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Put Down the Plunger: Knowing When It’s Time to Hire a Professional for Grease Trap Cleaning

Let’s face it—businesses don’t have time to worry about a blocked grease trap. You’ve got customers who need to be served, orders to fill, and orders to be cooked. So when a grease trap clogs and brings your kitchen (or other business) to a grinding halt, chances are you’re reaching for the nearest plunger and hoping for the best. But sometimes, it’s time to admit that your plunger is no match for that clog. That’s when it’s time to call a professional like Rochester Drain-Rite.

What is a Grease Trap?

Grease traps are an essential part of keeping any business running smoothly. Any grease or oils that go down the drain can quickly build up and cause clogging in your pipes. But what exactly is a grease trap?


A grease trap, also known as an interceptor, is a device installed beneath sinks, dishwashers, and floor drains that collects fat, oil, and grease. This collected gunk is prevented from entering the plumbing system, and if properly maintained, should be able to keep your business functioning without interruption.


Now that you know a bit more about grease traps, let’s look at the signs that it might be time to take your plunger out of the equation and bring a professional in.

It’s Grease Trap Cleaning Time: 6 Signs You Need A Professional

Whether you own or operate a restaurant or full-service commercial kitchen, it’s essential to know when you need help cleaning and maintaining your grease trap. Grease build-up is common in commercial kitchens, and regular cleaning is necessary to keep your kitchen flowing smoothly. Here are six signs to look out for when it’s time to call in a grease trap cleaning professional.


1. Foul Smells Coming from the Grease Trap

One of the tell-tale signs of a clogged and dirty grease trap is an unpleasant smell. If you notice rotten eggs or sewage smell coming from the grease trap, it’s time to call in a professional. Grease traps can accumulate a lot of bacteria and odor-causing agents if left unchecked for too long.

2. Frequent Grease Trap Overflow

Having the occasional overflow from your grease trap is not necessarily a sign that you need professional help. The occasional overflow is often caused by excess grease from the kitchen, which is simple to stave off with regular maintenance and cleaning. However, if you are noticing frequent overflows on a consistent basis, it could be a sign of a more serious problem. In this case, it’s important to call in professionals to assess the state of your grease trap and come up with a plan of action.


3. Standing Wastewater

When you open the lid of your grease trap and notice standing wastewater, it’s a surefire sign that you need professional help. This is one of the clearest signs that the organic material and solids in the water have reached an unmanageable level, and need to be broken down by a professional.


4. Grease Build-up Outdoors

If you run a restaurant or full-service kitchen, you may have noticed grease build-up on the ground near the grease trap. While it may be easy to ignore, this is your first indication that the grease trap has become overloaded and needs maintenance. It’s essential to have a grease trap specialist come in to avoid property damage, health and safety risks, and costly fines. 

5. Low Pressure at Kitchen Sink

Grease traps are placed between the main sink and the plumbing sewer line. If the grease trap is clogged and needs cleaning, it can cause the pressure at the kitchen sink to drop dramatically. If this happens, it’s important to call in a professional as soon as possible as this could be a sign of a much more serious problem.


6. Gurgling Sounds From the Drains

If you hear gurgling sounds coming from your drains, it’s a sure sign you need to call in a grease trap specialist. This could be a sign that the pipes leading to the sewer line are backed up, thus causing the gurgling noises. It probably goes without saying, but gurgling isn’t the ideal sound for a professional kitchen!

How We Can Help

Those are a few key signs to look out for. Thankfully, if it’s time to call in a professional like Rochester Drain-Rite, experienced technicians are standing by and ready to help. From industrial kitchens to commercial restaurants, Rochester Drain-Rite offers expert grease trap cleaning services for any business.


Once one of our technicians arrives on-site, they will inspect your grease trap to determine the exact cause of the clog. Then they will safely remove any built-up flammable materials and clear any clogs to get your system running like new. This can help reduce the amount of maintenance required or the need for a costly upgrade.



No one likes dealing with clogged grease traps and finding the time to properly maintain and clean them can be difficult. If you’ve noticed any of the signs we discussed, it’s time to call in a professional. Don’t let blocked grease traps get in the way of your business. Contact Rochester Drain-Rite today at 507-288-2121 to set an appointment. Our experienced technicians are ready to get your grease trap in tip-top shape and keep your business running smoothly.

Clog-Free Farm Drains: Avoid The Most Common Reasons

February 25, 2023
Farm drains are a vital part of the drainage systems of most agricultural farms. With drains that run through fields, barns, and other outbuildings, farm drains help minimize water flow and prevent excess water or mud from collecting and turning fields into muddy messes. For these reasons, it is important that farm drains remain unobstructed so that water can flow freely. Unfortunately, clogs can occur over time, leading to water build-up and potentially catastrophic damage to farms. In this article, we explore the most common causes of farm drain clogs and discuss how to avoid them, as well as how Rochester Drain-Rite can provide farm drain maintenance services to help keep your farm's drains running smoothly.

