The Drain Brain is the premier Ithaca plumbing services with both residential and commercial customers who rely on our expertise, professionalism, and knowledge.

Grease traps are the bane of both restaurants and private residences when they are clogged or ill maintained.  The resultant damage from clogged pipes and water back up can be expensive and cause down time in a commercial kitchen.

As a plumber in Ithaca who works with commercial restaurants, we’d like to give you some major tips on how to protect your septic or sewer lines, and obviously your business.  As issues relating to grease traps can be prevented, this information should be posted in your kitchen area for all employees to heed.

Grease Trap Cleaning and Maintenance

Best Management Practices for Commercial Food and Restaurant Facilities

• Train kitchen staff and other employees about how they can help ensure BMPs are implemented.

Reason: People are more willing to support an effort if they understand the basis for it.

Benefit: All of the subsequent benefits of BMPs will have a better chance of being implemented.

• Post “No Grease” signs above sinks and on the front of dishwashers.

Reason: Signs serve as a constant reminder for staff working in kitchens.

Benefit: This will help minimize grease discharge to traps/interceptors and reduce the cost of cleaning and disposal.

•   “Dry wipe” pots, pans, and dishware prior to dishwashing.

Reason: By dry-wiping and disposing in the garbage, the material will not be sent to grease traps.

Benefit: This will reduce the amount of material collected in the grease trap and interceptors, and will lessen cleaning and maintenance costs.

•   Dispose of food waste by recycling and/or solid waste removal.

Reason: To divert food wastes away from grease traps and interceptors.

Benefit: Recycling or solid waste disposal will reduce the frequency and cost of grease trap and interceptor cleaning.

•  Recycle waste cooking oil.

Reason: Cooking oil that ends up in grease traps will have to be pumped, costing businesses money.

Benefit: Some companies pay to haul used cooking oil and make it into new products.

•  Cover outdoor grease and oil storage containers.

Reason: Rainwater into open containers can cause an overflow onto the ground leading to stormwater collection systems, creeks, and streams.

Benefit: Avoidance of polluting streams, creeks and other water bodies.

•  Routinely clean kitchen exhaust system filters.

Reason: If grease and oil escape through the kitchen exhaust system, it can accumulate on exterior surfaces, eventually entering the storm drain system when it rains.

Benefit: Minimizes the chance of grease-related fires and the likelihood of grease entering nearby water bodies.

•  Do not pour grease down sinks or into toilets.

Reason: Grease poured into a toilet or sink can congeal, clogging sewer pipes and cause backups.

Benefit: Lower plumbing bills and no loss of business due to sewer backups.

•  Avoid or limit the use of garbage disposals.

Reason: Garbage disposals grind large food particles into small pieces. These pieces can fill up a grease trap causing backups or may require more frequent pump outs of the grease trap.

Benefit: No sewer backups and less money spent cleaning out the grease trap.

•  Clean interceptors with a capacity of 100 gallons or less weekly or more frequently if needed.             Reason: Weekly (or more frequent) cleaning of the grease trap by a facility’s own staff will reduce maintenance cost and lower the risk of backups.

Benefit: Cleaning under-sink grease traps frequently will reduce the frequency and cost of grease interceptor cleaning.

• Use a three-sink compartment dish washing system, including sinks for washing, rinsing, and sanitizing.

Reason: The three-sink system uses water less than 140ºF, whereas a mechanical dishwasher requires a minimum temperature of 160ºF.

Benefit: The facility will reduce energy costs for heating the water and operating the dishwasher. (Source: SAWS)

The Drain Brain in Ithaca

Our expertise in residential and commercial properties is second to none.  We employ dedicated professionals who know the value of customer service, education, and mitigating damages as quickly as possible in the event of a disaster.

Plumbing systems work smoothly when all is well and we take them for granted.  But when something goes wrong, your whole house or business grinds to a halt.  Grease traps are just one of the items that needs regular care and maintenance.

Whether your restaurant is following proper protocol and just needs us to take a quick look to confirm all is well, or you are all ready experiencing some issues, call us immediately for a prompt and effective evaluation.