At Contemporary Plumbing, we understand that commercial kitchens operate under high demands, and managing grease buildup is a crucial part of keeping everything running smoothly. One of the most important plumbing installations in a restaurant is the grease trap.
Without it, grease and food waste can clog pipes, cause foul odours, and even lead to costly plumbing emergencies. As a trusted commercial Canberra plumber, we help restaurants maintain their grease traps to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and to prevent costly plumbing issues.
Key Takeaways
- Stops FOG (fats, oils, grease) from clogging pipes
- It avoids costly plumbing repairs
- Prevents bad smells & kitchen disruptions
- Helps meet health code & council regulations
- Protects the environment
- Needs cleaning every 1–3 months (or more often for busy kitchens)
What is a Grease Trap?
A grease trap, also known as a grease interceptor, is a plumbing device designed to capture fats, oils, and grease (FOG) before they enter the wastewater system. These substances are common byproducts of cooking and washing dishes, and when they cool down, they solidify and create blockages in the plumbing system. Over time, this can lead to serious issues such as slow drainage, pipe bursts, and even sewer backups.
How Grease Traps Work
Grease traps operate by slowing down the flow of wastewater from sinks and dishwashers, allowing FOG to separate from the water. The grease rises to the top of the trap, while solids settle at the bottom, and cleaner water is allowed to flow into the drainage system. This simple yet effective process helps prevent major plumbing problems in busy kitchens.
Why Do Restaurants Need Grease Traps?
In busy kitchens, cooking oil, meat fats, butter, and food scraps often end up washed down the drain. Without a grease trap, these can solidify and build up in plumbing, causing blockages, unpleasant odours, and even health code violations. A functioning grease trap helps:
- Prevent costly plumbing repairs
- Maintain compliance with local regulations
- Reduce the risk of foul smells and sewer backups
- Protect the environment by keeping harmful FOG out of water systems
Imagine a bustling restaurant during a Friday night dinner rush. The kitchen is working at full pace, and greasy waste is constantly being washed down the sink. Without a grease trap, that oil and fat begin to accumulate in the pipes. Suddenly, wastewater backs up into the kitchen sink mid-service.
The smell is unbearable, the floor is flooded, and food prep comes to a halt. Customers complain, and the kitchen is temporarily shut down — all because a grease trap wasn’t in place.
Restaurants generate large amounts of grease daily from cooking, frying, and dishwashing. Without a properly functioning grease trap, fats, oils, and food particles can accumulate in the pipes, leading to severe plumbing issues that can disrupt operations and result in expensive repairs.
Having a grease trap is not just a good practice; it’s often a legal requirement for food establishments.
Preventing Drain Blockages and Sewer Backups
When FOG enters the plumbing system, it sticks to the pipe walls and gradually builds up, causing blockages. This can lead to slow-draining sinks, foul odours, and, in severe cases, complete sewer line blockages that require emergency plumbing intervention. Grease traps act as a first line of defence to prevent these issues and keep kitchen operations running smoothly.
Compliance with Health and Safety Regulations
Local councils and health authorities enforce strict regulations for restaurants to manage their waste properly. Failure to have a functional grease trap can lead to fines, penalties, and even the risk of business closure. Regular grease trap maintenance ensures compliance and helps restaurant owners avoid unnecessary legal trouble, providing a sense of security and protection.
Protecting the Environment
Improper grease disposal can cause harm to the environment. When FOG enters the main sewage system, it can contribute to fatbergs, large masses of congealed grease and debris that clog sewer lines and cause major infrastructure problems. By using and maintaining grease traps, restaurants help protect the local water system and reduce their environmental footprint.
Common Issues with Grease Traps
Even with a grease trap in place, problems can still happen if it’s not properly maintained. A neglected grease trap can become ineffective and lead to plumbing emergencies, unpleasant odours, and potential fines.
Overflowing or Clogged Grease Traps
If a grease trap isn’t emptied regularly, it can fill up, causing grease and food waste to overflow into the drainage system. This defeats the purpose of having a grease trap and can lead to severe plumbing blockages.
Unpleasant Odours
A poorly maintained grease trap can emit strong, foul odours that can spread throughout the restaurant. This not only affects the working environment for kitchen staff but can also be off-putting for customers. Regular cleaning prevents odour buildup and keeps the restaurant smelling fresh.
Slow Drainage
When grease traps are not maintained, water drainage can slow down significantly, leading to backups in sinks and dishwashing areas. This disrupts kitchen operations and creates hygiene concerns that need to be addressed immediately.
How Often Should Grease Traps Be Cleaned?
The frequency of grease trap cleaning depends on the size of the trap and the volume of grease your restaurant produces. However, as a general guideline, grease traps should be cleaned:
- Every 1 to 3 months for high-volume restaurants
- Every 4 to 6 months for smaller food establishments
- As required by local regulations
Now, consider a restaurant that has a grease trap, but it hasn’t been cleaned in months. The trap becomes overloaded, and the grease starts slipping through into the sewer line. One day, during a routine inspection, local Canberra authorities found that FOG levels were dangerously high and issued a fine for non-compliance. On top of that, a hidden pipe blockage caused by excess grease triggers a significant plumbing repair costing thousands, all of which could have been avoided with regular maintenance.
Regular grease trap and plumbing maintenance is not just a basic task, it’s a proactive measure that prevents costly plumbing repairs and makes sure that your kitchen remains compliant with health standards, giving you a sense of control and preparedness.
Professional Grease Trap Maintenance
At Contemporary Plumbing, we provide professional grease trap installation and maintenance services for restaurants in Canberra. Our team ensures that your grease trap is functioning optimally, helping you avoid plumbing issues and regulatory fines.
Need a Canberra Plumber for Grease Trap Maintenance?
If you own a restaurant in Canberra, keeping your grease trap in top condition is essential for smooth operations. At Contemporary Plumbing, we specialise in grease trap installation and commercial plumbing services to help you stay compliant and avoid costly plumbing issues. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and keep your kitchen running efficiently!
Call us now for expert plumbing services in Canberra!
