Grease Trap Management

Professional grease trap cleaning, emptying, and planned maintenance for commercial and industrial sites across the UK

What Is a Grease Trap – and Why Does It Need Regular Maintenance?

A grease trap (also known as a grease interceptor or grease recovery unit) is a drainage device installed within the wastewater system of commercial kitchens, food processing facilities, and other commercial premises where fats, oils, and grease (FOG) are produced. Its function is to intercept FOG before it enters the main drainage network — preventing the build-up of solidified grease in pipework and the wider sewer system.

Without regular maintenance, grease traps quickly become ineffective. As grease accumulates, the trap loses capacity and begins allowing FOG to pass through into the drainage system — leading to blockages, foul odours, hygiene issues, and potential regulatory breaches. In severe cases, an overloaded grease trap can become a fire hazard.

Regular, professional grease trap cleaning and emptying is not just good practice — for many commercial operators, it is a legal requirement under their trade effluent consent or environmental permit.

Discharging untreated FOG into the public sewer network is an offence under the Water Industry Act 1991. Commercial operators found in breach can face significant fines and enforcement action from their water company.

Our Grease Trap Management Service

Drain Alert provides a complete grease trap management service for commercial and industrial operators across the UK. Our service covers both passive (manual) and mechanical (automatic) grease traps, and is available on a planned maintenance contract basis or as a one-off clean.

Our grease trap management service includes:

  • Grease trap emptying and cleaning: Full pump-out and thorough cleaning of the trap chamber, including removal of solidified grease, sludge, and wastewater. We leave the unit clean, functional, and ready for continued use
  • Inspection and condition assessment: Each visit includes a visual inspection of the trap’s condition, integrity, and performance — with any issues reported to you clearly and promptly
  • High-pressure jetting of connecting pipework: Where grease build-up has extended into the pipework downstream of the trap, we use high-pressure water jetting to clear and descale the affected pipes
  • Waste disposal and consignment documentation: All waste recovered from grease traps is classified as liquid hazardous waste and must be disposed of by a licensed carrier. Drain Alert handles this correctly and provides full consignment note documentation for your records
  • Service reports and compliance records: We provide a written service report after every visit, giving you a clear maintenance record that demonstrates compliance to your water company, environmental health officers, or food safety inspectors
  • Planned maintenance programmes: We work with you to establish a cleaning frequency appropriate to the volume and type of your operation — typically quarterly, monthly, or more frequently for high-output kitchens. A planned programme ensures your grease trap never reaches a point of failure or non-compliance

Who Needs Grease Trap Management?

Any commercial or industrial premises that produces fats, oils, or grease as part of its operations is likely to require a grease trap — and will need that trap maintained regularly. Our service is used by clients across a wide range of sectors, including:

  • Restaurants, cafes, and takeaways: High-volume food preparation environments that generate significant FOG on a daily basis
  • Hotels and hospitality venues: Large commercial kitchens serving multiple services per day require frequent grease trap maintenance to remain compliant and odour-free
  • Contract catering and event facilities: Sites serving large numbers of covers, often with fluctuating demand and complex drainage arrangements
  • Schools, colleges, and universities: Educational establishments with on-site catering facilities and duties of care around food hygiene and drainage compliance
  • Food manufacturing and processing facilities: Industrial-scale food production sites where FOG volumes are high and environmental compliance obligations are stringent
  • Care homes and healthcare facilities: Sites providing on-site catering where hygiene standards are paramount and maintenance records are subject to inspection
  • Retail food operators and supermarkets: In-store preparation areas, bakeries, and hot food counters generating regular FOG discharge

The Cost of Neglecting Your Grease Trap

A poorly maintained grease trap creates a cascade of problems that can be both costly and damaging to your business. The consequences of inadequate grease trap management include:

Drain blockages

FOG passing through an overloaded trap will solidify in downstream pipework, leading to blockages that disrupt operations and require expensive reactive clearance

Foul odours

Decomposing grease produces hydrogen sulphide and other malodorous gases that can permeate kitchen and service areas — creating an unpleasant environment for staff and customers

Pest attraction

The warm, fatty environment of a neglected grease trap is highly attractive to rodents and insects, creating a significant pest risk within your premises

Fire hazard

In extreme cases, heavily grease-laden traps in proximity to heat sources present a fire risk that could endanger your premises and invalidate your insurance

Failed environmental health inspections

Evidence of poor drain maintenance and FOG management can result in failed inspections, improvement notices, and reputational damage

Water company enforcement

Discharging FOG in excess of permitted levels can result in a formal notice, significant fines, or prosecution under the Water Industry Act

A planned maintenance programme with Drain Alert means none of these risks ever have to materialise. We keep your grease trap clean, compliant, and fully documented — so you can focus on running your business.

When Do You Need a CCTV Drain Survey?

A CCTV drain survey is a valuable tool in a wide range of commercial and industrial situations. Common reasons our clients commission a survey include:

Licensed Waste Carrier

All FOG waste is removed and disposed of by a licensed carrier, with full consignment documentation provided on every visit.

Planned Maintenance Programmes

Tailored cleaning schedules based on your operation’s output — ensuring your grease trap is always in compliance.

Full Service Documentation

Written reports after every visit give you a clear audit trail for environmental health, food safety, and water company requirements.

Mechanical & Passive Traps

We service and maintain both manual and automatic grease recovery units across all sizes and configurations.

Commercial & Industrial Specialists

We work exclusively with commercial and industrial operators, bringing relevant, sector-specific expertise to every job.

UK-Wide Coverage

Our grease trap management service is available to businesses across the whole of the United Kingdom.

Get in Touch

Whether you need a one-off grease trap clean or want to set up a planned maintenance programme for your site, get in touch with the Drain Alert team today. We will assess your requirements and recommend a service frequency that keeps your operation fully compliant and problem-free.