Indoor Grease Trap Cleaning Cost
Indoor GT Maintenance Cost
The cost to clean a grease trap (GT) or grease interceptor (GI) is based on the condition of the device. Units that have been properly maintained and cleaned on a regular basis will be less costly versus a device that have been neglected. Factors such as FOGS content and accessibility can affect price of service. The cost to pump and clean a indoor grease trap that has been maintaned reguarly can average from $175 - $475. Grease traps that have not been serviced and maintained regularly can cost up to triple the normal price.
Outdoor Grease Interceptor Cleaning Cost
Outdoor GI Maintenance Cost
Similar to a grease trap, a grease interceptor must be maintained and cleaned regularly to prevent blockage and keep in compliance. Grease interceptor pumping cost for a scheduled maintenance can range from $325 - $950 if the FOGS content is within the allowed limits. Grease interceptors that have not been cleaned and serviced regularly will typically have higher FOGS content and will take more time to service which can cause the cleaning service to increase.
How Often Should I Clean My Grease Trap?
Due to its small size, indoor grease traps are cleaned every month. To properly clean a grease trap, all content must be removed and disposed correctly. Mechanical grease traps have skimmers to remove the grease, but it will still need to be emptied completely to remove settled solids.
Now Often Should I Clean An Outdoor Grease Interceptor?
Most outdoor interceptors for an average restaurant are usually serviced every quarter to prevent sewer contamination and harsh odor from arising. Though, majority of city regulates for best management practice GI's are to be serviced every 3 months to stay within their guidelines of protecting city sanitation sewer line.
Rising Cost of Grease Pumping Service
With tighter and stricter regulations in fats, oils, grease and solid waste disposal the cost of cleaning has gone up drastically. Grease traps and interceptors that have high percentage of FOGS waste can cost more than triple the normal prices due to disposal and labor cost. To prevent high surcharge, it is highly suggested to be on a scheduled maintenance plan keeping your FOGS level from exceeding the 25% grease and solid content.
Skimming a Grease Trap
Grease traps and interceptors must be fully pumped out removing all floating grease, waste water, and settled solids. Improper cleaning or skimming only the floating grease will cause the settled food solids to solidify which can be costly to clean up in the future.
How To Avoid Costly Grease Trap & Grease Interceptor Cleaning Service?
If you have noticed a price increase in grease interceptor or grease trap cleaning service, you are not alone. Due to stricter regulations and limited waste water treatment plant, cleaning services for these devices have noticeably took an upward direction drastically; specially for ones that have high content of grease and food solids. Devices exceeding the maximum allowable FOGS content and that are not on a maintained regularly will see a higher initial pumping service price followed lower quarterly service maintenance plan. In order to maintain lower cost of grease trap or interceptor pumping it’s important to stay within the BMP guidelines of maintaining the device regularly and not going over 25% of FOGS content. As a rule of thumb, large outdoor grease interceptors to be cleaned quarterly and indoor traps to be cleaned every month.