Signs It's Time for Professional Drain Cleaning for Your Business

February 3, 2023
For business owners, keeping drains clear and clog-free is essential to the smooth running of their business. Over time, however, clogs can occur due to the accumulation of hair, dirt, soap residue, and other debris that can cause blockages. That can lead to slow-running or completely blocked drains which can be a major problem. In those cases, it’s important to know when it’s time to call in a professional to tackle the problem. Calling in an expert service for drain cleaning can help avoid more serious problems in the future. In this post, we'll outline the signs that indicate it’s time to call in a professional drain cleaning service. These can range from strange noises, slow-running drains, unpleasant odors, and, of course, standing water that just won't drain. By catching the problems early, a professional can help protect your business from further issues down the road.

Common Causes of Clogged Drains and How to Avoid Them

January 14, 2023
Are you dealing with a clogged drain in your home or office? Don't worry, you're not alone! Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing problems faced by homeowners and business owners alike. In this blog post, we'll look at some of the common causes of clogged drains and provide tips on how to avoid them in the future. By understanding what might be causing your clogged drain, you can take proactive steps to keep it flowing freely and avoid costly repairs down the road. So, let's get started!

9 Reasons Why Regular Barn Manure Line Cleaning Is a Must

January 11, 2023
Regular barn manure line cleaning is an important part of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for your animals. Not only can the build-up of manure cause unpleasant smells and create hazardous conditions, but it can also lead to expensive repairs or even illness in your livestock. Regular maintenance helps to ensure that the lines are clear of debris so that air can circulate properly and animals can remain healthy. Here are nine reasons why regular barn manure line cleaning is a must for any animal owner.

11 Surefire Ways to Avoid Clogged Drains and Keep Your Pipes Flowing

January 4, 2023
Nobody enjoys dealing with a clogged drain, but the time and frustration involved can be even worse. Thankfully, there are a few simple steps you can take to prevent your drains from becoming clogged. While there are many different causes for clogged pipes, such as foreign objects entering the pipes, indoor plumbing corrosion, or aging pipes, there are preventative measures and tips that you can take to avoid having to deal with a drain clog. In this blog post, we will be discussing 11 simple strategies that you can adopt to help keep your drains running smoothly. From proper waste disposal techniques to the regular use of a drain cleaner, you can easily implement some very effective practices that will keep your drains from becoming clogged. Keep reading to learn more about how to limit drain buildup and save yourself time and money by avoiding a clog.

The Top 10 Benefits of Professional Residential Drain Cleaning

December 28, 2022
When it comes to your home's plumbing system, nothing is more important than keeping your drains clean and clear. A clogged drain can wreak havoc on your plumbing, causing leaks and other damage that could be costly and time-consuming to repair. If you want to keep your drains running smoothly, professional residential drain cleaning is the way to go. Here are just some of the many benefits of working with a professional drain cleaning company:

The Importance of Regular Drain Cleaning

December 28, 2022
Your drains are an essential part of your home, and just like any other important piece of equipment, they need to be cleaned on a regular basis. If you don’t clean your drains on a regular basis, they will become clogged and cause all sorts of problems for you and your family. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of regular drain cleaning and provide some tips for how to clean your drains effectively.

10 Different Types of Plumbing Fixtures and Their Uses

December 11, 2022
Plumbing fixtures are an essential part of any home or commercial building, as they provide the necessary water and waste management systems. There are many different types of plumbing fixtures, each with its own unique purpose and function. In this blog, we will explore 10 different types of plumbing fixtures and their uses, so you can better understand the important role they play in your home or building.

14 Things That Should Not Go Down Your Drain

November 30, 2022
Do you know the dangers of pouring certain things down a drain? Although we may not think about it, doing so can cause serious problems with your pipes and plumbing over time. Over the years, we've seen it all - clogged drains, damaged kitchen appliances, and bathroom fixtures, rising water bills, and more. The good news is that most of these issues that stem from clogged drains and plumbing can be prevented in most instances by following a few simple rules and guidelines. As soon as water begins to drain slowly or doesn't drain at all, it is clear that you have a problem. There are a ton of things that people pour down their drains every day which can cause drainage issues. There are many common household items that can get caught in the pipes can clog your drains, but these should be disposed of in a sanitary way. Doing so will help prevent future plumbing problems as well as insect infestations in your home. If your drains smell, have slow-moving water, or are backing up, read this short article and find out what to do to save yourself the headache of a plumbing bill.

7 Signs That Your Drains Need Cleaning

November 11, 2022
We all want to avoid drain cleaning. It makes sense considering we want to avoid the hassle and potential mess that goes along with it. You're probably not even aware that some of the drains in your home need to be cleaned. And trust me when I say you do not want them clogged. Not only do they smell, but they also can become expensive to fix over time. And even worse is when the drains overflow and cause water damage to your house. If your drains aren't performing the way they should be, it can be caused by a number of reasons – from tree roots to foreign objects lodged in the sewer line. The problem could also be that you're doing something wrong at home. That's why you should check for signs of trouble and know when to call for professional drain cleaning services. Drain cleaning is a dirty job. Get it done right the first time by calling a professional.
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