Grease trap service removes the fats, oils and grease (FOG) that collect in a restaurant's grease trap or interceptor before they reach the sewer. Regular pumping and cleaning prevents kitchen drain backups, odors and fines, and most cities set a required cleaning schedule and keep records.
Call for Same Day Service (833) 763-0420Small under-sink grease traps need frequent cleaning, often weekly or more. Large in-ground interceptors are pumped on a schedule set by how full they get and by local rules.
Many cities limit how full a trap can get before it must be pumped, and require businesses to keep maintenance records for inspections.
Signs a Grease Trap Needs Service
A grease trap that needs service usually makes itself known in the kitchen: slow drains, a bad smell near the trap or, in the worst case, grease overflowing onto the floor.
- Slow kitchen drains
- Foul odors near the trap
- Grease overflowing from the trap
- An upcoming health or FOG inspection
Grease Trap or Grease Interceptor?
A grease trap is a small unit, usually under or near a sink, that needs frequent cleaning, often weekly or more. A grease interceptor is a large tank, often buried outside, that's pumped on a schedule. Both work the same way: wastewater slows down, grease floats to the top and solids sink, so only the middle layer flows on to the sewer. The more grease and solids build up, the less time the water spends separating, which is why an overdue trap starts passing grease into the line.
What Grease Trap Service Includes
Service starts by measuring how much grease and solids have built up. The trap is then pumped and cleaned, its baffles checked, and the downstream line jetted if needed.
- Inspect and measure the grease and solids layers.
- Pump and clean the trap or interceptor.
- Check the baffles and outlet, and jet the downstream lines if needed.
- Document the service for your records.
What Affects the Cost of Grease Trap Service
Trap size and how long it has gone since the last service are what decide most of the cost.
- Trap or interceptor size.
- How full it is and how long since the last service.
- Jetting downstream lines.
- Baffle or outlet repairs.
When a Grease Trap Problem Is an Emergency
- The trap is overflowing in the kitchen.
- Kitchen drains are backing up during service.
Grease Trap Rules Are Set Locally
Cleaning schedules and record-keeping rules for grease traps are set by each city's sewer authority, not by a national standard. Many cities set a maximum fill level before pumping is required and ask businesses to keep service records for inspections. Check your local sewer authority's rules and keep every service ticket.
Before the Plumber Arrives
- The location and size of the trap.
- Your last service date and any inspection notices.
Grease Trap Service is one part of commercial plumbing & backflow.
Other Commercial Plumbing & Backflow Services
Grease Trap Questions
How often should a grease trap be cleaned?
It depends on its size and how much your kitchen produces. A common rule is cleaning before grease and solids fill about a quarter of the trap's depth. Your city may set its own requirement.
Can a grease trap cause sewer backups?
Yes. A full or neglected grease trap is one of the most common causes of commercial kitchen drain backups.