The Case for Installing Domestic Grease traps

Ecotec has tried to champion the use of domestic grease traps in all new home builds, as we regularly get calls looking for a solution to clogged septic tanks and drain fields. Sadly these problems are often on relatively new builds (unless the client is very lucky and a trap can be fitted in the garden)- the only real option is to dig up the footpaths and hope the waste-pipe is low enough to accommodate the inlet and outlet of the unit. A great unnecessary expense for an initial outlay at the design/build stage of sub €300.

A big call out to all you architects, consultants, builders, prospective new builders – fit a grease trap while the going is good, although not obligatory it makes financial and environmental sense!
Blocked pipes can lead to flooding, attract vermin, and if bad enough the local authorities, they can also be a health hazard and costly to repair. Add to this the cost to have the septic tank/bio cycle drained and cleaned and when grease gets into the drain field the only option is to dig it up and replace it- overall a very costly exercise when a small initial investment would help to avoid this.

Ecotec stock 23 different size grease traps from 100 litres to 5000 litres -with different footprints to fit in all situations. A good grease trap can be an invaluable addition to a working kitchen.

Functioning of the domestic grease trap

A grease trap works by allowing greasy water to cool. Vegetable oils and animal fats are 10 to 15% less dense than water and are insoluble in water. By allowing the fats, oils, and grease to cool, the different layers of the mixture can separate into individual layers for ease of separation.

Since fats, oils & grease are lighter in density than water, they float to the top, the heavier food particles settle on the bottom and the mid-layer clean water is allowed to continue flowing down the drain. The floating fats, oils & grease are then trapped hence the name “grease trap”.

Over time, grease and solids build up inside the trap and, they need to be pumped/cleaned out on a regular basis- people ask how long? the simple answer is the bigger the trap the less frequent the cleanout, but a reasonably sized unit of 150 litres shouldn’t need any maintenance for at least 12 months in the average family home.

Ecotec can supply a pre-filter interceptor with an internal bucket which allows the homeowner to remove large pieces of waste food, thereby cutting down on the frequency of pump-outs (the cost of a pump-out being approx €200). For further information please visit www.ecotec.ie