Top Grease Trap Cleaning in Clovis, California Ranked

For any restaurant or food service establishment in Clovis, maintaining your grease interceptor isn't just a good practice-it's a legal requirement essential for protecting the local sewer system. The City of Clovis enforces strict Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) control regulations to prevent costly and disruptive sewer blockages and backups. Compliance hinges on regular, professional grease trap pumping and cleaning, meticulous record-keeping, and passing routine inspections. Neglecting this critical maintenance can lead to severe fines, operational shutdowns, and exponentially higher service costs. This guide outlines the specific requirements, best practices, and local considerations for effective grease management in Clovis.

Ameriguard Maintenance Services LLC

4681 E Vine Ave, Fresno, CA 93725

Ameriguard Maintenance Services LLC is a family-run company based in Fresno, CA, specializing in used cooking oil collection, grease trap cleaning, and commercial septic services. Founded in 2003, the company serves a wide range of clients including restaurants, supermarkets, schools, government facilities, and casinos across 39 counties in California. Ameriguard focuses on preventative maintenance to help minimize emergency shutdowns and offers scheduled services for grease trap and drain line systems. Their operations include handling liquid waste management with updated equipment and environmentally conscious practices.

4.9

11 Reviews

Golden Valley Pumping Co.

17771 W Gettysburg Ave, Kerman, CA 93630

Golden Valley Pumping Co. provides used cooking oil collection and grease trap maintenance services in Fresno, CA. They serve a variety of clients including restaurants, hotels, schools, casinos, and corporate campuses. Their services include hydro-jetting to remove hardened grease and waste oil, helping to prevent environmental contamination and costly blockages. The company offers 24/7 availability for emergency and routine service needs. Golden Valley Pumping also focuses on recycling collected waste oil into bio-diesel, supporting environmental sustainability in the Central Valley and surrounding areas.

5.0

8 Reviews

All Valley Environmental

523 N Brawley Ave Suite B, Fresno, CA 93706

All Valley Environmental is a grease trap cleaning and used cooking oil collection company based in Fresno, CA. Serving California for over 25 years, they specialize in grease trap cleaning to prevent blockages and odors in kitchen plumbing. They also provide eco-friendly used cooking oil collection and recycling services, promoting sustainability and reducing carbon footprints. Licensed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the company offers scheduled pickups and custom solutions to fit various business needs. Their service areas include the Central Valley, Bay Area, and Central Coast regions.

4.0

4 Reviews

Baker Commodities Inc

16801 W Jensen Ave, Kerman, CA 93630

Baker Commodities Inc offers grease management and rendering services in Fresno, CA, and the Southwest region. Their services include animal by-product recycling, restaurant grease recycling, grease trap cleaning, and hydrojet commercial plumbing and drain cleaning. The company emphasizes environmentally sustainable waste management practices and provides 24/7 emergency service availability to support businesses whenever needed.

3.5

13 Reviews

See more providers in Clovis, CA

Understanding Local Grease Interceptor Regulations

Clovis restaurants must adhere to both California state codes and local municipal ordinances designed to manage FOG discharge. The core principle is that all Food Service Establishments (FSEs) must have an approved and properly sized grease trap or interceptor ^{1 2}. The legal maintenance standard is typically cleaning when accumulated FOG and solids reach 25% of the liquid depth in the interceptor ^{1 3}. While some ordinances cite a minimum cleaning frequency of every six months, high-volume establishments, especially those serving fried foods, often require monthly or quarterly service to stay within this limit ^{1 4}. It is crucial to confirm the specific details of the Clovis FOG ordinance by contacting the Clovis Public Works or Wastewater Department, as enforcement practices can vary ^{4 5}.

The Inspection Process: What Clovis Establishments Can Expect

Local authorities or their designees conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance. These inspections often occur bi-annually but can be more frequent for high-risk establishments ^{1 6}. Inspectors will check several key items:

• FOG and Solids Accumulation: They will measure the layer of grease and solids, enforcing the 25% rule ^{7 8}.
• Physical Condition: The accessibility of the interceptor, the integrity of baffles, and the proper operation of flow control devices are all examined ^{9 10}.
• Required Documentation: You must provide detailed maintenance records. These logs should include every service date, the volume of waste removed, the servicing company's name, and the method of disposal ^{1 6}. Failure to present these records during an inspection is a common violation.

A failed inspection can result in fines, mandatory immediate cleaning at a premium cost, and in severe cases, a cease-and-desist order that halts business operations ^{9 2}.

Cost of Grease Trap Services in Clovis

Investing in regular maintenance is far more economical than dealing with the consequences of neglect. Service costs in Clovis vary based on the type and size of your interceptor:

• Indoor Grease Traps: Regular, scheduled pumping for smaller under-sink traps typically ranges from $125 to $180. A one-time or emergency service for the same unit can cost between $190 and $240 ^{11 12}.
• Outdoor Grease Interceptors: Larger in-ground interceptors cost more to service. Regular maintenance for these units generally falls between $325 and $1,040 or more per service ¹¹.
• The High Cost of Neglect: If an interceptor is severely neglected, the pumping job becomes more complex and time-consuming. In these cases, service providers report that costs can triple or more compared to a regularly maintained unit ¹¹. This does not include potential fines from the city.

Proactive Maintenance and Best Practices

Scheduling cleanings reactively-only when drains begin to slow-is a recipe for compliance failure and expensive emergencies. The most effective strategy is to establish a proactive pumping schedule with a licensed service provider based on your establishment's specific volume and menu ^{5 13}. A reliable provider will supply you with detailed service slips after each cleaning, which become the core of your compliance records.

Beyond professional pumping, kitchen staff play a vital role in FOG control through daily best practices:

• Scrape and Dry Wipe: Scrape all food scraps from dishes, pots, and pans into the trash before rinsing.
• Use Drain Screens: Install and clean strainers in all sink drains to catch solid particles.
• Collect Cooking Oil: Never pour used fryer oil down the drain. Store it in dedicated containers for proper recycling by your grease hauler.
• Educate Staff: Ensure all employees understand how their actions impact the grease interceptor and the business's compliance status ^{7 14}.

Choosing a Service Provider in Clovis

Selecting the right grease trap cleaning company is a critical business decision. Look for a licensed, insured, and reputable provider familiar with Clovis and Fresno County regulations. They should offer:

• Clear, written service agreements.
• Detailed invoices that note the date, gallonage removed, and interceptor condition for your records.
• Proper disposal and recycling practices for both grease trap waste and used cooking oil.
• The ability to work with you to determine an optimal service frequency, whether monthly, quarterly, or another interval, to maintain compliance reliably ^{4 13}.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

The risks of ignoring grease interceptor maintenance are substantial. Financially, you face city-imposed fines and the skyrocketing cost of emergency clean-out services ^{9 11}. Operationally, a failed inspection or a sewer line blockage can force you to close your kitchen until the issue is resolved, leading to lost revenue and customer dissatisfaction. Environmentally, FOG discharges contribute to sewer overflows, which harm local infrastructure and ecosystems. Consistent, documented maintenance is your primary defense against these significant risks ^{6 2}.

Frequently asked questions

Sources