3 Signs Your Restaurant’s Grease Trap Needs Maintenance
The grease trap is an important but often overlooked part of a restaurant kitchen. It’s connected to the wastewater disposal system and catches oil and grease to keep it from clogging pipes and sewer lines. When everything is working properly, most cooks probably don’t think much about the grease trap. However, it can start to display the following signals when grease trap maintenance is needed.
How to Tell When You Need Grease Trap Maintenance
1. Rotten Smell
As grease accumulates in the lines, bacteria grows and produces a smell. This shouldn’t be noticeable with small amounts of grease, but it gets more pungent when there is a lot of buildup. Foul odor can also occur due to food waste in the garbage or around cooking areas, so eliminate other potential causes before looking into the grease trap.
2. Slow Drains
The grease trap collects oil and fat that has gone down kitchen drains, so if too much grease accumulates, it backs up into the plumbing system. Over time, the grease will harden and form a clog. Any food particles that are washed down the sink will collect onto the grease, forming large and stubborn clogs. When this happens, the water will drain slowly.
3. Grease Buildup
When your grease trap is clogged, the extra grease needs to go somewhere else. If it doesn’t drain fully, it may leave residue in the sink or other kitchen surfaces like burners and countertops. A bit of grease from a recent spill is normal, but if you need to clean more than usual, it may be due to the inability for that grease to escape as intended.
If you need grease trap maintenance to address the above issues, contact Valley Proteins in Winchester, VA. The company collects oil and grease from restaurants and recycles it, offering solutions that are beneficial for businesses and the planet. In addition to cleaning, they also offer pumping, waste disposal, and preventive line jetting to keep equipment functioning at an optimal level. Visit the website for a full selection of grease trap maintenance services. To request assistance, call (800) 871-3406.