It’s an important question, how often should you have your Central Florida restaurant or cafe grease trap cleaned out? While the answer depends on many factors, the last thing you want is to forget when it is due until it’s too late. It typically leads to costly and legal ramifications, not to mention a huge mess that can result in the loss of customers. A good cleaning schedule depends on cooking techniques, seating capacity, kind of business, and trap size.
Your cleaning schedule should follow the 1/4 rule
Most restaurants and cafes have their grease traps cleaned every one to three months. Following the 1/4 rule can help you determine which how long you should go before cleanings. The rule expresses when the fats, oils, grease and solids (FOGS) fills the grease trap 1/4 of the way full, it is time to have it cleaned. When it gets to this point drains becomes slow, unpleasant odors start filling the facility, and the lines become clogged. If your restaurant produces a lot of FOGS or have a small grease trap, then you may need to have it cleaned more often.
According to the Orange County Government
Restaurants, facilities that prepare/serve food/beverages, hotels, nursing homes, car washes, vehicle repair shops, owners of private pump stations, etc.) are required to participate in the Oil & Grease Prevention Program. As part of the program, the facility must have a County-approved pollution pretreatment device (grease trap, grease interceptor, oil/water separator, sand trap, or fine particle strainer) to pretreat its wastewater, and the device must be properly maintained in accordance with program requirements. All nonresidential customers must submit an Oil & Grease Prevention Program Facility Information Survey once they start their wastewater service to see if they must comply with this program.
Grease traps/interceptors and oil/water separators must be completely pumped out and cleaned at least once every 90 days. In addition, grease traps must be inspected (and excessive solids, fats, grease, and oil removed) at least once every 7 days.
Unfortunately, not following these rules, laws, or regulations, can lead to costly fines or even closing down the business. If you have a problem with your grease trap or it is time for a cleaning, contact Orlando Septic Services.
