Monthly Archives: December 2012

Cleaning Your Grease Trap

Restaurants, cafeterias, and fast food chains usually have efficient plumbing systems that allow easy disposal of waste products. However, the excessive amount of oil and grease that come from all the frying, dish washing and cleaning can clog up the drain and hinder the flow of wastes in the plumbing system.

A Social Responsibility
When hardened grease and oil obstruct water flow in the drainage system, the whole municipal sewer could get affected. Clogged drains block water from flowing freely. With water stuck within the system, the possibility of flooding or sewage backup is higher. This creates a domino effect—when one system is congested, all the others are likely to follow.

Many homes and businesses are going to be affected, which means everyone else will have to clean up their drainage systems. That does not only cost a lot of money, but it brings a lot of headache as well. Food establishments should have an efficient grease trap installed within their business premises to ensure that sewer lines are not plugged. A grease trap is a chambered box that filters out oil and grease. Ensuring that all plumbing lines are clear is a social responsibility that everyone must share to prevent nuisances from happening.

Grease Trap Installation and Cleaning Frequency
All food establishments are required to have grease traps installed within their premises. Households and businesses with Waste Discharge Permits are exempted from the rule.

The size of the grease trap of interceptor varies according to the discharge rate of each establishment. Automatic dishwashers, exhaust hoods and pre-rinse sinks can all be connected to a grease trap to prevent blubber from blocking the drainage pipes.

The number of clean-outs required depends on how big the interceptor is. A 75-gallon grease trap should be cleaned every two weeks. Although a bigger grease interceptor is more expensive, it makes sense to install a sizable one to catch all grease from the kitchen.

What Not to Dump in Your Toilet and How it Can Affect Your Septic Tank

The septic tank requires little maintenance, thus it’s often the most neglected part of the home. There’s very little effort involved in keeping it in good condition. However, homeowners need to keep in mind that a septic tank needs to be clog free in order to work properly.

The tank is not a garbage can and should not be considered as such. Flushing down sanitary napkins, diapers, and even toilet paper can stop the tank from working properly. Random items such as cat litter, coffee grounds, and cigarettes butts can also hamper the efficiency of the tank. Anything that’s non-biodegradable can stop the sewer system from functioning well as it should.

Bacteria grow in the tank, and they are responsible for breaking down the solids that make their way into the system. With a tank nearly filled with non-biodegradable materials, the bacteria in the tank will have a difficult time turning the solids into sludge.

What if the item is too small or too trivial to count? Items such as dental floss and cotton buds may not seem like a lot, but if the tank uses a grinder pump, small items can be stuck in the impeller, causing massive pump damage.

Moreover, chemicals from home cleaning products (such as ammonia, bleach, and drain cleaners) also impede the processes of the septic system. These chemicals interfere with the anaerobic bacteria’s job, making waste processing very inefficient. What’s worse is that the chemicals can seep into and contaminate the nearby water system.

There’s a reason why garbage cans are created—they’re for the proper disposal of biodegradable and non-biodegradable items. When the tank breaks down, it will be most costly for the homeowner to have it repaired. Proper care and maintenance of the tank should save owners from the headaches and expenses that a broken down sewer system brings and that’s where Edenflo can help.

New Video: How Does Your Septic System Work?

Check out our latest video showcasing how your Septic System works, and how through regular maintenance with Edenflo Pump Truck Services, you can avoid damages, and costly repairs. For all of your Septic Tank and System needs, give us a call!