Not so long ago, a city in Florida experienced three wastewater spills in one day. Authorities said those spills were caused by residents who poured fats and grease down their drains. The initially liquid fats, oils, and grease ( FOG) harden as they travel down the sewer line.
FOG builds up and causes blockages far away from its point of origin. There are 23,000 to 75,000 sanitary system overflows (SSO) per year in the United States. SSOs are a severe health threat. The bacteria in raw sewage can cause life-threatening diseases and ailments. People may be exposed by drinking contaminated water or swimming in polluted rivers and lakes.
Blockages caused by fats, oils, and grease are also costly to fix. Businesses in the food industry are required by law to have grease interceptors in their facilities to avoid severe breakdowns of sewer lines.
If you have been calling your plumbing company more frequently to clear clogs and blockages in your drain, you might want to look for a better long-term solution. Read on to learn more about grease traps and if they could be the solution you have been looking for.
What Are Grease Traps?
Grease traps or grease interceptors are receptacles for trapping grease. Wastewater from sinks flows through the interceptor, which retains the fats and grease and only allows fat-free water to flow out.
Grease traps are usually seen in restaurants and hotels as well as other places where food is prepared commercially. They should be installed by a specialized professional or a plumbing company.
How Do They Work?
Grease traps work on the principle that fats and grease float on top of the water because they are less dense than water. Water containing FOG flows from the sink to the interceptor. The grease trap slows down the flow of water, allowing the fats to float to the top and solids to settle at the bottom. The clear water then flows out via an outlet.
Because the grease and solids build up over time, the device must be cleaned out regularly. If the unit is not cleaned out frequently, the accumulated waste will flow into the outlet pipes and the sewer lines.
The waste can also backup up and emit foul smells. Depending on how much grease is produced, the trap should be cleaned every 1-3 months. There are also local requirements in Pompano Beach, FL, that specify how often they should be cleaned. A plumbing company can help you determine the best timeframe.
Different Types of Grease Traps
Though grease traps and interceptors are usually used interchangeably, they are different. The difference lies in the size and the amount of wastewater the respective unit can handle. Your plumbing company can help you determine the best one for your needs. There are three main types of grease traps/interceptors:
Passive Hydro Mechanical or Manual Grease Traps
These traps are the most common devices used. They are usually found in small businesses, and some models are also suitable for residential use. They are not as costly and can fit under most sinks. Because of that, they do not hold as much waste and must be cleaned regularly.
Automatic Grease Traps
Also known as automatic grease removal units, these traps work similarly to manual grease traps. The only difference is that they regularly heat the accumulated fats and grease. The liquified FOG is then transferred into a receptacle, from where it can be easily removed and discarded.
Gravity Grease Interceptor
These large tanks are usually made of concrete and buried in the ground. They can have a capacity of 500 gallons or more. Gravity systems need to be pumped out regularly by a specialized plumbing company. A plumbing company will inform you about regulations concerning gravity grease interceptors in Pompano Beach, FL.
Benefits of Grease Traps
- Save money: Blockages caused by grease can be very costly to repair. If blockages are not treated promptly, they can lead to backups. Sometimes normal operations must be shut down as a plumbing company works on the repairs. With grease traps, you don’t have to worry about fats ever entering the pipes.
- Protect the environment: Wastewater treatment plants consume a lot of energy to remove grease from the wastewater. With less FOG in the wastewater, treatment plans can save money and energy. Additionally, the occurrence of sanitary system overflows will also be significantly reduced. This, in turn, helps keep groundwater and rivers clean.
- The trapped grease can be turned into clean fuel: You may already know that cooking oil can be turned into biodiesel. Some companies clean the grease collected by an interceptor and turn it into biofuel.
- Your plumbing company will thank you for it: A plumber’s job is usually very messy. Dealing with clogged pipes and backup is not only a nuisance to you but also to the professionals called to take care of it. Maintaining a grease interceptor is much easier than repairing or replacing pipes damaged by blockages.
MainLine Plumbing Is Here to Help You Save Time and Money
Blockages and backups are bound to happen from time to time, sometimes due to reasons you can’t prevent. But there are some things you can do to decrease the frequency of blockages.
MainLine Plumbing will help you find the best solutions. Our plumbing company in Pompano Beach, FL, has years of experience and is committed to delivering the best service. When you hire us, we will thoroughly inspect your plumbing system.
Once the problem areas have been determined, we will offer solutions based on your needs. Whenever we do a repair or an installation, we guarantee quality service. When we do a job, we do it right the first time. Don’t hesitate to give MainLine Plumbing a call and enjoy superior services today.
Author Bio:
Andrew Dilaurenzio
The primary contact at Mainline Plumbing Service, you can contact Mainline Plumbing Service by phone using this number 954-466-9803. They provide 100% guaranteed customer service. They do it all. Water heaters, sewer camera video inspection, drain cleaning, slab leak repairs, leak detection, sewer line repairs, and much more.