Top Grease Trap Cleaning in Urbandale, Iowa Ranked

For any restaurant, food truck, or commercial kitchen in Urbandale, maintaining a clean grease trap or interceptor is not just a matter of kitchen efficiency-it's a critical legal requirement. The City of Urbandale, like many municipalities, enforces strict codes to prevent fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from entering the public sewer system, where they can cause costly blockages, backups, and environmental damage. Proper grease trap maintenance involves scheduled, professional cleaning that meets specific city standards, thorough documentation, and an understanding of local enforcement protocols. This guide outlines what Urbandale food service establishments (FSEs) need to know to stay compliant, avoid fines, and ensure their operations run smoothly.

The core regulation in Urbandale mandates that grease interceptors be cleaned when the combined FOG and settled solids accumulate to 25% of the liquid depth of the trap or at a minimum of every 90 days (three months), whichever occurs first ¹. This "25% rule" is a common benchmark designed to prevent grease from carrying over into the sewer lines. It's important to note that this is a maximum interval; high-volume kitchens may require service much more frequently. Local inspectors actively check for compliance during routine inspections, and they will request detailed service records to prove adherence to this schedule ^{2 3}.

Waste Solutions of Iowa (WSI)

5554 NE 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50313

Waste Solutions of Iowa (WSI) is a woman-owned business based in Des Moines, IA, offering a range of temporary sanitation and waste management solutions. Their services include portable toilet rentals, hand wash stations, roll-off dumpsters, grease trap pumping, and solar-powered surveillance trailers. WSI serves events, construction sites, restaurants, and businesses throughout the Des Moines area. They specialize in scheduled grease trap pumping to help foodservice businesses comply with local regulations and maintain efficient drainage. Established in 1982, WSI has over 40 years of experience and provides 24/7 video surveillance options for enhanced security at events and job sites.

4.9

124 Reviews

Behle Inc

2228 229th Pl, Ames, IA 50014

Behle Inc is a plumbing service provider based in Ames, IA, serving residential, commercial, and industrial clients in Ames and nearby cities including Des Moines, West Des Moines, and Sioux City. The company offers a wide range of plumbing services such as sewer line repair, septic system maintenance, and grease trap cleaning. They utilize modern techniques like trenchless sewer pipe lining to minimize property disruption while delivering their services.

4.5

64 Reviews

Draintech Plumbing Drain Cleaning Hydro Jetting

2825 Wakefield Cir, Ames, IA 50010

Draintech Plumbing Drain Cleaning Hydro Jetting is a licensed and insured plumbing company serving Ames, IA. Established in 1983, they offer a variety of plumbing services including grease trap cleaning, sewer televising and locating, and excavating. Their capabilities also cover servicing dishwashers, toilets, drain and water lines, faucets, water heaters, sump pumps, and plumbing for kitchen and bathroom remodeling.

4.4

144 Reviews

Forest Grease & Commercial

des moines

Forest Grease & Commercial is a grease trap cleaning company serving Des Moines, IA, and Central Iowa. Established in 1918, the company focuses on commercial and industrial wastewater treatment solutions, helping food service establishments comply with the local Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Ordinance. Their services include cleaning grease traps and interceptors, as well as pumping various types of commercial liquid waste and cleaning commercial pits such as car wash and maintenance bay pits. Forest Grease & Commercial has a long history of serving both commercial and residential clients, now concentrating solely on industrial and commercial customers.

5.0

3 Reviews

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Understanding Urbandale's Grease Interceptor Codes

Urbandale's city code (§ 52.066) provides the legal framework for grease management ¹. The ordinance applies to all FSEs and is designed to protect the Water Resources Authority (WRA) infrastructure. Key provisions include:

• Mandatory Installation: New or remodeled food service facilities are required to install properly sized grease interceptors.
• Cleaning Trigger: Cleaning is required when FOG/solids reach 25% of the liquid level or every 90 days.
• Waste Disposal: All waste removed from the trap must be transported and disposed of at an approved facility, such as a Water Reclamation Facility (WRF). Haulers must be licensed for this purpose ^{1 4}.
• Record Keeping: Facilities must maintain a detailed log of all grease interceptor cleaning and maintenance for a minimum of three years. These records must be made available to city inspectors upon request ^{2 1}.

