AC Installation Español
Menu
What is a Grease Trap?
Book Now
Book Now
Blog 11/26/18

What is a Grease Trap?

Grease traps, or grease interceptors, are plumbing systems designed to prevent fats, oils and grease buildup, as well as other solids from entering the cities public sewer system where they could accumulate over time eventually causing major city drain blockages.

Who Has a Grease Trap?

All businesses, typically restaurants and coffee shops, that have a three compartment sink for dishwashing and use dairy products, must install commercial grease traps. Grease traps also have to be installed if any business has a deep fryer or uses cooking oil to prepare their dishes.

In deli’s, restaurants, coffee houses, or any business that uses a deep fryer in their food preparation, the grease can accumulate on the floor over time. When the floor is mopped, businesses utilize floor drains for cleaning purposes and the grease gets washed into the drains. Without a grease trap, that can go into city sewer systems and create massive problems.

When Was the Grease Trap Invented?

Grease traps have been used since London’s Victorian Era in more affluent areas. In the late 1800’s, Nathaniel Whiting of California created the first patent for the grease trap. While the basic technology of the grease trap has remained unchanged, the regulations across the nation and in other countries have been varied through the grease trap’s history. They have become more stringent across major cities in the United States because of the damage to city sewer systems caused by Fats, Oils and Grease buildup, commonly referred to as FOG’s.

What Happens When Grease Enters the City Sewer System?

A great example of the consequences of fats, grease, and oil going into sty drainage systems can be seen in the United Kingdom. The Metro.co.uk reported on the largest known fatberg discovery in the London sewer systems found in 2017. It was 250 meters long (800 feet for non-metric countries) and weighed around 130 tons. To put into perspective, the fatberg spanned a length as great as the Tower Bridge in London, and weighed as much as 19 elephants according to the Guardian

The London Fatberg was one of many found through the London sewer systems. The infrastructure was old, and not equipped to handle the amount of waste product when mixed with the congealed fat. The discovery of the fatberg was in an area with mostly pubs and local restaurants, the variety that serve mostly fried food.

But it is not just the fats alone that create the monstrous issue. When fats, dairy, grease and oil go into the sewer systems, they become solids again and congeal sticking to the interiors of the pipes. Normal waste is also being delivered into the sewer systems and compounding with the congealed fats creating the blockage. When the London city workers “autopsied” the fatberg in 2017, they also found excessive amounts of so-called flushable wipes and other materials that should never be put into the drains.

London city crew worked for more than three weeks breaking up and removing the massive fatberg, while increasing sewer inspections, as many have been found through the years in the sewer system.

There have been many instances of fatbergs appearing in American cities, as well.

In 2017, USA Today reported Baltimore City Public Works discovered a fatberg in the public sewer system that caused an overflow of more than 1 million gallons of sewage into the Maryland stream, despite dry weather. 

Although these are excessive examples of what grease buildup can do to sewer systems, even small amounts cause routine backups across the nation in kitchen sinks and main sewer lines. It is important for homeowners and businesses to take all precautions when disposing of cooking grease, oils, and fats, and to never put materials not meant for drain into the drain system. This includes products claiming to be flushable.

What Happens to FOG’s form Fatbergs?

Depending on which article you land on across the internet, the surprising, and sometimes disgusting, ways in which the contents of fatbergs have been recycled or used is vast. However, Canadian researchers have been working on turning these fatbergs into biofuel sources. This is not new, many teams of scientists have been working on this method of waste, but according to a recent Smithsonian article, an engineering researcher form the University of British Colombia talks about how this method can be done within the sewer system or places of the fatbergs. It requires precise heating and chemical processes, but could potentially turn the fatbergs into a usable fuel source. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/turning-fatbergs-biofuel-180970049/

How Does a Grease Trap Work?

shutterstock_635080619

A grease interceptor can be installed above ground or underground, inside of the building or outside. There are different types depending on usage needs. Grease traps must meet standards across several public departments. Grease traps are regulated by not only the city plumbing department but also the health department and food administration. Grease traps must be sized properly to meet the current use demands as well as future demands and depends on the amount of plates served as well as the size of the 3-compartment sink, dishwasher, pots, pans, and mop sinks. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) set the standards for the majority of grease interceptors in the United States.  

