The filtered water escapes via an outlet.
The grease remains trapped inside the interceptor tank, and over time, if enough grease builds up, the tank can start to overflow.
What happens when a grease trap overflows?
Here are some of the problems when a grease trap overflows:
Clogs
If the grease trap is indoors, the inlet pipe may clog and cause wastewater to back up into the kitchen. If the grease trap is outdoors, the outlet pipe may clog, causing wastewater to back up into the surrounding areas.
Slow drains
An overflowing grease trap will make your sink drain and other drains in your kitchen slow. This is because of the buildup of solid waste and water inside the pipes due to the overflowing grease tank.
Unpleasant smells
Bad odors are a sign that your grease trap is overflowing. The odors are caused by decaying organic matter – fats, oils, grease, etc. – inside the overflowing grease trap.
Hiring a licensed professional to clean your grease trap not only ensures thorough cleaning but also gets the right cleaning schedule.
Why your grease trap overflows often and what to do about it
It is normal for your grease trap to fill up after weeks of constant use. However, it is a problem if the grease trap overflows many times within a relatively short time. This may be due to any of the following reasons:
The grease trap is too small
If the grease trap is not big enough for the amount of grease generated in your kitchen, it will fill up prematurely. It is important to properly assess a kitchen’s needs before installing a grease trap. Also, if the kitchen was expanded but a new grease trap was not installed, the grease trap may overflow more often. To solve the problem, have a plumber assess your grease trap and compare it to the amount of grease produced in your kitchen.
Chemical reactions within the grease trap
Grease can cause all kinds of problems inside your drainage system. As an example, chemical drain cleaners can react with grease to form solids that block your drain lines. This is why the kind of cleaners you use in or around your grease trap matters. To prevent blockages, use only biodegradable cleaners in your kitchen and grease traps.
Rodents nesting in the grease trap
Animals are shockingly resilient; they can survive in the most unlikely places. Rodents often make their home inside a grease trap to gain easy access to the food waste inside the trap. The activities of these animals can interfere with the normal operation of the grease trap and clog it. Rodents may even return after a grease trap has been cleaned. The best way to prevent this problem is to seal the device properly.
Tree root intrusion
Tree roots don’t just damage sewer lines, they attack grease traps too. If there are shrubs and trees with invasive roots near your grease trap, their roots may grow into the trap. Tree roots inside your grease trap will stop the proper flow of water and grease through the device. To prevent this problem, install root barriers around the grease trap.
The trap is not emptied properly
Local authorities usually require that grease trap cleaning should be done by licensed professionals. There is a reason for this. Amateur grease trap cleaning endangers public health and public infrastructure. Hiring a licensed professional to clean your grease trap not only ensures thorough cleaning but also gets the right cleaning schedule.
To conclude, a frequently overflowing grease trap can be a drain on your time, energy, and money. If you are dealing with this problem, it is a sign that something is wrong with your grease trap. Maybe it is time to have an expert look at the problem to find a permanent cure.