Every commercial kitchen relies on a properly functioning grease trap to prevent fats, oils, and grease from entering the drainage system.
At Clark Drainage, we provide professional grease trap cleaning services to restaurants, hotels, takeaways, and food service establishments across the UK. Our experienced engineers ensure your grease trap remains compliant, efficient, and free from blockages.
Failing to maintain your grease trap can lead to serious consequences including blocked drains, foul odours, pest infestations, and environmental pollution. Our regular grease trap emptying service keeps your kitchen running smoothly while ensuring you meet all legal requirements and environmental regulations.
What is a Grease Trap?
A grease trap, also known as a grease interceptor or grease recovery device, is a plumbing fixture designed to intercept fats, oils, and grease before they enter the wastewater system. Installed in the drainage line from kitchen sinks, dishwashers, and other equipment, the grease trap allows wastewater to flow through while capturing grease and food solids.
Grease traps work on a simple principle: fats and oils are lighter than water, so they float to the surface inside the trap while heavier food particles sink to the bottom. The relatively clean water in the middle flows out to the sewer. Over time, the accumulated grease and solids build up and must be removed through professional grease trap cleaning.
Without regular emptying, the grease trap becomes overwhelmed. Fats, oils, and grease escape into the drainage system, causing blockages, bad smells, and potential environmental damage. This is why grease trap maintenance is not just recommended but legally required for most food service businesses.
Why Grease Trap Cleaning is Essential
Legal Compliance and Regulations
Under the Water Industry Act 1991 and environmental regulations, businesses that discharge trade effluent containing fats, oils, and grease must have adequate pre-treatment in place. Local water authorities can issue enforcement notices, fines, and even prosecution for businesses that allow grease to enter the public sewer system.
Regular grease trap servicing demonstrates your commitment to compliance and provides documentation that may be required during inspections. Our service includes a waste transfer note for every collection, giving you complete peace of mind and an audit trail for environmental health officers.
Preventing Drain Blockages
Grease is one of the leading causes of drain blockages in commercial properties. When fats, oils, and grease cool in your pipes, they solidify and accumulate, eventually causing complete blockages. These blockages can affect not just your premises but neighbouring properties and the public sewer network.
Professional grease trap emptying removes accumulated grease before it can escape into your drainage system. This preventative maintenance is far more cost-effective than emergency drain unblocking and potential compensation claims from affected neighbours.
Eliminating Foul Odours
A neglected grease trap quickly becomes a source of unpleasant smells. As trapped grease and food waste decompose, they produce hydrogen sulphide and other foul-smelling gases. These odours can permeate your kitchen, dining areas, and even neighbouring premises.
Regular cleaning eliminates the source of these bad smells, creating a more pleasant environment for your staff and customers. A clean grease trap also reduces the risk of pest infestations, as accumulated grease attracts rats, cockroaches, and flies.
Maintaining Drainage Efficiency
A full or poorly maintained grease trap restricts water flow, causing slow-draining sinks and backing up in your kitchen. This can disrupt food preparation, create hygiene issues, and potentially force temporary closure during busy service periods.
Our grease trap cleaning service restores full flow capacity, ensuring your kitchen drainage operates at peak efficiency. We also inspect the trap condition during each visit, identifying any damage or wear before it causes problems.
Our Grease Trap Cleaning Process
Initial Assessment
When you contact Clark Drainage for grease trap services, we begin with a thorough assessment of your requirements. We identify the type, size, and location of your grease trap, assess current condition, and determine the appropriate cleaning frequency based on your kitchen’s output.
For new customers, we can also advise on grease trap installation if your current system is inadequate or non-existent. Many older commercial kitchens lack proper grease management, and we can recommend the right grease trap size for your operation.
Professional Emptying
Our trained technicians arrive in fully equipped tanker vehicles designed for grease trap emptying. Using powerful vacuum equipment, we remove all contents from your grease trap including the floating grease layer, settled solids, and wastewater.
We take care to minimise disruption to your business, working around your service times where possible. The entire emptying process typically takes 30-60 minutes depending on trap size and accessibility.
Thorough Cleaning
Unlike some providers who simply pump out the liquid contents, we provide comprehensive grease trap cleaning. After emptying, we thoroughly clean the interior surfaces, remove any hardened grease deposits, and ensure all baffles and components are clear.
This thorough approach extends the time between services and ensures your grease trap operates at maximum efficiency. We also check inlet and outlet pipes for any grease accumulation that could restrict flow.
Inspection and Reporting
Every service visit includes a visual inspection of your grease trap. We check for cracks, corrosion, damaged seals, and worn components that could compromise performance. Any issues are reported immediately so you can arrange repairs before problems escalate.
