High amounts of oil, grease, and fats from cooking can interrupt the natural breakdown of said oils in septic tanks & sewer facilities, so it is a good idea to install a grease trap at your home or business if you do a lot of food preparation.

Determine The Necessary Grease Trap Size

The very first step in grease trap preparation for your home or business is understanding your needs and which model will suit those needs.  Traps come in several different sizes and models to best fit each circumstance and specific purpose.  Whether you have a home or business, the size of grease trap necessary will be determined by the amount of water that goes through your drainage pipes.  As a general rule, restaurants and other businesses that dispose of large amounts of grease down the drain on a regular basis should pick a grease trap with a capacity of at least 40 KG.  Even if you don’t own a business, you may still consider getting a larger capacity trap if you don’t plan on cleaning it often.  For homes, smaller buildings, and general use, a smaller regular capacity grease trap should be able to handle the work load with little to no trouble.  Upgrading your plumbing system to include a grease trap is a good way to help protect the environment, while protecting you from blockages, clogs, and plumbing problems.

Location Of Installation

The next step in the process of installing and getting the most out of your grease trap is determining the best place to put it for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.  In most cases, the best place to install a trap is right under the kitchen sink for convenience, however, in other circumstances, a different location may be more appropriate.  For houses or small buildings with several sinks, outdoor setup is better suited for all of the drainage pipes that can be connected to one pipe outside connected to the grease trap.  Figure out first if having it inside or outside is better and then determine the exact location to meet the drainage pipe/pipes from there.

Connecting The Grease Trap To The Pipes Or Pipe

The exact hookup procedure will vary depending on what model you are installing so be sure to read the instruction manual over to be sure the process is done correctly.  On most models, 3 different connections will need to be made.  First off, there should be a connection made to the holding tank vent.  Next, a connection to the sink or the source of the water should be made and is usually located on the left side of the unit.  Lastly, the connection to the pipe that leads to the sewer system should be established.  This is usually located on the bottom right side of the grease trap unit.  Never allow any solid waste to go down the sink and enter the grease trap.  Instead, ensure that the sink is effective at catching all solid objects preventing them from entering the grease trap.  A very useful tip to remember and practice is to run some hot water after disposing of grease down the drain.  This will aid in the breakdown of grease in the grease trap so a buildup is less likely to develop.  Remember and use these tips so installing a grease trap can be a piece of cake.   If you are experiencing difficulty or just have a question don’t hesitate to reach out to a DC sewer and drain expert for professional assistance.

The drains and sewer often seem to clog at the most inconvenient time, like when you have a house party or entertaining guests in your home. The best way to avoid frustrating clogs and nasty backups in your plumbing system is through preventive maintenance. It is the easiest way to keep your home’s plumbing system clean, healthy and running freely. Unfortunately, neglected plumbing pipes contain buildups of sediment, hair, grease, rust and other chemicals that cause serious corrosion that leave your pipes damaged. Here are the five ways to prevent clogs in your sewer and drainage.

Catching Hair Before It Reaches The Drain

Some hair and soap often find their way into the sewer pipes, causing severe tub clogs. To prevent this from happening, install a strainer to keep hair and other elements from your plumbing pipes. Ensure that you clean it regularly to allow the water to drain freely from your shower or bathtub. If you experience a clog, remove the strainer and plunge the drain. If the drain does not unclog after several pushes, you may need to call a DC drain and sewer service to assess and address the situation.

Collect Grease

Pouring grease down your kitchen drain is one the worst thing to do. Once you pour hot oil, it will run down the drain until it cools down in the pipe where it congeals to begin forming a clog. With time, more stuff gets stuck in it and this buildup of elements may create a major clog. The best way to prevent these clogs is by avoiding the pouring of oil and grease in your drains. You can place a jar in your kitchen to collect your oil and grease and throw it away in the trash once it becomes full.

Avoid Rinsing Cement Down The Drain

Cement often hardens through a chemical reaction and will settle down even under water forming a rock-hard clog. Sand is also a danger to drains since it is heavy and settles quickly in pipes forming clogs that are difficult to remove. To prevent these clogs, avoid rinsing any setting, joint or cementing compounds down the drains.

Flush Your Drains

Low-flow faucets and toilets are great ways of saving on water usage but not effective in safeguarding your drains. The low pressure of the water does not clear the entire debris but instead leaves it to build up in your pipes. To prevent this, ensure that you flush your pipes regularly with large volumes of water. You can fill a bucket with water as you simultaneously flush the toilet to keep the main drain clear. You can also fill your sinks and tubs with some hot water and release it down the drains.

Collect Your Food Waste

Crushing up food remains in the disposer and flushing it down your drain may be convenient, but it can create clogs in the pipes. The best way is to collect the food waste in a container and throw it in a compost bin.

In conclusion, clogged drains and sewer backups can be such a nuisance.  In case you have a drain emergency or backup, locate and shut down all the valves in your home including the main water valve if there is a severe water leak. If you are not familiar with your plumbing system or don’t feel confident making any plumbing decisions, contact a DC drain and sewer service for all your emergency plumbing and drain concerns.