Restaurants, pubs, hotels, takeaways, and school kitchens across Yorkshire produce fats, oils, and grease (FOG) every day. Without proper management, FOG solidifies in pipework, causes blockages, and creates serious compliance failures. Grease trap maintenance is not optional — it is a legal and operational requirement for commercial food premises.

Why grease traps matter

A grease trap intercepts FOG before it enters the drainage system. When traps are full or poorly maintained, grease passes into sewers, causing fatbergs, blockages, and potential prosecution under environmental legislation. Local authorities and water companies increasingly inspect food businesses for evidence of compliant FOG management.

Blocked drains from grease buildup also mean kitchen downtime, lost revenue, and emergency callouts — all avoidable with scheduled grease trap emptying.

Legal and environmental obligations

Food businesses must:

Install appropriately sized grease traps or interceptors where required
Maintain equipment so it functions effectively
Use licensed waste carriers for FOG removal
Retain waste transfer notes as proof of compliant disposal

Drains First Limited issues duty of care waste transfer notes on every emptying visit. These documents are essential for environmental health inspections, insurance audits, and your own compliance records.

How often should grease traps be emptied?

Frequency depends on kitchen volume, menu type, and trap capacity. As a guide:

High-volume restaurants — monthly or every four to six weeks
Pubs and hotel kitchens — every one to three months
Schools, care homes, and smaller takeaways — every three to six months

Traps that are undersized or heavily used may need more frequent servicing. Our engineers can advise after inspecting your installation.

Signs your grease trap needs attention

Do not wait for a blockage. Book emptying when you notice:

Slow draining sinks in the kitchen
Grease odours near the trap location
Visible grease layer at or above the outlet level
Previous environmental health recommendations
It has been longer than your scheduled interval

Emergency emptying is available, but pre-planned maintenance is cheaper and more reliable than reactive callouts.

Our tanker service for food businesses

Drains First Limited operates a combination vacuum tanker from our Leeds base, serving restaurants and commercial kitchens across West Yorkshire and the wider region. We empty grease traps quickly and cleanly, with minimal disruption to service.

We have provided drainage and tanker services since 1989 and hold CHAS Elite accreditation. Whether you need a one-off emergency emptying or a regular schedule aligned with your environmental health requirements, we tailor the service to your site.

Working with your facilities team

For multi-site operators, we coordinate visits across locations, provide consistent documentation, and align emptying with your audit calendar. Facilities managers appreciate a single point of contact for grease traps, interceptors, and associated drainage issues.

Book compliant grease trap emptying

Protect your kitchen, your reputation, and the sewer network. Call Drains First Limited on 07958 784011 to arrange grease trap emptying or discuss a maintenance schedule. Compliance is straightforward when you work with a licensed, local tanker operator who understands the demands of commercial catering in Yorkshire.

Grease Trap Compliance for Restaurants and Commercial Kitchens