A grease trap is a large container that the interceptor drain runs into. They are bypass drains that do not connect to any other system and do not drain into the city sewer system. Grease traps must be cleaned out by the proper authorities and disposed of according to waste standards.

Inside of the most common grease trap, there is a thing called a baffle, which is like a wall. It is a metal operator that allows for a large amount of water intake and keeps the clean water at the bottom and allows for the grease, oils, fats and other liquid waste to float to the top and be cleaned out leaving clear water safe to go into the sanitary waste system. 

How Long Do Grease Traps Last and How Much Do They Cost?

Grease interceptors’ cost can range greatly. Because installation often requires several public works authorities, costs can also change at any point in the duration of cost estimation and installation. It is best to work with a reputable and licensed contractor with experience in grease traps. They can last up to 20 years, but can also be damaged in the cleaning process that o can happen at any time. If the interior of the trap is scratched or dented, or the baffle wall is dislodged, the grease trap will be ineffective and will have to be replaced.

Depending on the restaurant location, installing a grease trap can be challenging as it may require several public authorities to be involved in the process and city sign off. Many older locations can pose difficulty in replacing grease traps, as they are located underground inside of the building. It can require not just the plumbing work to be done, but flooring and depending on the size, heavy crane work. Many new installations of grease traps are being installed outside of the building making it a much easier process to clean, maintain, and replace.

Whether you are in need of a new grease trap, have questions on maintaining your grease trap or are just curious about how grease, fats, and oils affect drainage systems, the experts at Bill Howe have you covered. Contact us online, by phone, or stop by in person for all of your drain needs.

Call 1-800 BILL HOWE (245-5469) to request more information and to start your grease trap installation process.  

Comments

Leave a Reply

Related Posts

how to fix a running toilet
Blog

How to Fix a Running Toilet

If  your toilet won’t stop running, you will unfortunately end up with a larger water bill than expected. However, it’s easy to learn how to fix a running toilet and take care of the...

2 weeks ago Share Icon
Read More

What David says about us

Service for new garbage disposal. My ancient garbage disposal quit working, went online to get Bill Howe’s number, immediately received and accepted chat to describe my needs. Prompt call back to schedule an appointment, service tech Allen was out same morning, which was important to fit my work schedule. Job estimate was clear, work done fully to my expectations, area left clean, and price was very fair.
I was not surprised — I have used Bill Howe plumbers for several other tasks in the past. I have always found their staff to be helpful, attentive, and the plumbers very courteous and capable.

January 2020

Plumbing

What Michelle says about us

I have been using Bill Howe since the late 1980’s, their service has always been excellent, plumbing, heating and restoration. I am most impressed by the integrity of their employees, not only do they know their work/skill, they do not waste time, they are so efficient, they are so helpful and they are a true “service”!

February 2020

Plumbing

What Mira says about us

Bill Howe never fails us! We had a drain overflow, and Scott came (on a Saturday) to look at it and offer solution. He was punctual, professional, and extremely helpful. I should also praise the main office for always being helpful and always finding solutions. Very grateful to have you in San Diego!

February 2020

Restoration & Flood

What Ed Gohlich says about us

Cory was our technician on this job. We had a time sensitive repair issue and Bill Howe understood and assisted with getting the job done quickly.
Cory was on time to start the job and finished it quickly. Upon his leaving our home he’s was courteous, very knowledgeable, explaining what the problem was and how he fixed it. Very good communication and this is the way it’s has always been when we use Bill Howe plumbing.
Great company to work with.
Thanks Cory.
Ed

August 2019

Heating & Cooling

What Eric says about us

I had a shower that would not drain. The employee arrived on time and fixed the problem quickly and effectively at a very fair price. I was very happy with everything. Thank you and I highly recommend your plumbing service.

January 2019

Plumbing

What Bridgett says about us

I am extremely happy with the service we received from Bill Howe Plumbing. We were given an incorrect diagnosis of our main sewer line from another vendor, but Bill Howe’s servicemen came out for a second opinion, correctly diagnosed our problem and resolved our back up issues. We will continue to use Bill Howe for all our future plumbing needs!

Thank you Bill Howe Plumbing.

July 2019

Plumbing