SERVICES
Grease Traps
Lightning Clear Plumbing has the experience to install all types of Grease Traps in many different property layouts. Lightning Clear Plumbing has specialized skills in installing grease traps from below ground, above ground, on the top of buildings to others that are just behind the kitchen. We are able to work out the best possible way for a Grease Trap to be installed at your business.
What does a grease trap do?
A grease trap protects your sewer and saves you money. Fat, oil and grease hardens as it cools and sticks to the inner lining of sewer pipes, eventually causing a blockage. By preventing grease from going down your authorities drain, you won’t have to spend money:
⦁ Cleaning and disinfecting after sewer backup,
⦁ Hiring a contractor to clean the build-up from your sewer,
⦁ Repairing or replacing your sewer pipe if the blockage is severe.
How does a grease trap work?
Wastewater enters the grease trap from your sinks and dishwashers.
The water cools and the grease and oil harden and float to the top of the trap.
The rest of the wastewater flows through the trap and out the exit pipe to the sewer.
The grease, oil and fat remain in the trap.
What Businesses require a Grease Trap?
Mainly Cafe's, Restaurants, Bakeries, Take-away, Butcher's shops and various other food preparation businesses.
The main reason for complying with the Regulations is that your business will not be able to open unless the list of requirements regarding Grease Trap installations is met.
Most Council Authorities and the Health Department regulate that they are installed and inspected to meet their conditions.
What if my kitchen doesn't generate any grease and I don't use grease in my cooking? Do I still need a grease trap?
Yes. A grease trap not only collects grease, it removes fats and oils, such as:
fats from butter, margarine, shortening and mayonnaise
cooking oil
salad oil
grease from cooking or baking
Does a grease trap prevent blockages?
Blockages will occur if the trap is not cleaned often enough. A grease trap which is not cleaned will eventually clog.
Why should we maintain our grease traps?
To prevent the discharge of brown grease into waste streams. Grease mixed with cold water and sewage causes major clogs in sewer lines.
To prevent back-ups in your restaurant, causing huge costs in repairs and possibly lost business.
To prevent odour problems outside where customers park and in some cases inside the restaurant.
Will a food waste grinder affect my grease trap?
Yes. The ground up solids from food waste grinders settles to the bottom of the trap and take up room. The trap will clog up with grease more quickly and will need to be cleaned more frequently.
TIP! - A point of caution is that if you have a small Grease Trap and a large water usage then you may find that you have to have your Grease Trap pumped out regularly. As pump outs are over $200.00 each time, the cost of installing a larger system may be the most cost effective option. Deciding to install a Grease Trap at your business is not for those interested in being involved in this business for only a few years, but rather you are expecting be in this business for the long term. With this in mind, a bigger Grease Trap can be Cheaper. Something to consider.
What can I do to reduce the amount of grease and oil going to my grease trap?
Use dry paper towels or a spatula to wipe all grease and food waste from cookware into the garbage before washing in the sink or dishwasher.
Use strainers in your sinks to catch food waste. Empty the strainer into the garbage.
Put greasy foods in the garbage, not down the drain or in the food waste grinder.
Pour small amounts of cooking oil and grease into a container with a tightly sealed lid (e.g., coffee can, small ice cream pail) and once it hardens, put it out for regular garbage collection. Do not pour it down the drain.
What is the difference between a grease trap and a grease interceptor?
The both do the same thing – collect grease and prevent it from going through your private sewer service pipe into the City sewer. They differ only in size and location. Grease traps are fitted to the plumbing inside a facility, and grease interceptors are outside the facility a few feet under the ground and are very large.
How do I choose between a grease trap or grease interceptor?
At Lightning Clear Plumbing a licensed plumber can determine which of these devices is best suited for your facility. They will consider the volume and flow rate of wastewater from your sinks, dishwashers and mop sinks to determine proper sizing.
Can I have an above ground tank instead of an in-ground Grease Trap?
You can, but if the kitchen floor is lower than the top of the Grease Trap then in this case you will need a pump to push the water into the trap. The pumps are costly and sometimes the installation costs are very similar between an above ground and in-ground system. If gravity fall is not obtainable on a below ground system then Risers are available in various sizes.
What are the requirements regarding grease trap size and servicing frequency?
Grease Traps to the Australian standards have to meet specific legal and health requirements. The sizing is based on many factors with the most important factor being number of seats in your establishment.
The servicing frequency varies depending on the requirements of each Local government authorities. Typically indoor grease traps are serviced from 30-90 days. Outdoor grease traps are serviced a minimum of 90 days and a maximum of 180 days. Check with Local authorities to verify your facilities requirements.
Do I need to keep a maintenance logbook?
Yes. The maintenance log is a record of how often you clean the trap and how full it is each time. It is required under the Sewer By-law to ensure that maintenance is performed regularly. The by-law also requires that the maintenance records for the previous 12 months be available for inspection.
Call Lightning Clear Plumbing at 0429 813 991 for a free in-person evaluation
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Lightning Clear Plumbing provides professional tradesmen who are courteous and reliable, finish the job on time, clean up before they leave and, most importantly, listen to your needs. We cover most of Sydney, so don’t hesitate to get in touch.