Operating a restaurant comes with its own challenges, and managing grease traps is big. This is where grease traps come in. They play a key role in ensuring that your restaurant’s plumbing system remains in top shape and complies with the city’s regulations.
We’ve compiled the top 10 questions we get from restaurant owners about grease traps to help you navigate this important aspect of your business.
1. What is a grease trap, and why is it important?
A grease trap is designed to catch and separate fats, oils, and grease from wastewater before entering the main sewer system. It is critical to prevent clogs in your pipes and avoid potential sewer backups.
2. How often should grease traps be cleaned?
The grease trap cleaning frequency depends on the trap size and volume of grease your restaurant produces. Typically, grease traps should be cleaned every one to three months. However, high-volume establishments may need more frequent maintenance.
Worried about lead in your pipes? The City of Cincinnati may be able to help.
3. What are the signs that my grease trap needs attention?
Slow drainage, unpleasant odors, and frequent backups are common signs that your grease trap needs cleaning. If you notice these issues, it’s a good idea to schedule a service as soon as possible to avoid more significant problems.
4. Can I clean the grease trap myself?
While it might be tempting to handle grease trap cleaning in-house, it’s generally recommended that you hire a plumbing professional. Grease trap cleaning involves properly removing and disposing of grease, which requires specialized equipment and knowledge.
5. How do I choose the right grease trap for my restaurant?
Selecting the right grease trap depends on your kitchen size and the grease you handle. Consulting with a professional plumber can help you determine the appropriate grease trap size and type for your needs.
6. What are the local regulations for grease traps in Cincinnati?
The City of Cincinnati has specific regulations regarding grease traps, including requirements for installation, maintenance, and cleaning intervals. It’s essential to stay informed about these regulations to avoid fines and ensure compliance.
7. What happens if I don’t maintain my restaurant’s grease traps?
Neglecting grease trap maintenance can lead to many problems, including clogged pipes, sewer backups, and unpleasant odors. Over time, this neglect can also result in costly repairs and fines.
8. Are there any alternatives to traditional grease traps?
Alternative systems exist, such as grease recovery devices (GRDs) and automatic grease removal units (AGRUs). These systems can offer more efficient grease management and may be suitable for certain types of restaurants.
9. How can I reduce the amount of grease that enters the grease trap?
Implementing grease management best practices can help reduce the grease entering your trap. These include scraping plates before washing, using grease-reducing detergents, and training staff on proper disposal methods. Proper kitchen practices can help lessen the grease load and improve the efficiency of your grease trap.
10. What should I do if I notice grease buildup in my plumbing?
If you notice grease buildup in your plumbing, it’s essential to address it promptly to avoid more severe issues. Contact a professional plumber to inspect and clean your grease trap and address any blockages. Regular maintenance and prompt action can prevent damage and keep your plumbing system in good working order.
Ready to schedule your grease trap cleaning? The Allied Reddi-Rooter team is here to ensure your restaurant’s plumbing system stays in top shape and problem-free.
Attention, restaurant owners and managers: your kitchen’s grease trap plays a key role in making sure service runs smoothly, so keep it clean, because if it gets clogged it can shut down your restaurant entirely while repairs are being made.
It’s important to know when your grease trap needs to be cleaned or pumped by an experienced Cincinnati plumber. If any of these signs below sound familiar, it’s time to call Allied Reddi-Rooter.
Clogged or slow drains
One of the most common problems caused by a clogged grease trap happens when grease gets hardened in the trap and builds up to the point that it restricts water flow throughout your kitchen’s drainage system. This can lead to serious issues like flooding or a leak so bad that kitchen activities will have to come to a halt.
What’s that smell?
If you suddenly notice strange smells in the kitchen, it could be a sign that your grease trap is clogged. Odors, like a sulfur smell for example, are often caused by a buildup of food waste in the drains. With routine pumping and cleaning of the grease trap, all you’ll smell is the aroma of good cooking.
Grease everywhere
When you discard grease down your drains, it should stay in the grease trap until it’s cleaned or pumped. If the grease trap is clogged, you might start noticing grease, or a slick residue, in places it shouldn’t be, like the sinks and visible parts of pipes. Don’t ignore this. Instead, err on the safe side and call a plumber.
Follow the 25% rule
If your grease trap contains more than 25% grease and solid waste, it’s time to get it cleaned. Failing to do this could create bigger problems in the future, so don’t wait to book your appointment.
It’s overdue for its routine cleaning
We recommend having your grease traps professionally cleaned every three months to make sure your restaurant runs smoothly from open to close. Our plumbers have extensive training and experience servicing grease traps and have helped keep Cincinnati restaurants in top shape for more than 70 years.
Ready to schedule service?