You receive a detailed service report documenting the work completed, trap condition, and recommendations for ongoing maintenance. This documentation supports your compliance records and helps you plan future servicing.
Waste Disposal
All grease and waste we collect is transported to licensed treatment facilities for proper disposal. We provide a waste transfer note for every collection as required by law, ensuring complete traceability and compliance with waste regulations.
Our disposal methods meet all environmental standards. The collected grease is typically processed into biofuels or other useful products, making our service not just compliant but environmentally responsible.
Types of Grease Traps We Service
Passive Grease Traps
Also known as gravity grease interceptors, passive grease traps are the most common type found in commercial kitchens. They rely on gravity to separate grease from water and are available in various sizes from small under-sink units to large in-ground interceptors.
We service passive grease traps of all sizes, from compact units handling a single sink to large interceptors serving entire food production facilities. Regular emptying is essential as these traps have limited storage capacity.
Automatic Grease Recovery Units
Automatic grease removal devices, sometimes called GRUs or automatic grease traps, use heating elements and skimming mechanisms to continuously remove grease. While they require less frequent emptying than passive traps, they still need regular professional maintenance.
Our technicians are trained to service all major brands of automatic grease recovery equipment. We clean collection containers, check heating elements, inspect skimming mechanisms, and ensure automatic operation is functioning correctly.
In-Ground Interceptors
Large commercial operations often use in-ground grease interceptors installed outside the building. These high-capacity units can hold hundreds or thousands of litres and are common at large restaurants, food processing facilities, and shopping centre food courts.
We have tanker vehicles capable of emptying even the largest in-ground interceptors. Our equipment includes long-reach hoses and powerful pumps to handle challenging access situations.
Under-Sink Grease Traps
Smaller food service operations may have compact under-sink grease traps. While these units are easier to access, they have limited capacity and require more frequent emptying to prevent overflow.
We offer flexible scheduling for under-sink trap cleaning, including weekly or fortnightly visits for high-volume operations. Our technicians work efficiently to minimise disruption in busy kitchen environments.
Grease Trap Cleaning Frequency
How often your grease trap needs emptying depends on several factors including trap size, kitchen output, and the types of food you prepare. As a general guide:
High-volume restaurants and fast food outlets typically need weekly or fortnightly grease trap cleaning. The combination of deep frying, grilling, and high customer throughput generates significant grease volumes.
Standard restaurants and cafes usually require monthly grease trap emptying. This applies to most sit-down restaurants with moderate kitchen activity.
Low-volume operations such as small cafes, sandwich shops, and coffee shops may only need grease trap servicing every six to eight weeks.
Industrial food production facilities have variable requirements depending on processes and output. We assess each facility individually and recommend appropriate schedules.
The key indicator is grease trap capacity. Most manufacturers and regulations recommend emptying when the trap reaches 25% grease accumulation. Waiting until the trap is full risks grease escaping into the drainage system and potential compliance issues.
We monitor trap fill levels at each visit and adjust cleaning schedules as needed. If your operation changes, perhaps due to seasonal variations or menu changes, we adapt our service frequency accordingly.
Industries We Serve
Restaurants and Cafes
From fine dining establishments to casual eateries, restaurants generate substantial amounts of fats, oils, and grease. Our scheduled grease trap cleaning keeps restaurant kitchens compliant and drainage systems flowing freely.
Hotels and Hospitality
Hotel kitchens serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and room service produce continuous grease waste. We provide reliable scheduled services that integrate with your operational requirements, often servicing during quiet periods to avoid disruption.
Takeaways and Fast Food
Fish and chip shops, fried chicken outlets, Chinese takeaways, and other fast food businesses produce high volumes of cooking oil and grease. These operations often need the most frequent grease trap cleaning schedules.
Pubs and Bars
Pub kitchens serving food alongside drinks require grease trap maintenance like any commercial kitchen. We service pubs across the UK, understanding the unique scheduling requirements of the licensed trade.
Schools and Universities
Educational establishments with catering facilities must maintain grease traps to protect drainage infrastructure. We offer term-time scheduling and can coordinate with facilities management teams.
Hospitals and Healthcare
Healthcare facility kitchens require reliable grease trap services with minimal disruption to critical operations. Our teams understand the sensitive nature of healthcare environments and work accordingly
Food Manufacturing
Food production facilities often have complex grease management requirements including multiple traps and interceptors. We provide comprehensive service packages for industrial food operations.
Shopping Centres and Food Courts
Multiple food outlets sharing drainage infrastructure create significant grease management challenges. We can coordinate services across multiple tenants or provide centralised interceptor maintenance.
