Grease Trap Cleaning
Professional grease trap cleaning that keeps your commercial kitchen running and your plumbing compliant
5 Highlights on Grease Trap Cleaning
- Scheduled Pumping and Degreasing — Our septic technicians pump out accumulated fats oils and grease (FOG) from your grease trap or grease interceptor on a routine schedule, preventing clogged drain lines and foul odors from disrupting your business.
- Full Scum and Sludge Removal — We don’t just skim the surface. Our vacuum truck extracts every layer of congealed grease, rancid sludge, and residual solids from the tank, baffle, and effluent filter so the unit operates at full capacity.
- Compliant Disposal at Licensed Facilities — All collected FOG and septage are hauled to an approved disposal facility or treatment plant, and we provide documentation for your compliance records and health department inspections.
- Hydro Jetting of Inlet and Outlet Pipes — After we clean the grease interceptor, our crew hydro jets the connected drainpipes and lateral lines to flush away greasy biofilm buildup that restricts wastewater flow.
- Detailed Maintenance Log and Pumping Schedule — Every service visit includes a written maintenance log noting the condition of your unit, volume of waste removed, and a recommended pumping schedule tailored to your kitchen’s output.
Why Choose Our Grease Trap Cleaning
Grease trap cleaning is a job that demands the right equipment, proper licensing, and real experience with commercial wastewater systems. Action Septic Service brings all three to every call.
We operate a fleet of industrial vacuum trucks and pump trucks equipped with high capacity hoses and hydro jetters built specifically for grease interceptor service. Our technicians hold current certifications and understand the municipal regulations that govern FOG disposal in your area. That means your business stays compliant without you having to track code changes yourself.
We serve restaurants, cafeterias, hotels, hospitals, food processing plants, and any commercial or industrial kitchen that relies on a grease trap. Our crew has cleaned units ranging from small under sink traps to 2,000 gallon in ground grease interceptors. We know what rancid, congealed FOG looks like after months of neglect, and we know how to remove it completely.
Action Septic Service guarantees on time arrivals for scheduled cleanings. Miss your window and your next service is free. We also offer 24 hour emergency grease trap pumping for overflowing or backed up units that can’t wait.
You get a trusted, top rated septic contractor with transparent pricing. No hidden fees. No upselling. Just professional grease trap cleaning done right.
Signs You Need Grease Trap Cleaning
Grease trap cleaning is overdue when your commercial kitchen starts showing these five warning signs. Ignoring them leads to sanitary violations, costly repairs, and shutdowns.
Slow Draining Sinks and Floor Drains: When FOG accumulates past the baffle inside your grease interceptor, wastewater can’t separate properly. Greasy effluent backs up into the inlet pipe, and your kitchen sinks drain at a crawl. A saturated trap won’t process any more grease until a technician pumps it out.
Foul, Pungent Odors Near the Trap: Putrid smells coming from the area around your grease trap or cleanout indicate that organic solids inside the unit are decomposing anaerobically. The rancid, stagnant sludge produces hydrogen sulfide gas. That odor won’t go away with additives or enzymes alone. The trap needs a full cleaning.
Grease Visible in the Cleanout or Inspection Port: Open the riser lid or inspection port. If you see a thick, solidified scum layer sitting at or above the outlet pipe, the trap has exceeded its holding capacity. The FOG layer should never fill more than 25 percent of the unit’s total depth.
Overflowing Grease Trap or Overflow Alarm Activation: An overflowing grease interceptor sends unsanitary, contaminated wastewater across your kitchen floor or into the municipal sewer line. If your float switch triggers the overflow alarm, call for emergency pumping immediately.
Health Department Notices or Non Compliant Inspection Results: Regulatory agencies require routine grease trap maintenance. A non compliant inspection result means your pumping schedule has lapsed. Action Septic Service can get you back on track with same day grease trap cleaning and updated compliance records.
Our Grease Trap Cleaning Process
Grease trap cleaning is a systematic process our technicians follow on every service call to ensure thorough results and full regulatory compliance.
Step 1: Inspection and Assessment We locate the grease trap or grease interceptor, remove the riser lid or access riser, and inspect the scum layer, sludge depth, baffle condition, and effluent filter. We note the unit’s size and current FOG levels in our maintenance log.
Step 2: Pumping and Extraction Our vacuum truck connects to the unit and suctions out all liquefied grease, congealed FOG, wastewater, and settled sludge. We pump the trap completely. No material gets left behind.
Step 3: Scraping and Interior Cleaning After pumping, our crew scrapes the interior walls, baffles, and lid of any remaining greasy residue. We remove solidified buildup that the vacuum alone can’t extract.
Step 4: Hydro Jetting Connected Lines We hydro jet the inlet pipe, outlet pipe, and any connected drainpipes to flush away greasy biofilm and prevent blockages downstream in the lateral lines or distribution box.
Step 5: Reassembly and Documentation We reinstall the effluent filter, secure the riser lid, and test the unit with running water to confirm proper flow. You receive a completed maintenance log, disposal manifest, and your next recommended pumping schedule.
Brands We Use
Grease trap cleaning requires commercial grade equipment and professional products. Action Septic Service uses trusted, top rated brands to deliver reliable results on every job.
- Vac-Con
- GapVax
- US Jetting
- Spartan Too
- Watts
- Zurn
- Schier Products
- Canplas
- Bio-One
- Roebic
All products we use are non toxic, biodegradable where applicable, and approved for commercial and municipal wastewater systems.
Other Services
| grease trap cleaning | grease trap pumping | FOG removal service |
| grease interceptor cleaning | grease interceptor service | commercial kitchen grease removal |
| grease trap maintenance | grease trap servicing | restaurant grease trap pump out |
| grease trap cleaning near me | local grease trap service | scheduled grease trap pumping |
| commercial grease trap cleaning | industrial grease trap cleaning | grease trap compliance service |
FAQs About Grease Trap Cleaning
What is grease trap cleaning?
Grease trap cleaning is the process of pumping out accumulated fats oils and grease, sludge, and wastewater from a grease trap or grease interceptor. A septic technician uses a vacuum truck to extract all contents, scrapes the interior surfaces, and hydro jets the connected drainpipes to restore full function.
When should I schedule grease trap cleaning?
Most commercial kitchens need grease trap cleaning every 30 to 90 days. High volume restaurants and food processing facilities may need monthly service. Your local health department sets the minimum frequency, and your maintenance log tracks when the next pumping is due.
Why does my grease trap smell so bad?
A pungent, rancid odor means organic solids inside the trap are decomposing in anaerobic conditions. The stagnant sludge and congealed FOG produce sulfur gases. A full pump out and interior cleaning eliminates the odor at its source.
How long does professional grease trap cleaning take?
A standard grease trap cleaning takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on the unit’s size and condition. Large in ground grease interceptors with heavy FOG accumulation may take longer. Our crew works efficiently to minimize disruption to your kitchen operations.
Can I clean my grease trap myself?
You can skim surface grease between professional cleanings, but full grease trap cleaning requires a vacuum truck, proper disposal at a licensed facility, and compliance documentation. A qualified waste hauler like Action Septic Service handles all of this for you.
Does grease trap cleaning include the drain lines?
Yes. Action Septic Service hydro jets the inlet pipe, outlet pipe, and connected drainpipes as part of every grease trap cleaning visit. This flushes greasy biofilm and prevents blockages that cause backups downstream.