Proper grease trap maintenance should never be neglected, as clogged up grease traps can cause serious problems, not only to your establishment but to the community as a whole. That’s why it is vital to have a grease trap audit and maintenance performed frequently.
Regular grease trap cleaning and an occasional grease trap repair is a must if you want to keep your surroundings sanitary and safe from harmful gas buildup and grease overflow.
Take a look at some of the most important things your typical grease trap audit entails so that you can know what to look out for:
Capacity
During a grease trap audit, the inspector will check whether the size of the trap is suitable for your establishment. Too small, and all the fats, oils, and grease will enter the sewer system. Too big, and it allows for the creation of hydrogen sulfide, which can convert into hydrochloric acid and damage metal and concrete structures downstream.
Air Intake
Your flow-control valve must be properly vented to maintain adequate pressure. Without proper ventilation, a vacuum can be created which will force the water to enter the trap too quickly. Any grease trap repair service can help you with your trap ventilation.
Accessibility
Regardless of where your grease trap is located, it must be easily accessible for inspection and cleaning.
Without proper clearance, inspectors cannot check the functionality during the grease trap audit, and any grease trap repair will prove to be either impossible or will entail additional work that will end up costing much more than you’d planned.
Damages
You might have to pay a hefty fine if an inspector notices any cracks or damages in any part of your grease trap. Damages can cause grease, fats, and oils to escape to the sewage system and seriously harm your business and the surrounding area. As soon as you notice any cracks, contact a grease repair service.
Water Tightness
All underground storage structures must be water-tight, and that includes grease interceptors. Interceptors are designed to keep the contents contained until they exit through a proper outlet, and if they’re not water-tight, groundwater could infiltrate it, or grease, fats, and oils could escape into the groundwater and public sewers.
There should be no cracks visible, and the lid must be tight-fitting to avoid any leakage.
Other Factors
There are a few more things that inspectors look into during their grease trap audit, and one of them is the flow-control valve. These valves control the flow of wastewater into the grease trap, and they ensure that the system is not overloaded if there’s a sudden surge from the sink.
You should make sure that the garbage disposal doesn’t enter into the grease trap. Food scraps could clog the trap, decay, and cause unsanitary conditions and create unpleasant odors. Your grease trap should never serve toilets or other sanitary systems.
A grease trap audit will be a breeze when you know what to expect. Additionally, regular grease trap cleaning will ensure that you notice any potential problems as soon as they arise. If you ever do notice an issue, instead of trying to fix it yourself and cause additional damages, it’s best to call grease trap repair services, such as A-1 Tank, and make sure the job is done properly.