Easily maintain kitchen grease traps and compliance with local regulation

In busy commercial and restaurant kitchens, fats, oils and grease (FOG) are inevitable byproducts of daily operations. But just like at home, pouring FOG down sink drains isn’t an option — it can lead to costly damage and serious issues in sewer systems.

That’s where DAR PRO Solutions comes in. Our expert grease trap cleaning and maintenance services keep kitchens running smoothly and ensure compliance with local regulations. With us, it’s easy to maintain plumbing systems and focus on what matters most — serving customers.

What is a grease trap?

A grease trap captures and separates FOG from water that runs through sinks, dishwashers, disposals or floor drains. Nearly every commercial kitchen is required to operate and maintain a grease trap to prevent sewage blockages.

Grease traps vs. containers

It’s important to note that grease traps and grease containers are different. Grease traps are not intended and should never be used for used cooking oil (UCO) or grease disposal, because once UCO hardens, grease will solidify and stick to the sides of drainage pipes,  eventually building up into a clog. For grease disposal, DAR PRO Solutions recommends used cooking oil containers and collection service, a sustainable and convenient option to hold dirty oil from deep fryers until it can be collected and recycled by our professional service team.

How often should a grease trap be cleaned?

Just like any other piece of equipment within a commercial kitchen, grease traps need to be properly maintained to avoid clogs, backups and other issues. Cleaning is recommended when FOG and other waste fills 25 percent of a grease trap's capacity.  However, even with the best care, setting a preventative maintenance plan with DAR PRO Solutions is a smart idea. Our technicians routinely inspect and address any issues that could cause problems. We also train kitchen staff in best practices to prevent food and FOG from escaping down drains and using biodegradable detergents for cleaning.

Regular cleaning is a must for grease traps to function correctly, and cleaning is a messy job. If done incorrectly, bigger problems like grease spills or broken traps can occur. Grease trap cleaning is best managed by professionals with DAR PRO Solutions, which offers grease trap pumping services for our used cooking oil customers. Our entire process is centered around customer convenience and ensuring businesses run smoothly and remain in compliance with local regulations.

What happens if grease traps aren’t cleaned?

By working with DAR PRO Solutions to create a preventative maintenance and cleaning schedule for grease traps, businesses can avoid the health and safety risks that come from a failure to do so, including:

• Legal problems: An improperly maintained grease trap is more likely to leach FOG – considered a hazardous material – into the public sewage system. Grease spills or unlawful grease contamination of water can result in daily fines of up to $50,000 until remedied.
• Loss of revenue: Not only are fines expensive, but so are repairs. While under repair, a restaurant might suffer from additional loss of revenue if repairs require closure for a period of time.
• Safety risks: When grease traps are not cleaned, they can become safety hazards, creating higher risks for slips, trips and falls, and hazardous fumes.
• Plumbing problems: Water can have difficulty escaping when a grease trap isn’t maintained correctly, leading backups, standing water or gray water flooding the kitchen. This can be expensive and unhealthy.
• Unpleasant odors: Allowing grease to sit for too long can enable bacteria growth, causing foul odors in the trap, which not only creates an unpleasant work environment for employees, but also impact customer experience.

Failure to maintain and clean grease traps can result in bigger problems down the road. Working with DAR PRO Solutions ensures that grease trap cleaning is done correctly and on a convenient schedule. Contact DAR PRO Solutions to learn more about our tailored, all-in-one solutions to manage used oil collection and grease trap cleaning.