Why Does My Grease Trap Smell?
The grease trap or grease interceptor’s bad odor does not necessarily indicate that the device is full. The smell of traps and interceptors is often due to four primary reasons; lack of service, broken seals, faulty plumbing, and vent pipe. Try pinpointing the odor source to prevent costly remedies by doing your investigation.
When Was The Last Time You Had The Device Pumped and Cleaned?
First, if you have not had the device serviced for some time, be sure to have it pumped and cleaned. The liquid waste and gas inside the grease device will eat throughout the trap or grease interceptor walls that can damage the device, allowing all the odors out. Make sure that a proper preventative maintenance plan is followed to prevent foul odors and tank deterioration. Waste sitting in a grease tank for an extended period will damage the tank and create a toxic gas that will negatively affect the device. Note that grease traps and grease interceptors will always produce a terrible smell, but cleaning it will drastically tune it down.
Inspect The Grease Trap or Interceptor Lid
Odors coming out of the top of the grease trap or grease interceptor lid may indicate that the seal is broken. Over time seals will deteriorate due to the harsh gas FOGS waste it creates. Open the cover of the device and flip it to see if the rubber seal is in place. In case the seal is missing, you can call the manufacturer to order a new one. If you cannot order a new seal or locate the manufacturer, you can do alternatives to seal the cover, such as using a silicone sealer found at a local hardware store.
Grease Trap & Grease Interceptor Plumbing
Grease traps and grease interceptors are connected to the plumbing line, and having faulty plumbing can cause the odor to escape out of the pipes and drains. Rotten scents in the kitchen can be due to having dried up or broken P-Traps. P-Traps are supposed to hold water and prevent any odors from coming out. Check by using a flashlight to see if all the drains at the location is holding water. If not, run water into the drain and check to see if the water holds to see if the P-Trap is working. If not, you may have a broken P-Trap causing all the odor from the plumbing lines and grease trap to back into your building.
Ventilation For Odor Release
Lastly, all grease traps and grease interceptors will have a vent line for the odors from the grease trap or grease interceptor to escape. The placement of these vents is sometimes too low or close to the HVAC unit. If that is the case, the vent may have to be re-routed, keeping it further away from the HVAC unit to not draw in the air escaping from the grease trap or grease interceptor vent line.
How To Get Rid of Bad Smell
Getting rid of odors released by these devices can be a nuisance. These devices are designed to hold food waste; it will have an unbearable gas odor that it will create, which is normal. On the other hand, these devices are made with specific parts to prevent the unpleasant odor from spreading in areas they are not supposed to. For additional help with grease trap and grease interceptor odor control, call 888-697-8910.