Installing a Grease Trap for Your Septic System

Even though it is common knowledge that it is a bad idea to pour grease down the sink drain, some people still do it. Even though a homeowner may not pour large amounts of grease down the drain, some grease may still be in frying pans or other dishes being washed. It may not seem like enough to matter, but over time, that grease can build up in the septic system and cause problems. A grease trap in the septic system may solve the problem. 

What is a Grease Trap For a Septic System

People who own homes inside city limits and are on city water and drainage systems don’t have the same need for a grease trap in their waste system that people on private septic systems do, but they should still avoid dumping any grease down sinks or into toilets. However, homeowners on private septic systems must worry about build-up in their drainage pipes or septic system. So, for them, installing a grease trap might help.

Businesses such as restaurants that are on private septic systems need grease traps. Commercial buildings with food services, such as schools or hospitals, that are on private septic systems also need grease traps. Even if these public places are on public sewer lines, building codes may require them to have grease traps installed.

A grease trap can also be called a grease interceptor. This device is installed in a plumbing system in order to catch grease, oily substances, or fat before it enters the septic tank. If left to go through to the tank, these substances cause problems by solidifying inside the tank and forming clumps and clogs that will interfere with the septic tank functions like waste material degradation and filtering. This will cause the septic tank to need emptying more often and can lead to bad odors and even waste backing up into the home sinks and toilets.

Grease Traps Need Maintenance

After a grease trap is installed and starts collecting grease, its tank will need to be emptied regularly by pumping. The same company that pumps the septic tank can be called on to empty the grease trap. How often this grease trap will need to be emptied depends on the business or residence and how much grease is dumped down drains. Grease traps are an addition to the septic system and need to be emptied separately to allow them to do the job of collecting grease and keeping it out of the septic tank.

A restaurant will need its grease trap pumped more often than a residence. Once a grease trap is installed, it should be checked fairly often to determine when it needs to be emptied. Over time, a pattern will develop showing the owner how often the trap needs service. The septic service can be a big help in estimating how often service will be needed. In Northwest Indiana, that service could be Johnson Septic Service. They have experts who are familiar with how grease traps work and what maintenance they need. 

The same septic service that empties septic tanks can also install and service grease traps. They know all about both in-kitchen grease traps and in-ground grease traps and how to empty them without making a mess for the owner to deal with.