Sort those Septic Tanks and Grease Traps Before Summer Arrives

Summer is just around the corner for us, and November is the perfect time to make sure that things are in working order before the rush up to Christmas begins. 

Getting your septic tank or grease trap cleared and checked might not be at the top of your to-do list, but believe us when we tell you that if either stops working on you, it soon will be!

Restaurant, bar and cafe owners know full well that they get significantly more business over the summer months. It’s critical to keep commercial kitchens running at full capacity at this time, and this is impossible without a working grease trap. Without regular cleaning, the contents of a grease trap eventually calcify, stopping water from passing through. Once this happens, the kitchen will become unsanitary and is at risk of attracting rodents or even flooding.

Fines, lost business and health risks can all be prevented by having your grease trap cleaned before the summer rush starts – just make sure that the service provider also checks to confirm everything is in working order once the cleaning is done. If grease traps are cleared but their outlet lines have not been cleaned and they remain blocked with grease, drainage problems will continue. After the first clean, setting up a regular maintenance plan (every 6-12 months depending on usage) will ensure that your grease trap will continue to get serviced without you having to think about it. 

Many baches, holiday homes and primary homes in rural areas run on septic tanks, and as families gather for vacations or staycations over the Christmas and New Year period, the demand on tanks can get heavy. Without periodic clearing, the effluent content in a septic tank starts to thicken, causing tanks to become blocked. The toilet will stop working and there is also a risk of sewage backing up, or overflowing from the tank’s drainage system – all highly undesirable summer holiday interruptions. 

Getting your septic tank cleaned before the holidays is the best way to ensure this doesn’t happen. It is not safe to try and clean your septic tank yourself – this needs to be done by a professional with proper equipment and PPE gear. There are a variety of septic tank models, and it’s good to ensure that the company you use are familiar with your property’s model. 

As well as clearing the tank’s contents, the service should include checking the tank for cracks and that the inlet and outlet pipes are flowing. After the clean, it is important that a small amount of water is left behind in the tank. The bacteria which break down the tank’s contents require water to regrow, and if the tank is left dry they may need to be replaced. Once your septic tank has been serviced, putting it on a regular maintenance plan means you won’t have to worry about blockages again. Depending on the model and the number of occupants, your septic tank will need to be cleared roughly every 2 years.

Drain Ninjas have over 15 years of experience in vacuum loading services, and are experts in grease trap and septic tank cleaning. For any advice send us an email or give us a call on 0800 4 NINJA 0800 115 095.