The team at Allied Reddi-Rooter makes it easy. We offer grease trap service within the Cincinnati, Dayton and connecting I-75 corridor, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The team at Allied Reddi-Rooter is here to help, call or contact the team. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.
Do you own a restaurant or other type of business that requires grease trap cleaning and pumping? If so, you might have some questions you’d like answered before you schedule service.
Grease trap pumping play a key role in making sure restaurants operate smoothly. In fact, a clogged grease pump that needs cleaning or repair can shut down a restaurant entirely. Plus, there is government oversight on the process that monitors if service has been completed. Overlooking it can catch up with restauranters who put this maintenance on the back burner.
That means you need a plumbing professional with the know-how to clean and pump grease traps properly, and a reputation amongst Cincinnati restaurant owners as the best in the business. That’s Allied Reddi-Rooter.
Below are frequently asked questions about grease trap cleaning and pumping. Don’t see your question below? Give us a call. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about grease trap servicing in Cincinnati.
Your advertising states you perform grease trap plumbing. Is this accurate?
While many plumbing companies say they offer grease trap pumping, it’s not necessarily true. Often, it is a service that is listed on their website or in ads to get customers to call so they can try to sell plumbing services they don’t need. Let’s just say it’s a grease trap…. trap.
Our Techs have extensive training and experience servicing grease traps. Not only do we clean and pump grease traps, we also offer grease trap repair and can install new grease trap parts. Plus, every service by Allied Reddi-Rooter is followed up with service documentation for government certification. The government is consistent in their oversight of your grease trap. Allied is too.
How many years of experience does Allied Reddi-Rooter have in grease trap cleaning?
We have more than seven decades of experience pumping and cleaning grease traps. In fact, we’ve been serving Cincinnati restaurants and other businesses for so many years that they’ve become like family. We believe experience really matters. Additionally, we believe in continuing education to stay current on all grease remediation best practices.
I’d like an accurate, firm price on the on the phone. Do you provide this for your customers?
Absolutely. You should never be surprised at the cost of any plumbing service when you’re handed the bill. For about 95% of first time grease trap cleaning and other related plumbing services, we can give you a firm price during the initial phone call. For more complex issues, we’ll do an in-person evaluation and give a firm quote at no cost.
Do you offer emergency service and repair for grease traps? What about service on an as-needed basis?
We know that when there’s a problem with the grease trap at a restaurant, a repair simply can’t wait. That’s why we offer grease trap service 24/7. And while many restaurant owners prefer to schedule regular cleanings, we are happy to provide service and cleaning on an as-needed basis as well.
Will grease trap pumping interrupt my restaurant’s busy schedule?
No. This service should be seamless to your workflow. We’ll schedule grease trap cleaning at a time that is best for your restaurant. Simply put: we work on your schedule, not ours. That’s a big reason why Allied Reddi-Rooter is the plumber-of-choice in Greater Cincinnati for restaurant owners.
Do you subcontract your work?
No. We have a strong, dedicated team of plumbing technicians who are employed with Allied Reddi-Rooter. Since we don’t subcontract work, you can be confident knowing that you will have one, long term team member at your service.
Are you licensed? Do you work with a recognized disposal site?
Great questions! Yes to both. Allied Reddi-Rooter carries all required licenses, and we work exclusively with surrounding county government disposal services.
Do you also provide installation service for failed traps or parts?
Yes. In addition to pumping and cleaning grease traps, we can also install new parts and replace parts when needed.
Are you a full-service restaurant plumber?
Yes. Allied Reddi-Rooter specializes in every aspect of restaurant plumbing service, from bathroom and kitchen plumbing to grease removal. We work with hundreds of regional restaurants and arrive prepared for any service needed.
How can I schedule grease trap cleaning with Allied Reddi-Rooter?
When you’re ready to schedule grease trap cleaning and pumping at your restaurant or business, give us a call, or contact us here. The team at Allied Reddi-Rooter is here to help you with all your grease trap needs. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service. You can follow us on Facebook, @Allied Reddi-Rooter for the latest tips or to ask questions. https://www.alliedreddirooter.com/grease-trap-cleaning/
If you are a restaurant owner, you know how critical it is to have an excellent plumbing system that can go the distance. Restaurant drains, pipes, and faucets work overtime, and when they need repaired, it simply can’t wait – business (not to mention hungry diners) depends on it. To emphasize, you need Cincinnati’s full-service restaurant plumber.
Restaurant owners in Cincinnati know they can trust Allied Reddi-Rooter with all of their plumbing needs. And we do mean all of them. Take a look at our top plumbing services for restaurants below Learn more in our Restaurant Plumbing pages
Grease trap cleaning and repair
It’s essential for restaurants to have their grease trap and tank serviced regularly so fats, oils and grease don’t clog the pipes, which can lead to a serious problem (and a potentially costly repair). That’s why Allied Reddi-Rooter offers grease trap cleaning for restaurants, dining facilities, and anywhere else there’s a working commercial kitchen.
