While we don’t perform installations here at Food Grease Trappers, we’ve inspected our fair share of grease traps that are far beyond recovery. Sometimes cleaning and maintenance isn’t enough to revive a grease trap that has fallen into disrepair. Fortunately, there are signs you can watch out for to prevent catastrophe – signs we here at Food Grease Trapper are well aware of. However, to protect your business, it’s best that you’re also aware of the signs your grease trap needs replacing.
What are the Warning Signs to Look Out For?
Generally, grease traps should be emptied when they’re around a quarter full. Leaving the fats, oils, greases, and solids (FOGS) lingering can cause damage to the grease trap’s tank. Some red flags to be wary of include:
- Leaking Grease Trap: It’s important to act quickly if you have a leak. If you notice your tank is not filling up, it’s crucial to schedule an inspection immediately, as your business will be liable for any damages to the surrounding environment or sewage system.
- Your Tank is Steel: Grease traps were formerly made of steel, which is susceptible to rust and corrosion. These types of traps are only expected to last five to seven years on average. If your trap is metal, it’s wise to have an inspector evaluate whether you need to upgrade to plastic.
- Increasingly Frequent Need for Pumping: Particularly for steel, the inlet and outlet baffles can be damaged during the pumping process, making the grease trap increasingly less effective.
The safest way to avoid damaging your tank is to schedule regular cleaning, maintenance, and emptying for it. Delaying these essentials can result in costly tank replacement.
What Will Happen if You Don’t Replace a Damaged Grease Trap?
Postponing a grease trap replacement can have dangerous environmental, financial, and even structural repercussions. If your grease trap is leaking, it can corrode the foundation of your establishment over time, endangering the workers and patrons inside. Furthermore, aside from damaging the local ecology, the FOGS can directly enter the city’s sewer system, opening your business up for a lawsuit. Therefore, while replacing a grease trap can be expensive, if an inspector indicates you should invest in a new one, it’s crucial to heed their word.
Learning the signs your grease trap needs replacing will ensure you’re not liable for the damages that occur. To prevent corrosion, leaks, or damaged components, it’s important to hire a renowned grease trap maintenance team. Food Grease Trappers has nearly three decades of experience working with grease traps, and our inspections are sure to uncover any irreparable damages to your tank or system. While we don’t perform replacements, we can recommend replacement traps and skilled contractors. Contact us to schedule an inspection to keep your business protected.
