Top Grease Trap Cleaning in Los Angeles, California Ranked

For any restaurant, commercial kitchen, or food service establishment in Los Angeles, managing fats, oils, and grease (FOG) is a critical operational and legal responsibility. Proper grease trap and interceptor maintenance is not just about preventing clogs; it's a mandatory requirement enforced by city and county health departments to protect the public sewer system. Failure to comply can lead to severe fines, business license suspension, or even closure. This guide outlines the essential regulations, best practices, and service considerations for effective grease management in the LA area, helping you maintain compliance and avoid costly disruptions.

Zoom Drain

15540 Rockfield Blvd C100, Irvine, CA 92618

Zoom Drain is a grease trap cleaning and drain service company based in Los Angeles, CA. They provide residential and commercial drain and sewer cleaning, inspection, repairs, and preventive maintenance. Their services cover clogged drains, sewer pump repair, sump pump replacement, and landscape drain maintenance. Zoom Drain uses advanced technology like hydro jetting to clear blockages, including tree roots, and offers 24/7 emergency services. They serve areas including Anaheim, Irvine, Santa Ana, and throughout Orange County. The company is known for its specialized services in food and hospitality sectors, contractor support, and tailored maintenance plans.

5.0

633 Reviews

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

241 E Colorado Blvd #202, Pasadena, CA 91101

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup provides comprehensive residential and commercial plumbing services in Los Angeles, CA. They specialize in a wide range of plumbing solutions including grease trap cleaning, sewer line repairs, water heater installation and repair, and emergency floodwater cleanup. The company is equipped with advanced tools such as hydro-jetting equipment to handle complex plumbing issues efficiently. Serving the Pasadena area and surrounding communities, Roto-Rooter offers 24/7 emergency plumbing services throughout the year to address urgent plumbing needs. They are fully licensed and insured, focusing on both routine maintenance and emergency repairs.

4.9

724 Reviews

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

110 N Maclay Ave Suite 110, San Fernando, CA 91340

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup provides comprehensive plumbing services in Los Angeles, CA, specializing in both residential and commercial plumbing needs. Their offerings include floodwater cleanup, sewer and drain cleaning, faucet and toilet repairs, water heater installation and maintenance, grease trap cleaning, and sewer line repair and replacement. They use advanced techniques such as hydro-jetting and trenchless excavation to address plumbing challenges efficiently. Serving the San Fernando Valley and surrounding communities, Roto-Rooter has extensive knowledge of local plumbing infrastructure and environmental factors. The company operates a 24/7 emergency service line to handle urgent plumbing issues at any time.

4.9

549 Reviews

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

2050 W Chapman Ave #202, Orange, CA 92868

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup offers a wide range of plumbing services in Los Angeles, CA, including grease trap cleaning, sewer and drain cleaning, water heater repair, and emergency flood cleanup. The company serves both residential and commercial clients, addressing issues from routine maintenance to urgent repairs. They utilize advanced tools such as HD inspection cameras and hydro-jetting to clear blockages and perform no-dig pipe replacements. Established with a legacy dating back to the invention of the original electric drain snake in 1935, Roto-Rooter provides 24/7 emergency plumbing services to handle urgent situations any time of day or night.

4.9

492 Reviews

White Glove Plumbing Orange County

1430 E Borchard Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705

White Glove Plumbing Orange County is a full-service plumbing and restoration company based in Santa Ana, serving residential and commercial clients throughout Los Angeles, CA. They provide a wide range of services including emergency plumbing, leak detection, hydro-jetting, water heater installation, grease trap pumping, sewage cleanup, mold remediation, and water damage restoration. The company offers 24/7 emergency services to quickly address urgent plumbing and restoration needs. Their expertise includes advanced capabilities such as slab leak reroutes, sewer camera inspections, and certified mold remediation. White Glove Plumbing combines plumbing and restoration services to manage repairs and rebuilds efficiently, reducing the need for multiple contractors.

5.0

103 Reviews

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Understanding Los Angeles Grease Trap Regulations

Los Angeles enforces strict guidelines for grease interceptors, primarily following the California Plumbing Code (CPC) and local municipal ordinances. The core rule mandates that grease interceptors must be pumped and cleaned when the combined FOG and solid accumulation reaches 25% of the unit's liquid capacity^{1 2}. This is a performance-based standard, meaning the required service frequency depends entirely on your kitchen's volume of waste. A high-volume restaurant might need monthly cleaning, while a lower-volume operation could require quarterly service. However, many local jurisdictions set a minimum cleaning frequency of every 90 days (quarterly) or six months, regardless of accumulation levels^{1 3}.

