Professional Grease Trap Cleaning and Pumping in Traverse City, MI: Expert FOG Management

Comprehensive Grease Trap Cleaning Services for the Traverse City Area

1. Full-Service Grease Trap Pumping

Our primary service involves the complete removal of all settled solids and floating grease caps. Unlike "skim-only" services that leave behind the heavy sludge at the bottom, KEX ensures a 100% pump-out. This is vital for Traverse City businesses because accumulated solids reduce the effective volume of your trap, leading to more frequent overflows.

2. High-Pressure Hydro-Jetting

Over time, grease doesn't just stay in the trap; it migrates into your internal plumbing and the lateral lines leading to the Traverse City city sewer. Our hydro-jetting service uses pressurized water to scrub the walls of your pipes, removing years of "grease-crete" buildup. This is a preventative measure that saves thousands in emergency plumbing repairs.

3. Interceptor Maintenance and Inspection

Large exterior grease interceptors (often 1,000+ gallons) require specialized vacuum trucks and a deep understanding of baffle structures. We inspect the T-pipes and baffles during every service to ensure your hardware is functioning correctly. If a baffle is corroded, FOG escapes into the Traverse City sewer system, leading to heavy municipal fines.

Understanding Traverse City’s FOG Regulations and Compliance

The City of Traverse City’s Division of Sewer and Drainage Services maintains a rigorous FOG (Fats, Oils, and Grease) prevention program. Businesses in Traverse City, MI, are required to maintain accurate records of their grease trap maintenance to prevent "Sewer System Overflows" (SSOs).

• Manifest Tracking: Every time we pump your trap, we provide a manifest that proves you are disposing of waste at a licensed facility.
• The 25% Rule: Most local codes, including those applicable in Lucas County, dictate that once your trap is 25% full of FOG and solids, it must be cleaned.
• Health Department Readiness: During a health inspection in Traverse City, one of the first things checked is your grease interceptor log. KEX helps you stay "inspection-ready" at all times.

Common Problems We Solve in the Traverse City Region

Foul Odors in the Dining Area

If your customers are smelling sewage, your grease trap is likely overdue for a cleaning or has a compromised gasket. In the humid Traverse City, MI summers, these odors can intensify quickly. We provide deodorizing and thorough cleaning to eliminate the source of the smell.

Slow Drainage and Backups

In many older buildings in Downtown Traverse City, the plumbing is sensitive. When grease cools, it solidifies. If your sinks are gurgling or draining slowly, it’s a sign that the "inlet" or "outlet" of your trap is restricted.

Emergency Overflows

A grease trap overflow is an environmental hazard. Our emergency teams are familiar with the Traverse City landscape—from Old Orchard to Point Place—ensuring we get to your site before the grease reaches the parking lot or the storm drain.