Fats, oils, and greases (FOG) are natural byproducts of cooking. However, restaurants must dispose of these products safely and properly. Arrow Sewer & Drain offers drain repair and cleaning and other commercial plumbing services to help business owners throughout north and central New Jersey maintain the integrity of their systems. Here, we discuss FOG, how it affects grease traps, and how restaurant owners can prevent problems.
What Is FOG?
The acronym describes the various types of substances that may be poured into commercial kitchen sinks and drains. FOG is produced after cooking with ingredients like:
- Meat fat
- Butter or margarine
- Cooking oil
- Shortening
- Lard
- Gravy
- Sour cream
- Mayonnaise
- Salad dressings
How Does FOG Affect Grease Traps?
Generally, you should avoid pouring FOG into kitchen sinks, as it can have a serious impact on your system. As cooks dispose of FOG through drains, it can build up within sewage systems. When the fats, oils, and greases collect, a blockage may occur within sewer pipes. In turn, businesses may experience frequent pipe backups or contaminated wastewater.
Incorrectly disposing of FOG can also impact the surrounding environment. If pipes in your restaurant become too backed up, manholes and other municipal waterway entries may overflow and cause contaminated water to seep into public storm drains, parks, or streets. This might lead to contamination in local water supplies and can put communities at risk of public safety concerns.
How Do I Avoid Issues Related to Fats, Oils, and Grease?
When problems arise within sewage systems, restaurants may spend thousands of dollars dealing with plumbing emergencies. In addition, some states may have additional consequences for businesses that fail to maintain their sewage systems properly. For example, New Jersey restaurant owners may have to pay fines for impacting city sewage systems. For these reasons, understanding how to avoid FOG-related plumbing issues is essential. Other ways to prevent FOG buildup include:
Clean Sewage Systems Regularly
Sewage systems should be cleaned consistently to prevent FOG from building up. Contaminants must also be disposed of properly to avoid public health concerns. You can stay on top of cleaning by hiring sewage cleaning professionals like Arrow Sewer & Drain. Our drain repair and cleaning technicians clean sewage systems according to New Jersey State regulations. We work with your business to create a cleaning schedule that works best.
Have Systems Inspected and Repaired
Another element of proper sewage maintenance is to have systems inspected and repaired regularly. Not only is this required by New Jersey Department of Health regulations, but it also keeps sewage systems working efficiently. The time between inspections can vary depending on the type and size of the sewage system. However, most systems should be inspected and cleaned every one to three years. Arrow Sewer & Drain has a sewer scope and camera to assist with inspections.
Understand Proper FOG Disposal Techniques
The first step in understanding proper FOG disposal is having the right tools. For example, all sinks should have a grease interceptor, which separates and removes FOG from waste before it reaches municipal systems. Next, restaurants must obtain a FOG control license from the New Jersey Health Department. To earn one, you must achieve certifications and pay fees. This is where many restaurant owners learn about FOG safety.
Find Grease Trap Cleaning Services at Arrow Sewer & Drain
Restaurant owners across north and central New Jersey, including Somerset and Middlesex counties, can find grease trap cleaning and related services from Arrow Sewer & Drain. Our family-owned business has over 15 years of experience providing quality, efficient services. We can help restaurants achieve safer, better cleaning practices using state-of-the-art equipment. To learn more about grease trap cleaning, contact us today.
