Cleaning Your Grease Trap

A grease trap is something in your kitchen that does not receive much thought, but it is a very critical part of the space. When you rinse things in the sink, fats, oils and other solids all go down the drain. That water eventually flows back to the wastewater system. If those fats, oils and solids were to go into your sewage system, they would quickly build up and create blockages.

To keep that gunk out of your sewers, you have the grease trap. Since the grease trap is like a filter, you do have to clean it periodically to keep it working its best.

If you are not sure how frequently you need to clean the grease trap, we have put together some tips on recognizing when it needs maintenance.

Signs Your Grease Trap Needs Cleaning

When you know the signs that it is time to clean the grease trap, you can keep it in working order. If your grease trap breaks, it can cause a big mess and other problems for your sewage system. Some people even have to stop using their kitchens when their grease trap fails.

If you notice these in your kitchen, it may be time to give your grease trap a good cleaning:

• Odor: If you sense an unpleasant smell from your sink's drain, it could mean your grease trap is getting a little too full. Once you clean it out, your kitchen sink will lose that stinky smell.

• Extra oil: This is the least obvious sign you will see. You will have to look a little closer around and inside the drain to see if any excess oil and greasy gunk is built up around the grease trap.

• Slow drainage: Does your sink drain too slowly? While a clog in the pipe may be your first guess, it could also be the grease trap.

When you know how to recognize these signs, you can clean out the grease trap and keep using your kitchen sink without any worries.

Tips for Grease Trap Service

If you notice any of these signs, do not worry too much. Cleaning the grease trap is an easy thing you can do yourself that has positive effects on your home's plumbing. We recommend wearing a mask, heavy rubber gloves and some protective clothing when cleaning the grease trap. It can be a messy job.

First, carefully remove the lid and make a note of where the different pieces fit in. If you remove any of the pieces to clean it, you need to be able to reassemble everything properly. Take out any standing water from the tank, and then scoop out the grease and gunk inside with a small bucket. Transfer it to a safe container for disposal, like a heavy-duty garbage bag. For a really thorough clean, use a wet vacuum to get the last bits of grease, and clean the pieces of the trap with light soap and warm water.

Finally, put the trap back together. It is ideal to clean the grease trap about once per month.

If you have any issues with your grease trap or any other plumbing system in your home, get in touch with Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Oneida. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you or to schedule an inspection.