byAlma Abell

Nothing says romance like cleaning a grease trap. Okay, that is the furthest thing from the truth and, to be honest, having to clean a grease trap is actually quite disgusting. It is, however, something that needs to be done, no matter how unpleasant it is. Here are some DIY cleaning guidelines from the experts in Grease Trap Cleaning Services.

Step 1

The first step in cleaning the grease trap is removing the lid. This must be done with a pry bar and should be done carefully to avoid damaging the gaskets that line the lid. If these are damaged, they will most certainly need to be replaced, and they are often not very cheap.

Step 2

Make sure to either memorize or draw a diagram of how the internal parts of the grease trap fit together. An even better idea is to use the owner’s manual for reference, but this s not always a feasible option. This is a necessary step because the parts will need to taken apart, cleaned, and then put back together. Failure to do so properly will result in damage to the trap itself. If this sounds like too much work, it may be best to hire a Grease Trap Cleaning Services company before going any further.

Step 3

Place either a measuring stick or a wooden dowel to measure exactly how much grease is in the trap. If a dowel is used, it can be removed and then measured with a tape measure. The resulting number will need to be reported on a “FOG” report, which indicates exactly how much fatty oils and grease are being pumped out and must be supplied to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Step 4

The grease and solidified fatty remnants need to be scooped out, preferably with a bucket. The resulting waste should be placed into an airtight container and disposed of according to environmental standards. The trap itself should then be scrubbed with soap and room-temperature water and then rinsed. Put everything back the way it was, according to memory or the carefully-constructed diagram that was created before the trap was taken apart.

To avoid all of this dirty work and let someone else get messy, simply contact an experienced cleaning company such as Texas Pride Septic. They will sull their hands so that nobody else has to. You can also connect with them on Twitter.