Grease traps are an involved part of a kitchen's wastewater drainage system. Wastewater from the sinks, dishwasher, and floor drains contains various amounts of grease and oils. This waste passes down drainpipes that lead to the grease trap. The grease trap's job is to slow the flow of water and allow it to cool inside the grease trap. As the water is slowed and cooled in the grease trap, greases and oils being lighter than water, float to the top of the grease trap. As water flows through the outlet baffle of the grease trap, most of the oils and greases are "trapped" in the grease trap.

Grease traps are sized based on the expected flow and grease levels in wastewater. For example, a 4' x 4' x 2' trap might be sufficient for a grocery store bakery, but the meat department of a grocery store would require a much larger unit. Restaurant grease traps are usually sized according to the number of seats. Local building codes and wastewater treatment systems may have grease trap ordinances that require minimum sizes for grease traps, periodic cleaning, and inspections.

Large amounts of grease can cause trouble in systems and pipes. Problems caused by grease and oil from restaurants cause establishments to have blockages and back-ups. It decreases the pipes capacity and requires pipes to be cleaned more often and/or replacement of pipes sooner than expected.

If your establishment uses oil or grease in food preparation, you will eventually have problems with your pipes backing up. This back up can cause sewer back up which will lead to a health problem to your establishment. You will have to pay for the removal of the blockage if the problem is in your buildings sewer line. If the blockage is in the public sewer main and your establishment is proven to be the cause of the blockage, then you will have to pay for the public sewer to be maintained.

Having a conventional grease trap installed in your facility can only benefit your establishment and helps the public sewer system stay clean. Call Jerry's Plumbing, Heating & Welding for more details.