At Degler Waste Services, we specialize in all kinds of waste removal. We want to help you keep your septic system in the best possible condition, and we believe that people can take better care of these vital components if they understand how they operate. One component of septic systems that can cause confusion is the grease trap, so in this article, we will provide an overview of what grease traps are and how they work.
In a septic system, solid waste sinks to the bottom of the tank and remains there to be broken down, while liquid wastes pass through to the drain field to be filtered and ultimately released back into the soil. However, there are some liquid wastes that are not water based and cannot be allowed to enter the drain field. Fats, oils, and grease are lighter than water and thus float on top of it, and grease traps are what prevent these food byproducts from entering the drain field or sanitation system.
The majority of grease traps are known as passive or gravity-based traps, meaning that they don’t need electrical components but instead rely on gravity in order to work. In a grease trap, wastewater from the sink flows in from a pipe at the top of the septic tank. Over time, the waste separates into its various components: solid waste at the bottom, water and effluent in the middle, and grease floating on top. The second part of grease traps is the exit pipe, which opens up lower in the tank, in the area where only water will settle. Because the grease layer is always on top of the water, its weight puts pressure on the water and forces it up the pipe and out, while the grease remains in the tank until it is pumped out.
If you want to know more about grease traps or are experiencing problems with yours, call our team at Degler Waste Services to get a professional opinion.