Why Is My Grease Trap Always Full After Cleaning?
This is one of the most common questions we get after a grease trap service. Customers open the trap, see it full of liquid, and assume it hasn't been cleaned. In almost every case, it has.
This is one of the most common questions we get after a grease trap service. Customers open the trap, see it full of liquid, and assume it hasn't been cleaned. In almost every case, it has.
A grease trap is always full of water — that's normal
A grease trap works by being full of water. During a service, the technician pumps out all the liquid and grease, scrapes down the sides and bottom, then the trap refills with clean water. This is how it is supposed to look after a service.
From that point, grease and fats gradually build up again as your kitchen operates. If you look in the trap a day or two after cleaning, you may already see a thin layer of grease floating on top — this is completely normal in a busy kitchen and does not mean the service wasn't done.
How can I tell if it was actually cleaned?
The best indicators are your service records and compliance reports. In Sydney, your nominated transporter scans a barcode at your site each time a service is performed and this is recorded directly with Sydney Water. In other states, Waster provides an invoice as proof of service which you should keep on file.
If you have concerns about a specific service, contact us on 1300 927 837 and we will check the records for you.
When should I be concerned?
If your trap smells strongly, drains are running slowly, or you can see grease pushing back up through sinks — these are signs the trap may be overdue for a clean or approaching capacity ahead of schedule. Contact your service provider rather than waiting for the next scheduled visit.