When we clean your grease traps, we not only scrape build up from the trap, we also perform an extensive inspection to ensure every aspect of your grease trap is working properly. We also update the service log, so you stay in good status with the health department.
Backflow repair
If you suspect that the water is dirty (anywhere in your restaurant) it’s important to contact a plumbing professional. Allied Reddi-Rooter offers backflow cleaning to make sure there’s no water returning to your pipes which can lead to an unsanitary situation. We can also replace your backflow preventer; a mechanical valve that prevents backflow in the first place.
Faucet repair
Think about it: restaurant faucets have a big job to do. Not only are they used throughout service in the kitchen to cook food and clean dishes, but they’re used at the bars, service stations, and in the bathrooms. These specialized faucets require equally specialized, professional care on a regular basis.
We recommend having your restaurant plumbing’s faucet system inspected at least once a year, and in the event that one should need immediate repair, we offer emergency service to keep your business running smoothly.
Drain cleaning
Restaurant drains to triple duty. Not only must they support sinks, dishwashers, and appliances, but they are in constant use, and should they clog, it can wreak serous havoc on your business, especially during a busy time.
We recommend having your drains serviced on a regular basis. At that time, we can inspect the pipes, sinks, and make any necessary repairs. Additionally, we encourage restaurant owners to take advantage of our high-definition drain and sewer line cameras to inspect your building’s plumbing. Learn more.
Sewer line inspection
Restaurants generate a lot of solid waste – from food to grease to wastewater. That’s why the sewer line needs to be maintained by a plumbing professional who can ensure that the line is working properly so that it doesn’t affect your business (as well as others in the building).
Allied Reddi-Rooter is proud to offer restaurant sewer line video inspection, considered the gold standard when it comes to sewer line assessment.
Gas line inspection
When you have an issue with your gas line it’s imperative to get it repaired immediately. Waiting to take care of it isn’t just expensive, it can be downright dangerous. Learn more.
We’re experts when it comes to every aspect of restaurant gas line systems. Give us a call to inspect and service yours.
Allied Reddi-Rooter has been serving Cincinnati restaurants for all of their plumbing needs for more than seven decades. No matter what plumbing problem arises at your restaurant, we have the solution.
If you’re wondering if it’s time to remodel the bathroom, we’ve got some advice to help you make the big decision. There are plenty of good reasons to update your bathroom, from making safer for you and your family, to saving on your water and energy bills.
Renovating the bathroom might seem daunting at first, but most updates can be made quickly, and many are ones you can do yourself. Take a look at our list below of some big signs that it’s time to remodel the bathroom.
It’s outdated. This one of the biggest reasons many of our customers have opted to remodel their bathrooms – or at least the master bathroom. Of course, it all boils down here to personal taste. If your style has changed but the bathroom hasn’t it, may be time for an upgrade.
Usually, this is a project that’s more fun than anything else. It’s a great opportunity to buy new floor mats or rugs, paint the walls a new color, buy a new shower curtain, replace the sink or mirror, change up the lighting, and splurge on accessories like a new massaging shower head or an aromatherapy diffuser.
It’s in a state of constant repair. Your bathrooms are some of the hardest working rooms in your home, and they’re subject to a lot of wear and tear over the years. If you’re finding yourself calling the plumber on a regular basis or repairing cracks and leaks in the bathroom – particularly leaks from the ceiling or the toilet – it’s time to consider remodeling the bathroom.
There are a couple of big benefits to remodeling your bathroom for this reason. First, it will make your bathroom safer and healthier because leaks can lead to mold which in turn can cause health issues. And, without all the leaks, you’ll be saving on your water bill.
Your needs have changed. Your home should grow with you, and as you get older, or if your family grows, it’s important that your bathroom stays updated to accommodate those changes. Perhaps you have a new baby, an elderly parent has come to live with you, or you’ve gotten a bit older yourself. If so, it may be time to modify your bathroom to fit your needs.
You’re selling your home. Studies shown that having an updated bathroom can help your home sell quicker and increase its ROI. Even easy changes, like a fresh coat of paint or a new toilet (installing one is easier than you may think) can be big motivators for buyers when they are considering buying your home.
You need more storage. If you’re storing extra towels in a closet in the bedroom, it may be time to upgrade your bathroom’s storage options. Cabinets and bins are a great investment, as are shelving systems that make use of wall space. You could also consider adding space with more major remodeling projects, like eliminating the bathtub and installing an enclosed shower instead, to make more room.
Even little updates can help save you money, elevate your bathroom’s comfort and style, and mean better safety and health for you and your family. In fact, we think any time is the right time for a little bathroom remodeling. Call or Contact the team at Allied Reddi-Rooter now. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.