Fatbergs are a sewage nightmare that has haunted residential and commercial plumbing for over a decade in countries worldwide, including the United States. More people are moving to Georgia, which means more stress on already fragile sewer systems in cities like Atlanta. Everyone in Georgia has a responsibility to avoid flushing or draining things into our sewer that lead to the creation and growth of fatbergs.

What Is a Fatberg?

“Fatberg,” an addition to the Oxford English dictionary in 2015, is a term that refers to the build-up of fat, oils and grease that have been poured down the drain and congealed around non-biodegradable materials that are flushed down toilets.

Examples of non-biodegradable waste that should never be flushed or poured down a drain:

• Fats, oils and grease (FOG)
• Flushable wipes (they might claim to be safe for pipes, but they are not actually “flushable”)
• Sanitary products
• Paper towels
• Diapers
• Cleaning wipes
• Band-Aids
• Q-tips or cotton balls
• Dental floss

How Do Fatbergs Form?

If any amount of FOG makes its way down the drain and into the sewage system, it will eventually cool and stick to the walls of pipes. It’s that build-up of fat that acts as a magnet for anything else that passes through the pipes that cannot break down. “Flushable” wipes are usually the first to attach themselves, creating a mass of materials that block a sewage system or septic tank.

Fatbergs can form at any time in any pipe, and they are not biased toward your city's main sewage lines. Fatbergs can occur beneath your home or business and lead to extremely unpleasant consequences for you and your neighbors, including sewage backups.

Once They Form, How Do You Get Rid of Fatbergs?

Fatbergs are often undetected until a blockage or overflow occurs. Removing fatbergs, especially the big ones, is no easy task. They must be professionally cleared out using powerful tools such as high-pressured jets, hoses or shovels. With the right equipment, fatbergs can be broken up into smaller clumps that can be more easily removed from the pipes.

Fatbergs can be found in sewage systems connected to:

• Homes
• Businesses
• Restaurants
• Hotels
• Fast food chains
• And more

Can Fatbergs Be Prevented?

Knowledge and prevention are the best way to deal with fatbergs. People need to understand what not to put down the drain, so these blockages never form in the first place.

Now that we know what a fatberg is and what causes them, we can minimize the stress we put on Georgia’s sewage systems by disposing of non-biodegradable waste into the trash.

Food service businesses in Georgia are often key players in the war against fatbergs. They can either be good actors or bad actors depending on their grease trap cleaning and maintenance habits. The best thing you can do as a business owner is stay on top of your grease trap cleaning and do more than the bear minimum to prevent buildup.

Grease traps catch food particles, oils and grease that go down sinks or dishwasher drains. FOG collects in the grease trap until it's emptied and disposed of properly by a company like Southern Green Industries.

Keeping a grease trap clean prevents blockage, which is good for everyone. It also prevents unpleasant odors, which is especially good for your business.

Restaurant owners in Atlanta are already familiar with grease trap cleaning requirements thanks to regular municipal inspections. You can do more than just meet the minimum necessary compliance requirements. Scheduling regular cleanings with environmentally responsible grease trap cleaning companies can ensure you are part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Southern Green Industries helps business owners in Atlanta and across the state of Georgia stay on top of their grease trap cleaning and fryer oil recycling.

Grease Trap Cleaning and Fryer Oil Recycling Services in Georgia

If you run a local restaurant or business, Southern Green Industries can clean your kitchen’s grease trap(s).

Call Southern Green at (404) 419-6887 for all your grease trap cleaning and fryer oil recycling needs.