Do you know as much about grease traps as you should? This unsung hero of your home’s plumbing system stops grease, oil, and other potentially harmful solids from entering your drain to cause clogs and destruction. The concept behind how grease traps work is relatively simple. Grease is less dense than water. As a result, it rises to the grease trap to be held while grease-free water travels through your pipes and drainage system to arrive in the sewer or septic tank.
How Do You Get a Grease Trap Installed?
Most people have grease traps installed under their sinks. However, they can be positioned based on what works best for your kitchen’s size and layout. When selecting a spot for a grease trap, prioritize areas that offer easy access when it’s time to clean or maintain the trap. The actual process of installing a grease trap in your home requires you to connect the trap to the main water source. Generally, this means using a pipe to connect the trap to your skink. Next, the trap is connected to a holding vent. Finally, a pipe is added that connects the trap to your home’s entry to the sewage system to allow filtered water to freely flow to its destination.
Most homomers have questions about the size and capacity they should choose when purchasing a grease trap. A local plumbing company will be able to size up your kitchen and sink to make a recommendation that will offer the best performance and value. It’s also best to have a new grease trap professionally installed by a local plumber for best results.
Things to Know After Installing a Grease Trap
Depending on your cooking habits, grease traps should be cleaned out every one to three months. Your kitchen’s water supply should be turned off prior to cleaning your trap. You can then pull the lid off of the trap. Simple cleaning involves scraping away greasy debris with a spatula to remove buildup. For stubborn grease or food particles, a shop vac or wet vac can be used to suction debris away. Finally, keep the grease trap in good condition by cleaning it with a brush using warm water and dish soap. Be sure to correctly dispose of any grease collected from the trap during cleaning according to your town’s guidelines for grease disposal.
It’s also important to know the signs that something is wrong with your grease trap. If your sink is suddenly draining slowly or overflowing, this is a sign that you have a compromised or broken grease trap. Many people also notice unpleasant odors coming from the sink when a grease trap is not properly draining. You might also hear gurgling or suction sounds. Paying attention to your grease trap can help you to avoid clogs and messes. When you clean your grease trap, do a visual inspection to look for excessive grease buildup or visible cracking that could indicate that your trap isn’t working as efficiently as it could.