Preventing backups in your commercial kitchen is critical for maintaining hygiene, compliance, and smooth operations. At Ameri-Clean Environmental Services, we understand that a proactive approach is the best way to avoid costly downtime and fines. Read on to discover four effective strategies to keep your system running efficiently, or contact us today for expert assistance.
4 Ways to Prevent Grease Trap Overflows
4 Ways to Prevent Grease Trap Overflows
Commit to a Consistent Cleaning Schedule
The most effective defense against overflows is maintaining a strict routine. Neglecting this leads to hardened FOG accumulation that reduces tank capacity and causes backups. We recommend a professional pump-out every one to three months, depending on your volume, to ensure your system remains compliant and fully functional.
Scrape Dishes Before Washing
Minimizing the amount of fats, oils, and grease entering your plumbing is a simple yet powerful preventive measure. Ensure your kitchen staff "dry wipes" all plates, cookware, and utensils into the trash before bringing them to the sink. This significantly reduces the solid waste load your grease trap must filter daily.
Install and Maintain Drain Strainers
Food solids are a major contributor to clogs and reduced trap efficiency. By installing mesh strainers on all prep sinks and dishwashing stations, you can capture debris before it enters your drainage system. Regularly cleaning these strainers prevents organic matter from settling in your trap and displacing water volume.
Schedule Routine Hydro-Jetting
While pumping removes waste from the trap, grease can still accumulate in the lines leading to and from the system. Our professional hydro-jetting services clear out stubborn residue and scale from your pipes. Integrating this deep cleaning into your maintenance plan helps maintain optimal flow and prevents upstream blockages.
By implementing these preventive measures, you protect your business from the disruption of unexpected overflows. At Ameri-Clean Environmental Services, we are dedicated to keeping your kitchen compliant and operational with top-tier grease trap services. If you need reliable Cleveland, Ohio, grease trap cleaning or a system inspection, reach out to us today to schedule your service.