Signs Your Grease Trap Needs Cleaning
Slow Draining Sinks
If your kitchen sinks are draining slowly, a full grease trap is often the cause. As the trap fills, there’s less space for water to flow through, creating backups throughout your drainage system.
Unpleasant Odours
Foul smells emanating from drains or the grease trap itself indicate accumulated waste that needs removing. These odours worsen over time and can affect customer areas if not addressed.
Visible Grease Accumulation
If you can see a thick layer of grease when you open your trap inspection cover, it needs emptying. Ideally, you should never let accumulation reach visible levels.
Overflowing or Backing Up
An overflowing grease trap is an emergency requiring immediate attention. If wastewater is backing up into sinks or onto floors, call us for emergency grease trap emptying.
Increased Pest Activity
Flies, cockroaches, and rodents are attracted to grease trap contents. If you notice increased pest activity near your kitchen drainage, an overdue grease trap cleaning may be the cause.
Grease Trap Installation
If your commercial kitchen lacks a grease trap, or your existing unit is undersized or damaged beyond repair, Clark Drainage can install new grease management equipment.
We assess your kitchen layout, drainage configuration, and expected grease output to recommend the appropriate grease trap type and size. Our installations comply with Building Regulations and water authority requirements.
Installation options include:
- Under-sink grease traps for smaller operations or as supplementary units
- Floor-mounted grease traps for medium-sized kitchens
- In-ground grease interceptors for high-volume operations
- Automatic grease recovery units for reduced maintenance requirements
All installations include guidance on operation and maintenance, plus we can set up a scheduled cleaning programme from day one.
Grease Trap Repairs
During routine cleaning visits, our technicians may identify grease trap damage requiring repair. Common issues include:
- Cracked or corroded tanks allowing grease to escape
- Damaged inlet or outlet baffles reducing separation efficiency
- Worn seals causing leaks
- Blocked or damaged vent pipes
- Deteriorated covers creating safety hazards
We can arrange repairs for most grease trap issues, restoring your unit to full working condition. For severely damaged traps, we’ll recommend replacement and can provide installation quotes.
Emergency Grease Trap Services
Grease trap emergencies don’t wait for convenient times. When you face an overflowing trap, severe blockage, or compliance emergency, Clark Drainage provides rapid response grease trap cleaning.
Our emergency service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We understand that a grease trap emergency can force kitchen closure, costing your business money with every hour of downtime.
Call our emergency line and we’ll dispatch a tanker to your location as quickly as possible. Our teams carry the equipment needed to handle most situations immediately, getting your kitchen back in operation fast.
Grease Trap Maintenance Plans
For predictable costs and reliable service, we offer grease trap maintenance contracts tailored to your business needs. Contract benefits include:
- Scheduled visits at agreed frequencies ensuring you never miss a cleaning
- Priority response for any emergency situations
- Fixed pricing with no hidden charges or surprises
- Compliance documentation maintained and provided automatically
- Condition monitoring with recommendations for repairs or upgrades
- Flexible scheduling around your business hours
Our maintenance plans range from basic scheduled emptying to comprehensive packages including inspections, minor repairs, and 24/7 emergency cover. We’ll work with you to create a plan that matches your operational requirements and budget.
Environmental Responsibility
Improper disposal of fats, oils, and grease causes significant environmental damage. Grease entering waterways depletes oxygen levels, harms aquatic life, and creates unsightly pollution. Sewer blockages caused by grease can result in raw sewage overflows affecting public health and the environment.
By maintaining your grease trap properly, you’re playing a vital role in protecting local waterways and the environment. Every litre of grease we collect is diverted from the sewer system and processed responsibly.
We’re committed to environmental best practice in all our operations. Our collected grease goes to licensed facilities where it’s converted into useful products including biodiesel and animal feed supplements. Nothing goes to landfill.
Compliance and Documentation
Water Authority Requirements
Water companies throughout the UK require food service businesses to prevent fats, oils, and grease from entering the public sewer. Failure to comply can result in enforcement action, fines, and charges for sewer cleaning.
Our grease trap cleaning service helps you meet these requirements. We provide documentation of every service visit, demonstrating your commitment to proper grease management.
Environmental Health
Local authority environmental health officers may inspect your grease management arrangements as part of food hygiene assessments. A well-maintained grease trap and documented service history demonstrate good practice.
We can provide compliance certificates and service records for inspection purposes. Our documentation meets the requirements of major food industry accreditation schemes.
Waste Transfer Notes
Every grease trap emptying we perform includes a waste transfer note as required by law. This document records the waste type, quantity, and destination, creating a complete audit trail from your premises to the disposal facility.
