Grease Interceptor Repair

grease trap maintenance and cleaning in long beach

Effective and Professional

Grease INterceptor RepairService

Grease interceptors are similar devices like a grease trap, but with a larger holding capacity, the capability of dealing with a larger amount of water flow. The device has two main components – the baffled structured trap with two compartments – primary & secondary, and a sludge tank. They follow the same principle of density and weight. Grease is less dense than water, and solids are heavier than the other two elements in the interceptor. So when wastewater gets slowed down by the baffling structure of the trap, and grease gets harder; they separate themselves into three layers. Less dense grease floats on top of the water in the top layer, heavier solids remain in the bottom and get stored in the sludge tank. Water stays in the middle layer, and after a particular time, gets allowed to leave the trap through a pipe to the drainage system.
There is no difference between a grease interceptor and a grease trap in the way they operate themselves. But there are few differences in their appearance, and capability to work (as mentioned earlier). Grease traps work well in smaller establishments that flush down less wastewater every minute and fit easily under any sink. But a grease interceptor was designed for larger businesses and has to be placed outside the building, usually in the parking lot or underground. Grease interceptors can handle more water flow (more than 50 gallons per minute). They have a larger holding capacity as well and can hold up to 2,000 to over 10,000 gallons of sludge in their tank which is way more than any grease trap. For their large holding capacity, grease interceptors require less cleaning operation than a grease trap. Cleaning a grease interceptor once every three months is fine, while a grease trap has to be cleaned every month or two.

Importance Of Grease Interceptor Maintenance

Maintenance of a grease interceptor is very important for businesses that rely heavily on their commercial kitchen. If FOGS are left untreated they can cause different plumbing issues such as sewer backups and overflows resulting in expensive plumbing repairs. FOG – gets hardened when cold, and if they are allowed to enter the city drainage system, they can create messy clogs, and can even ruin the city water supply system if allowed to reach there. So, it is obligatory to use a grease trap or interceptor. (Depending on the size of the kitchen, Call us to know which device, your business require)

CAUTIONS!

Installing a grease interceptor (or trap) isn’t enough, it is also important (and ordinated mandatory by the state law) to maintain and clean this device whenever necessary. Otherwise, they won’t work effectively, and over time there will be a system failure of these complicated devices. You must also focus on inspecting your grease interceptor on regular basis to check if it needs repairs. There are issues you may encounter that require emergency grease interceptor repair service. Here are some of those –

Full Trap: This issue may occur if you don’t clean your grease interceptor on time. When there is more than 25% FOG content in your device, grease begins to leak into the sewerage system, and creates clogs/blockage in the pipeline causing sewer backups, and overflows.

Clog in the Crossover Pipe: There are three main pipes in a grease interceptor (just like a grease interceptor). They are – inlet pipe, outlet pipe, and crossover pipe. Wastewater enters the primary component through the inlet pipe where they are allowed to slow down, Then the crossover pipe, which connects the two compartments, takes the water into the secondary compartment. The device is designed to restrict FOGS in the primary compartment. But when there is too much grease in the first compartment, the device fails to work effectively and some FOG may reach the crossover pipe causing clogs. This requires an emergency professional grease interceptor repair service.

Clog in the Outlet Pipe: Lack of grease interceptor cleaning & pumping and cause clogs in the outlet pipe as well in a similar way. This usually happens from overflows in both of the compartments (primary & secondary). This means System failure, and you should get a professional grease interceptor repair service immediately.