How to Clean a Grease Trap, Part Two

Freedom Septic Service offers professional-grade grease trap cleaning to help your business run at optimal efficiency and keep up to code. However, regular self-cleanings can help to cut down on the frequency of professional tune-ups. So, we’ve put together a foolproof guide in how to clean your grease trap yourself, between professional cleanings.

First, carefully remove the lid from your grease trap with a pry bar. Be very gentle with this process, as there are gaskets on the top of the trap that are virtually impossible to repair and costly to replace.

After the lid is off, observe the trap. Each trap is a little different and an effective cleaning will require you to remove parts and put them back after you’re done.

Next, use a skimmer, ladle, or small bucket, to remove the grease from the surface of the water in the trap. Before actually removing any grease, use a wooden dowel to gently touch the bottom of the trap and remove it. The grease line left on the dowel will let you know about how much grease to skim off of the surface.

Fourth, remove the rest of the water from the trap in a separate bucket. Do not mix the grease and water. Then, remove the solid mass of grease and oil into a sealable container. Wipe out the bottom of the trap and also put this into the sealable container.

Next you’ll have to clean the inside and the outside of the grease trap with soap and water. Use a rag and a soft steel scrubber, but do not use a degreaser.

Finally, put all of the components back into the grease trap, exactly as they were before. Be sure to record the date and time of the cleaning and keep those records for inspections and your own peace of mind.

And when you’re ready for a professional-grade cleaning, contact Freedom Septic Service. We’re happy to help!

Source: http://www.rockvillemd.gov/index.aspx?NID=1536