We retain copies of all waste transfer notes and can provide duplicates if needed for your records. This documentation is essential for demonstrating proper waste management to regulators and auditors.
Grease Trap Cleaning Costs
Grease trap cleaning costs depend on several factors:
- Trap size and type affect the time and equipment required
- Location and accessibility influence service logistics
- Cleaning frequency determines per-visit pricing
- Contract arrangements may provide discounted rates
We provide transparent, fixed-price quotations before any work begins. There are no hidden charges or unexpected fees. For regular scheduled services, we offer competitive contract rates that reduce your per-service costs.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote. We’ll assess your requirements and provide a detailed breakdown of costs for your grease trap maintenance programme.
Service Coverage
Clark Drainage provides grease trap cleaning services across the UK. Our tanker fleet and network of experienced technicians means we can service commercial kitchens from Scotland to the South Coast.
We operate in all major cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Bristol, and throughout Greater London and surrounding areas. Rural and smaller town locations are also covered, with our scheduling team optimising routes for efficient service delivery.
Why Choose Clark Drainage for Grease Trap Cleaning?
Experienced and Qualified Technicians
Our grease trap cleaning teams have extensive experience across all types of commercial kitchen installations. They’re trained in safe working practices, waste handling regulations, and customer service excellence.
Fully Equipped Service Vehicles
Our tanker fleet includes vehicles of various capacities to match any grease trap size. All vehicles carry the pumps, hoses, and cleaning equipment needed to complete jobs thoroughly.
Flexible Scheduling
We work around your business hours to minimise disruption. Early morning, evening, and weekend appointments are available to suit your operational requirements.
Reliable and Punctual
When we schedule a grease trap service, we turn up on time. Our routing systems and experienced schedulers ensure reliable service delivery you can depend on.
Complete Compliance Support
From waste transfer notes to service certificates, we provide all the documentation you need to demonstrate compliance. Our admin team can prepare records for inspections at short notice.
Competitive Pricing
We offer fair, transparent pricing for all grease trap services. Contract customers benefit from reduced rates and predictable monthly costs.
24/7 Emergency Response
Grease trap emergencies can happen anytime. Our emergency response team is available around the clock to handle urgent situations and get your kitchen back in operation.
Book Your Grease Trap Cleaning
Don’t wait for a grease trap emergency to disrupt your business. Contact Clark Drainage today to arrange professional grease trap cleaning for your commercial kitchen.
Whether you need a one-off emptying, regular scheduled maintenance, or emergency response, we’re here to help. Our team will assess your requirements and recommend the right service plan for your operation.
Call now for a free quote: 0808 164 0776
Available 24/7 | Nationwide Coverage | All Commercial Kitchens
Grease Traps Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a grease trap be cleaned?
Most commercial kitchens need grease trap cleaning every one to four weeks depending on size and usage. High-volume operations like fast food outlets often need weekly service, while lower-volume cafes may only need monthly emptying. We assess your specific situation and recommend an appropriate schedule.
What happens if I don’t clean my grease trap?
Neglected grease traps cause blocked drains, foul odours, pest problems, and potential environmental pollution. You may also face enforcement action from your water company and local authority, including fines and prosecution in serious cases.
Can I clean my grease trap myself?
While you can perform basic maintenance like skimming surface grease, professional emptying is required to remove all accumulated waste properly. DIY disposal of grease trap contents is illegal without proper waste carrier licensing and disposal arrangements.
How long does grease trap cleaning take?
A typical service visit takes 30-60 minutes depending on trap size and accessibility. We work efficiently to minimise disruption to your business operations.
Do you provide waste transfer notes?
Yes, we provide a waste transfer note for every grease trap emptying as required by law. This documents the waste type, quantity, and licensed disposal destination.
What size grease trap do I need?
Grease trap sizing depends on your kitchen equipment, water flow rates, and expected grease volumes. We can assess your kitchen and recommend appropriate sizing for new installations or upgrades.
Can you service automatic grease traps?
Yes, we service all types of grease management equipment including automatic grease recovery units. Our technicians are trained on all major brands and models.
Do you offer emergency grease trap cleaning?
Yes, our emergency service operates 24/7 for urgent situations including overflowing traps and compliance emergencies. Call our main number and select the emergency option for rapid response.
What areas do you cover?
We provide grease trap cleaning services nationwide across the UK, including all major cities and surrounding areas. Contact us to confirm coverage for your location.
How much does grease trap cleaning cost?
Costs vary based on trap size, location, and service frequency. We provide free, no-obligation quotes tailored to your specific requirements. Contract customers benefit from reduced per-service rates.
