The Procedure to Cleaning a Septic Grease Trap
One of the easiest ways to clog one or more drains in the home is to pour grease down a sink. Oily substances, including grease and fat, solidify when they cool. The cooling process occurs when the oily substance sits in the pipes.
These substances cling to the walls of the pipes. Every time a person pours grease down the drain, more accumulates on the walls of the pipes. This leads to a blockage. In addition, the buildup will put off a foul smell, and water may begin backing up into the home. To prevent this from happening, install a grease trap.
What is a Grease Trap?
Grease traps, often referred to as grease interceptors, are a component of the plumbing system. They work to stop grease, fat, and oily substances from making their way into a septic tank. If these substances enter the septic tank, they solidify. This interferes with the process of waste material degradation and filtering. When this happens, the owner of the tank will have plumbing issues.
The septic tank will fill as it cannot break down the waste material and filter it. Sludge then makes its way back into the building through the toilets and drains, much as it does when a municipal sewer line backs up. The odor that fills the building can be overwhelming. This doesn't even take into account the health issues that can arise following exposure to raw sewage.
To prevent this from happening, people need to make cleaning a grease trap a priority if they have a septic tank. What does this process involve? How often should it be done?
Grease Traps and How They Work
Animal fats and grease aren't as dense as water. In addition, they don't mix with water. When fats and oils come into contact with water, they actually float on top of the water. Wastewater enters a grease trap at a reduced flow rate. This allows the wastewater to cool and separate into different layers.
The grease forms the top layer, which is then trapped by a system of baffles. Any solids present in the wastewater mixture make their way to the bottom, while the clear water makes its way out of the trap through an outlet baffle. Today, manufacturers make many grease traps with a strainer that collects solid debris. This means fewer solids fall to the bottom of the trap.
This grease trap must be cleaned regularly, as the solids and grease accumulate in the device. Cleaning the grease trap prevents the solids and grease from making their way through the outlet and clogging the inlet. Every person with a septic tank needs to set up regular cleanings of the grease trap to prevent this from happening.
Types of Grease Traps
Passive mechanical grease traps are manual traps. They remain the most common traps today, as they come at a low purchase price. A person chooses from several sizes, so they can be installed under a sink in a home or accommodate a facility that produces a significant volume of wastewater.
The first manual grease trap was patented in the United States in 1885. The grease interceptors used today still use the same basic design because they are very effective. Most models are made of either stainless steel or plastic. The owner must manually clean this grease trap regularly to prevent blockages and other problems.
An automatic grease removal unit or AGRU is similar in some ways to a passive mechanical grease trap. However, it differs from the manual device in that the unit reheats and skims out the fats, oils, and greases according to a programmed schedule. Once these items are removed from the grease trap, they are transferred to a collector bin where they are stored. When enough fats, oils, and grease are in the bin, they are removed and recycled.
The owner must monitor the programmed schedule to ensure the fats, oils, and grease are removed in a timely manner. This depends on the current level of usage. As with manual grease traps, automatic grease removal units come in a range of sizes. While they do have a higher price tag at the time of purchase, these automatic devices are more efficient and ownership costs are lower over the life of the unit.
Major establishments need to invest in one or more gravity grease traps. These large tanks are placed in the ground, so they are made using steel, fiberglass, or concrete. They are similar in many ways to a passive mechanical grease trap. However, they are much larger, so they can hold more fats, oils, and grease. A grease management service company handles cleaning the grease trap when this type is selected.
Cleaning the Grease Trap
Cleaning the grease trap isn't an easy process. However, it must be done to prevent issues. Schedule a cleaning today to ensure problems don't arise with the grease trap or the septic system.
To access the grease trap, the cover must be detached. This requires the use of a crowbar or another tool. Care must be taken when removing this cover to ensure the gaskets under the trap's lid aren't damaged.
Once the cover has been removed, the components must be moved to ensure clear access to the container. The plumber then takes a measuring stick and puts it into the container until it reaches the bottom. This allows them to measure how much fat and grease is present in the trap. They record this information so they can refer back to it in the future.
The plumber uses a bucket to remove the liquid contents of the trap. They then transfer any solid wastes present in the trap to a leak-proof container. The plumber will dispose of the contents of this container using approved methods. Before reassembling the grease trap, the plumber cleans it with soap and water.
Never put off cleaning the grease trap. Doing so could lead to the need for a major repair. Regular cleanings keep the septic tank in good working order. Schedule a grease trap cleaning today to ensure this device works as intended.
