Failing to clear a grease trap will eventually result in it filling up to the point where FOG is forced down into the sewer line, which may cause clogging and backups in the restaurant or business.

Grease traps are essentially boxes (or huge tanks) filled with water. There’s usually at least one wall inside the grease trap with a pipe going through it. The pipe in the wall inside the grease trap tank allows uncontaminated water to pass through to the other side of the tank and down the sewer.

FOG in a grease trap separates, with the lighter-than-water grease and oil floating to the top and the heavier food debris sinking to the bottom. Suspended in the middle will be the normal water that’s safe for the sewer. The “crossover” pipe in the grease trap’s dividing wall is positioned in the middle to allow the uncontaminated water to pass through and onto the chamber that has the pipe that connects to the sewer line.

The FOG that collects in that first chamber of the grease trap is literally trapped in there until Southern Green Industries or another grease trap service company comes and removes it. If the grease trap is never cleaned, the FOG on the bottom and top of the trap will eventually pile up until they reach the crossover pipe and eventually the sewer.

It’s imperative that pileup doesn’t happen, both for your grease trap and sewer’s sake. While many businesses are good about scheduling regular grease trap cleanings, others aren’t. That’s why many municipalities in Georgia have water management divisions with strict regulations and inspection schedules. When the water management inspectors come to your business, they will check your grease trap levels for themselves and expect to see your grease trap cleaning manifests to confirm you are having the required number and frequency of grease trap cleanings performed by a licensed company like Southern Green Industries.

Proper Grease Trap Sizing

The frequency of grease trap cleaning will be based largely on the size of your grease trap and the volume of FOG that is sent down your business’s drains. Businesses and cafeterias with large grease traps may need less frequent cleaning simply because it takes so much longer for their grease traps to fill up with FOG.

Municipalities may require different grease trap cleaning schedules be maintained depending on the size and number of grease traps a business has. The city of Atlanta has an ordinance (§ 154-297.03.) that requires indoor grease traps to be cleaned at intervals of no less than once every 14 days, while outdoor grease traps (which are much larger) must be cleaned no less than once every 90 days. They must also adhere to the 25 percent rule.

If the bottom layer of food particles (settled sludge layer) and the top layer of floating FOG take up more than 25 percent of the total depth of water within the grease trap, the grease trap is violating the 25 percent rule. The 25 percent rule means even businesses with large outdoor grease traps may be required to clean far more often than every 90 days.

Grease Trap Inspections

Atlanta businesses, as well as businesses in other Georgia cities and municipalities with similar ordinances, must contend with regular inspections of their grease traps. The ordinance states that the city will perform inspections at the “frequencies necessary to protect the capacity of the sewer system.” Businesses with small diameter public sewer systems (8-, 10- or 12-inch sewer systems) can expect to be inspected at least three times per year.

During this inspection, a city official will come out and measure the depth of your top FOG layer and settled sludge layer to determine whether you’re in compliance with the 25 percent rule. They’ll also want to see your grease trap cleaning manifests (which Southern Green Industries provides in multiple formats to every grease trap cleaning client) to ensure you are complying with the mandatory scheduling (14-days or 90-days, depending on your grease trap setup).

Steps To Cleaning A Grease Trap

Cleaning a grease trap is a crucial task to prevent clogs and backups in your restaurant or business. Here are some steps to follow when cleaning a grease trap:

1. Start by turning off the water supply to ensure a safe and controlled cleaning process.
   
   
2. Remove the grease trap lid using appropriate tools and place it aside.
   
   
3. Carefully scoop out the accumulated grease and debris from the trap, ensuring proper containment to avoid spills or odors.
   
   
4. After removing the bulk of the waste, it's time to clean the trap using a grease trap cleaning solution. Follow the manufacturer's instructions, allowing the solution to sit for the recommended time to dissolve any remaining grease and residue.
   
   
5. Rinse the trap thoroughly with warm water to ensure all cleaning solution and debris are flushed away. Reassemble the lid and turn the water supply back on.

While cleaning a grease trap yourself is an option, it is often best to entrust this task to a professional grease trap cleaning company like Southern Green Industries in Atlanta, Georgia. Professionals have the knowledge, experience, and specialized equipment to efficiently clean grease traps and ensure compliance with local regulations. By choosing a professional service, you can save time and effort while ensuring that your grease trap is properly maintained.