The design and installation of these units are also codified. Grease interceptors must be easily accessible for inspection and cleaning, with manhole covers extending to the finished grade^{1 4}. The CPC often requires a minimum two-compartment design for larger interceptors to improve separation efficiency². It's crucial to know whether your establishment falls under the jurisdiction of the City of Los Angeles Sanitation Department (LASAN) or the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, as enforcement protocols can vary slightly.

Inspection and Enforcement: What to Expect

Regular inspections are a fact of life for food service businesses. Inspectors from LASAN or the LA County Health Department have the authority to conduct inspections during normal business hours or in response to complaints^{5 6}. During an inspection, they will visually assess your grease interceptor, may take samples, and check maintenance records.

If violations are found-such as an overfull trap, lack of maintenance logs, or evidence of grease discharge-the inspector can issue a Notice of Noncompliance (NON)^{1 5}. This notice typically outlines the violation and provides a deadline for correction. Failure to rectify the issue can result in significant monetary fines. Repeated or egregious violations can escalate to administrative penalties, suspension of your business license, or a mandatory closure order until the problem is resolved^{1 7}. Proactive maintenance is your best defense against these enforcement actions.

Determining Your Service Frequency and Costs

Since the 25% rule is the legal standard, how do you determine your optimal pumping schedule? Start by consulting with a professional service provider for an initial assessment. They can evaluate your trap's size, your kitchen's output, and current accumulation levels to recommend a baseline frequency. Many providers offer service contracts that schedule regular cleanings (e.g., monthly, quarterly) to ensure consistent compliance.

Costs for grease trap pumping and cleaning in Los Angeles vary based on several key factors:

• Interceptor Size: A small under-sink grease trap will cost less to service than a large, in-ground interceptor holding 1,000 gallons or more.
• Service Frequency: Regular contracted service often has a different pricing model than emergency or one-time cleanings.
• Location and Accessibility: Ease of access for service trucks can affect the price.

For reference, pumping a large interceptor (e.g., 1,000-1,500 gallons) in the LA area can typically range from $225 to over $400 per service^{8 9 10}. Smaller units may see costs starting lower, but establishing a regular service relationship is more cost-effective than facing an emergency call or a fine.

The Risks of Non-Compliance

Neglecting your grease interceptor poses serious risks beyond regulatory fines. The most immediate operational risk is a sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) or a backup within your own facility. This can lead to:

• Costly Plumbing Emergencies: Clearing a grease-clogged main line is expensive and disruptive.
• Health Hazards: Sewage backups create unsanitary conditions that can shut down your kitchen.
• Environmental Damage: FOG discharged into sewers can congeal and cause blockages in public lines, leading to overflows that pollute local waterways. Municipalities incur huge costs to address these issues, and they recoup them through fines levied on non-compliant businesses¹¹.

Best Practices for Grease Management

A comprehensive approach extends beyond just scheduling trap cleanings. Implementing these best practices can extend the time between services and improve overall compliance:

1. Train Your Staff: Ensure all kitchen employees understand what should and should not go down the drain. Scrape food scraps into compost or trash before washing.
2. Use Pre-Sink Strainers: Install and maintain strainers in all sink drains to catch solid food particles.
3. Dry Wipe Pots and Pans: Before rinsing, wipe excess grease and food residues from cookware with a paper towel.
4. Maintain Detailed Records: Keep a permanent logbook of every grease interceptor cleaning, including date, time, company, and the volume of waste removed. This log is the first thing an inspector will ask to see.
5. Partner with a Reputable Service Provider: Choose a licensed, insured, and experienced provider familiar with LA's specific codes. They can help you navigate regulations and provide documentation for inspections.

Choosing a Service Provider in Los Angeles

When selecting a company for grease interceptor pumping and cleaning, consider the following:

• Licensing and Insurance: Verify they are licensed to operate in Los Angeles or your specific municipality and carry adequate liability insurance.
• Experience with Local Codes: The provider should be well-versed in the requirements of LASAN, LA County, and the California Plumbing Code.
• Service Offerings: Do they offer emergency service? Can they provide used cooking oil collection as part of a bundled service?
• Documentation: They must provide detailed service reports and waste manifests, proving proper disposal at a licensed facility, which is crucial for your records.

Staying ahead of grease interceptor maintenance is a non-negotiable aspect of running a responsible and successful food service business in Los Angeles. By understanding the regulations, implementing proactive kitchen practices, and partnering with a reliable service provider, you can avoid the significant financial and operational headaches of non-compliance.

Frequently asked questions

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