Restaurants, large kitchens and other businesses in the food industry produce a lot of grease and food solids waste. A grease trap, also known as a grease interceptor, is a plumbing fixture that is specifically designed to capture grease and prohibit it from passing into the sewage system.
It’s an essential piece of equipment in restaurants and schools and is required by health inspectors for large establishments.
In Western Australia, the Water Corporation has regulatory oversight of grease trap installation and maintenance. In order to comply with local regulations and ensure optimal functionality, the Water Corporation requires all businesses that have a grease trap installed on-site have it serviced on a regular basis.
As one of Perth's most reliable liquid waste disposal specialists, Tunnel Vision conducts a safe, efficient, discreet and environmentally friendly grease trap cleaning service.
How Does Your Grease Trap Cleaning Services Work?
Our professional Perth grease trap cleaning service includes:
- Complete FOG (fat, oil and grease) and debris removal
- Full wash, clean and scraping down of solids from all internal structures (inlet/outlet, baffle pipe/wall, trap surfaces)
- Inspection of inlet and outlet points
- Reporting of trap condition and abnormalities
- Waste transport for offsite FOG waste recycling
- Trap audits to maintain service quality
By engaging in Tunnel Vision’s Perth grease trap services, your business will not need to worry about:
- Flooding and overflow
- Unpleasant odours
- Blockages of inlet and outlet pipes through the heavy build-up in grease
- Hefty fines and possible legal action from local water authorities
- Emergency drainage and grease trap repairs
What is a Grease Trap?
A grease trap is a water-containing concrete, steel or fibreglass box with an inlet pipe and a raised outlet.
As wastewater passes into the grease trap, the flow rate is slowed. This allows food particles to sink to the bottom of the trap, while oil and grease rise to the surface. Baffles set inside the box allow water to flow underneath, but provide one or more solid walls as an additional barrier to FOG waste.
Many modern grease traps also feature additional filters or strainers to trap larger pieces of food waste or solid fats before they even enter the trap. Tunnel Vision includes a grease trap filter cleaning and assessment as part of our service.
How Does a Grease Trap Work?
Grease traps are small reservoirs built into wastewater piping close to grease producing sources.
The reservoir retains the wastewater long enough for the grease to solidify on the surface. Once the oils and greases are separated from the wastewater, they can then be removed and disposed of properly by a liquid waste disposal specialist.
When greasy water goes down a drain, it is fed through a pipe into the grease trap. First, the grease trap works by cooling down the greasy water.
The grease trap has the ability to use water to separate the different layers of fats, oils and grease (FOG) waste within. The greasy water is given the chance to settle, allowing fat, oil and grease to float to the surface of the grease trap and become trapped.
The water then flows into another compartment where it settles for a second time to further separate grease and food particles. The somewhat cleaner wastewater then flows directly into the sewer system.
The oil and grease collected by grease traps must be removed regularly to ensure optimal performance and safety. It is recommended that a grease trap should be emptied when the sludge level reaches ¼ of the level of the tank. Irregular grease trap disposal maintenance and cleaning can cause fat deposits to accumulate, either settling along the inside of the pipe wall or coming loose and causing blockages and corrosion further down the line.
For small grease traps (e.g. those installed under individual sinks), the grease trap waste can be removed manually by scooping it into watertight containers and disposed of with other household garbage. For large grease traps, such as those used in commercial kitchens and food processing factories, contract a grease trap cleaning and pumping company such as Tunnel Vision on a regular basis or the local water authorities will intervene.
How Does Our Grease Trap Disposal Services Work?
Tunnel Vision’s grease trap servicing prevents wastewater system blockages and saves you from unnecessary plumbing costs.
We can provide a single or regular grease trap service where we will contact you to arrange an appointment according to your selected maintenance schedule. We do this via an automated system that keeps track of your grease trap cleaning and maintenance program.
The process for our grease trap cleaning service requires a vacuum liquid waste truck. Our professional drivers will remove your grease trap’s cover and using a hose will pump all the liquid waste into the truck.
Once the grease trap is cleaned and washed with a low-pressure washer the cover is replaced and the site left neat and tidy.
Finally, your liquid waste disposal expert will complete all WA Water Corporation and EPA required documentation. All FOG (fat, oil and grease) waste is then recycled.
Why Choose Tunnel Vision For Your Grease Trap Disposal Services?
- Scheduled Services: We can find the most appropriate grease trap maintenance schedule for your company.
- Fit to Your Needs: Our services are tailored to fit your business's needs, budget and schedule.
- Maximise Landfill Diversion: Your waste will be recycled and turned into biosolids for beneficial soil application.
- Environmentally Friendly: Proud of our role as an ecological and innovative liquid waste disposal company, Tunnel Vision is certified to remove and recycle all liquid waste, complying with all Australian environmental, OHS and quality standards.
What Are Western Australia's Grease Trap Regulations?
There are local and international regulations that control both above-ground and below-ground grease traps.
In order to determine how often you are required to clean your grease trap, you should refer to WA’s Water Corporation's guidance for trade waste.
Based upon the size of your grease trap, you are required to clean it quarterly or monthly. With that being said, your grease trap may require cleaning earlier than this if it is showing signs that it needs cleaning.
Contracting and establishing a maintenance schedule with your commercial plumber will help keep your drainage systems in good shape.
Contact WA’s Grease Trap Waste Disposal Experts
From septic waste and wastewater, Tunnel Vision's plumbers have the expertise and equipment to manage your liquid waste safely, securely and in compliance with safety and environmental requirements.
Grease traps are an essential part of success for any commercial restaurant, food establishment, and even some residences. Without grease trap cleaning, grease waste can cause major plumbing issues by clogging drains and sewer lines and potential damage to the environment.
Tunnel Vision’s professional grease trap waste disposal provides your business with a worry-free, scheduled waste management solution. We keep track of your grease trap servicing record and arrange pump-outs, cleaning, inspections and disposal at a time that suits you.
Save yourself the trouble and have your grease trap cleaning performed on a regular schedule by our team of experienced liquid waste professionals.
By choosing Tunnel Vision as your liquid waste disposal contractor, your business is guaranteed an environmentally friendly grease trap cleaning and waste management service at a competitive price.
Call us today on 1800 631 799 or send through an enquiry form for more information about our Perth plumbing services!