Grease Trap Installation – Grease Trap Replacement

Grease Trap Installation & Replacement

Serving Vancouver WA | Portland OR

Grease traps, also known as grease interceptors, are used in the food service industry and other commercial establishments. They’re a simple but important piece of kitchen equipment whose job it is to intercept oil and grease before it enters the sewer system.

Without a grease trap, your fats have nowhere to go but down the drain and that can mean big problems. Grease down the drain can lead to clogs – not just in your plumbing but also in the local sewer system. This isn’t just an inconvenience – improper grease disposal is illegal. It can be an environmental hazard and cost your business lots of money in fines. 

With Pacific Plumbing & Drain’s grease trap replacement and installation services, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you are working with one of the most reliable and eco-friendly companies in the industry.

How Does Grease Trap Installation Work?

When you call Pacific Plumbing & Drain Services for grease trap installation or replacement, we’ll send out an experienced technician to assess your current situation.

From there, we’ll recommend the ideal grease trap solution for your kitchen. If that means installation, we’ll talk to you about pros and cons about the different options available. If that means replacement, we’ll help you pick out and install one that’s optimized for your existing setup.

Types of Grease Traps

There are 3 main types of grease traps commonly used in commercial businesses. They are:

• Small passive, point-of-use grease traps located underneath or next to dishwashing machines
• In-ground grease traps constructed of steel, fiberglass or concrete
• Grease Recovery Devices (GRD) that automatically remove grease when trapped

How Do You Know if Your Grease Trap Needs to Be Replaced?

As long as you get your grease trap pumped and maintained regularly, it should give you many years of excellent performance. All grease traps do eventually need to be replaced, though; these are some of the telltale signs that it’s time to replace yours:

• Foul odors – Organic particles settle in the bottom of your grease trap. The longer they remain, the more they will break down and emit sulphuric gasses. These gasses smell terrible, but will usually go away after your trap is cleaned. If the odor doesn’t go away or returns quickly afterward, it’s a sign you should consider replacing your grease trap.
• Holes – Broken down organic matter also releases sulphuric acid that has a strongly corrosive effect. The longer it’s present, the greater the likelihood of damage like holes in the grease trap. This can lead to leakage, which can cause FOG (fat, oil and grease) to get disposed of with wastewater, which can cause sewage clogs and result in fines.
• Increased cleaning frequency – If it seems like you have to pump or clean your grease trap more than usual, it may be a sign that yours is damaged. Or perhaps its performance has declined due to age. Either way, this can be taken as a clue that it’s time for a replacement.
• Overflows – A well maintained grease trap that’s pumped on a regular basis should not overflow. If it does, this is a red flag that something is wrong and your grease trap should be inspected by a professional.

Do You Have a Metal Grease Trap?

It’s rare to find a metal grease trap in a kitchen these days, but they used to be commonplace.  If you have a metal grease trap in your kitchen, it’s a good idea to get it replaced with a more modern model as soon as possible.

Why? Metal grease traps are particularly vulnerable to corrosion from sulphuric gasses generated by organic matter. The lifespan for one is typically no more than seven years. Today, the majority of grease traps are plastic and last much longer than seven years.

How Much Does Grease Trap Installation Cost?

The cost of having a grease trap installed or replaced can vary depending on the size and type of grease trap you’re getting. Without counting the cost of the actual grease trap itself – going only by the cost of labor, permitting, and fees – the cost will usually run anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a couple thousand.

If this sounds like a lot, it’s important to remember that the cost of buying a grease trap and having it installed in your kitchen will always be less than the cost of repairing a major plumbing issue or paying a municipal fine for improper grease disposal.

Experienced Grease Trap Installation & Replacement in Portland OR and Vancouver WA

Whether you’re getting a grease trap installed for the first time or it’s time to replace your existing one, Pacific Plumbing and Drain can help. Contact us today with questions or to schedule an appointment.