Non-compliance can result in significant penalties, including substantial fines and, in severe cases, a revocation of operating permits or forced closure until violations are corrected ⁵.

The Professional Cleaning Process: What "Full Cleaning" Entails

To meet code, a simple pump-out is not sufficient. A compliant grease trap cleaning service in Urbandale must follow a thorough process:

1. Complete Evacuation: The entire contents of the interceptor-water, FOG cap, and sludge layer-are pumped out.
2. Scraping and Removal: Technicians must manually scrape and remove all grease mat and solidified sludge from the walls, baffles, and bottom of the tank. This step is crucial, as leftover grease quickly re-contaminates the tank.
3. Inspection: The empty trap should be inspected for structural integrity, cracks, and proper function of inlet/outlet tees and baffles.
4. Proper Disposal: The collected waste is transported in a licensed vehicle to an approved disposal site, with documentation provided to the business ^{3 4}.

Prohibited Methods: The use of emulsifiers, enzymes, or hot water to dissolve or disperse grease is strictly prohibited by most codes, including Urbandale's. These methods simply push the grease problem further down the sewer line, violating the intent of the law ^{3 6}. Automatic grease removal devices also require specific approval from the WRA ¹.

Cost of Grease Trap Cleaning Services in Urbandale

The cost for professional grease interceptor maintenance can vary based on several factors. For a regularly serviced, standard-sized trap, you can expect a typical cleaning to range from approximately $175 to $475 per service ^{7 8}. However, this is a baseline. Key factors that influence price include:

• Trap Size and Type: Larger, underground interceptors cost more to clean than smaller, under-sink grease traps.
• Accessibility: Easy, above-ground access keeps costs down. Buried traps or those in confined spaces require more labor and equipment.
• Level of Neglect: The single biggest cost variable is maintenance history. A trap that has been neglected beyond the 25% threshold, or one that has never been fully cleaned, can cost two to three times more for the initial restoration service due to the increased labor, time, and disposal volume required ^{7 9}.
• Service Provider: Pricing models may differ between companies (flat rate vs. variable rate based on volume).

Investing in regular service is far more economical than facing an emergency cleaning bill or the fines associated with a code violation.

Best Practices for In-House Grease Management

While professional cleaning is essential, kitchen staff play a vital role in minimizing FOG entering the trap:

• Scrape Plates Thoroughly: Food solids should be scraped into trash or compost bins before dishwashing.
• Use Strainers: Install and empty sink strainers to catch food particles.
• Never Pour Grease Down the Drain: Collect used fryer oil and pan grease in dedicated containers for used cooking oil recycling.
• Dry Wipe Greasy Pans: Wipe pots, pans, and griddles with a paper towel before rinsing.
• Educate Staff: Train all kitchen and dishwashing personnel on these best practices to reduce the load on your interceptor ^{2 10}.

Preparing for a Health or City Inspection

When an inspector arrives, being prepared with proper documentation is the key to a smooth process. Your file should contain:

• Detailed Service Reports: Every cleaning invoice from your service provider, showing the date, company name, and a description of work performed (e.g., "fully pumped, scraped, and cleaned").
• Waste Manifests: Documentation proving the grease waste was hauled to an approved disposal facility.
• A Maintenance Log: A simple logbook or digital record tracking the dates of service and any observations about the trap's condition.

Having these records organized and readily available demonstrates proactive compliance and can help resolve any questions quickly ^{2 3}.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Ignoring grease trap maintenance carries serious risks beyond just a fine:

• Sewer Backups: Severe blockages can cause sewage to back up into your own establishment or neighboring businesses, leading to massive cleanup costs and business interruption.
• Public Sewer Spills: FOG discharged into city lines can solidify and create "fatbergs" that cause overflows, potentially leading to environmental contamination and the city levying significant remediation costs against the responsible FSE.
• Plumbing Issues: Chronic grease buildup will clog your own internal plumbing, leading to slow drains, odors, and expensive emergency plumbing repairs.
• Enforcement Actions: The city can issue escalating fines, require immediate and costly corrective action, or even suspend your sewer service or business license until the issue is resolved ⁵.

Regular, professional grease trap cleaning is a non-negotiable aspect of responsible and legal food service operation in Urbandale. By partnering with a knowledgeable service provider, maintaining impeccable records, and training your staff, you protect your business, your plumbing, and the community's infrastructure.

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