A grease trap is an essential plumbing device found in restaurants and food service industry kitchens. It helps run your busy kitchen smoothly, keeps your work surface and sink clean and free of grease, but most importantly, it keeps the odors at bay, and away from hungry customers.
Grease traps prevent oil and fat from making their way to Winnipeg’s sewer system. The trap holds on to hot greasy water until it cools down, and then grease floats on top of the trap. Naturally, regular cleaning is necessary to prevent grease build up and ensure you aren’t left with a plumbing emergency.
Where is My Grease Trap Located?
Commercial grease traps can be located outside of your establishment, on the ground near the wall where your dishwasher is located – it looks similar to a manhole or a septic tank cover.
If your kitchen has a basement, it could also be the case that your grease trap is located in the basement, to avoid frost from cold Winnipeg winters.
How Often Should I Be Cleaning My Grease Trap?
The general rule of thumb is that you should be cleaning your grease trap every 2 to 3 months to avoid build up. However, depending on how busy your kitchen is and its food production, your cleaning schedule may vary.
Do I Need A Professional’s Help?
Here are some sure signs that you should call an expert from We Love Plumbing.
- The grease trap is frequently getting backed up
- A smell coming out of your sink
- Your sink is draining slowly
- Grease is flowing back into the sink
Our experts will be able to diagnose the issue, clean the tank for you, and provide instructions on how to take care of your grease trap, as well as advise how often you should be cleaning it to avoid future issues.
During the diagnosis, there may be a possibility that your grease trap is due for a replacement if the trap is eroding, or if it’s not effective at blocking the grease.
We know restaurants are busy, which is why We Love Plumbing has flexible hours. Our plumbers can work around your hours of operation and get the job done before the next breakfast, lunch or dinner rush. We are also available 24/7 for any plumbing emergency in the Winnipeg area. Give us a call and let’s get your grease trap cleaned!