Top Grease Trap Cleaning in Lexington, Kentucky Ranked

For any restaurant or food service facility in Lexington, proper grease interceptor maintenance is not just a best practice-it's a legal requirement enforced by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) Water Quality division. The city has strict regulations designed to prevent fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from entering the public sewer system, where they can cause costly blockages, backups, and environmental damage. Compliance involves a multi-step process: obtaining city approval for your trap, adhering to a strict cleaning and inspection schedule, using only licensed haulers, and maintaining meticulous records. Understanding these local mandates is the first step in protecting your business from significant fines and ensuring the smooth operation of your kitchen's plumbing.

Zoom Drain

louisville

Zoom Drain is a grease trap cleaning and drain service company based in Louisville, KY. They provide residential and commercial drain and sewer cleaning services, including specialized grease trap maintenance and advanced drain clearing techniques such as trenchless technology. Their technicians use eco-friendly products and proprietary methods to remove obstructions like tree roots and debris, helping to maintain plumbing system health and prevent future blockages. Zoom Drain serves Louisville and surrounding areas, offering same-day and next-day service to address urgent drain issues efficiently.

4.9

124 Reviews

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

2050 Regency Rd Suite C, Lexington, KY 40503

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup provides comprehensive plumbing services in Lexington, KY, for both residential and commercial clients. Their offerings include sewer and drain cleaning, water heater repair and installation, grease trap maintenance, floodwater cleanup, mold remediation, and emergency plumbing services. The company uses advanced equipment such as hydro-jetting and video camera inspections to address plumbing challenges like aging sewer lines and tree root infiltration. Roto-Rooter serves Lexington and surrounding counties with 24/7 emergency availability to handle urgent plumbing issues promptly.

4.8

259 Reviews

Major Dukes Services

lexington

Major Dukes Services is based in Lexington, KY, offering septic tank pumping, grease trap cleaning, septic system inspections, outdoor plumbing, and drain clearing. They serve Central Kentucky, including Georgetown, Richmond, Berea, Winchester, Paris, Versailles, Frankfort, and nearby counties. The company provides 24/7 emergency septic services, ensuring support whenever needed.

4.9

13 Reviews

Hogue Septic Tank & Grease Trap Cleaning

lexington

Hogue Septic Tank & Grease Trap Cleaning is a service provider located in Lexington, KY. The company specializes in grease trap cleaning, helping businesses maintain proper waste management and prevent plumbing issues.

4.5

31 Reviews

Setters Septic Tank Service and Portable Restrooms, LLC

5036 Old Maysville Rd, Mt Sterling, KY 40353

Setters Septic Tank Service and Portable Restrooms, LLC is a family-owned business based in Lexington, KY, offering comprehensive septic and portable restroom services. They specialize in septic tank installation, cleaning, repair, grease trap cleaning, and portable restroom rentals for worksites and special events. The company uses its own video camera inspection equipment to locate blockages and operates hydro-jet and electric auger tools for clearing sewer and drain lines. They also provide licensed septic system chemicals and deluxe portable restroom trailers for events.

4.9

7 Reviews

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Understanding Lexington's FOG Regulations

Lexington's FOG control program is managed by the LFUCG Water Quality department. The rules apply to all food service establishments (FSEs) that discharge wastewater into the sanitary sewer. The cornerstone of the program is the requirement for an approved and properly sized grease interceptor, often referred to as a grease trap. Before any installation or modification, you must submit plans to the Water Quality office for approval ¹. This step ensures the unit meets local standards for capacity and design, which is critical for effective operation.

Once an approved interceptor is in place, the facility must develop and follow a written maintenance plan. This isn't a suggestion; it's a mandatory part of your operational compliance ². The plan should detail your inspection schedule, cleaning procedures, and the Best Management Practices (BMPs) your staff will follow to minimize FOG discharge at the source. The city provides guidelines for these BMPs, which include practices like using sink strainers, dry-wiping pots and pans before washing, and posting "No Grease" signs near drains ³.

Mandatory Cleaning Schedules and Triggers

How often you need grease trap pumping in Lexington is dictated by specific, measurable triggers. The primary rule is to clean the interceptor before the combined volume of accumulated grease and solids reaches 30% of the unit's total liquid capacity ⁴. For most busy kitchens, this threshold is reached well before a 90-day period.

To provide a clear compliance schedule, the city mandates maximum time intervals between cleanings:

• Internal Grease Traps (typically smaller units located inside the kitchen): Must be cleaned at least every 90 days ^{1 5}.
• External Grease Interceptors (larger in-ground units): Must be cleaned at least every 6 months ⁶.

The enforceable requirement is to clean at whichever comes first: the 30% capacity trigger or the maximum time interval. Relying solely on the calendar date is risky; monthly inspections are required to monitor grease and solids buildup ². Neglecting this can lead to an overfilled trap, which is a direct violation.

The Critical Role of Licensed Haulers

You cannot hire just any waste hauler to service your grease interceptor in Lexington. The city requires that all grease interceptor pumping and hauling be performed by a company that holds a valid city-issued permit ^{1 7}. These licensed haulers are familiar with local disposal regulations and will provide you with the necessary documentation-often called a "manifest" or trip ticket-that proves the waste was properly collected and disposed of.

This documentation is a key part of your compliance records. When a licensed provider like Moon Grease Trap Cleaning performs a service, they will detail the date, volume of waste removed, and their company information ⁸. You must keep these records on-site for a minimum of three years and make them available immediately upon request by a city inspector ¹. Using an unlicensed hauler not only risks fines but also means you won't have the proper paperwork to demonstrate compliance during an inspection.

Costs of Compliance vs. Non-Compliance

Investing in regular grease interceptor maintenance is far more economical than facing the consequences of neglect. For a routine cleaning of a well-maintained, standard-sized indoor trap (typically 30-200 gallons), restaurants in Lexington can expect to pay between $125 and $225 per service when on a scheduled maintenance plan ^{4 9}.

However, costs can rise significantly under certain circumstances:

• Emergency or One-Off Service: Pricing for an unscheduled cleaning can range from $190 to over $475, as it often requires immediate dispatch and may involve more labor if the trap is problematic ^{10 11}.
• Neglected Traps: If a trap has been allowed to exceed capacity or has developed solid blockages, the cleaning process becomes more complex and time-consuming, leading to higher costs.
• Large or External Interceptors: Larger in-ground units naturally cost more to pump due to their greater volume.

The true financial risk, however, lies in non-compliance. The LFUCG Water Quality department conducts inspections, and violations carry serious penalties. Fines can start at a minimum of $1,000 per violation and escalate to $10,000 for repeat offenses ^{1 8}. In severe cases, the city may pursue criminal charges or even seek to shut down the facility until the issue is resolved. The cost of a fine alone could cover years of scheduled preventive maintenance.

Implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Effective FOG control starts in the kitchen, not just at the interceptor. Implementing BMPs reduces the load on your grease trap, extends time between necessary pumpings, and demonstrates a good-faith effort to comply with city goals. Key BMPs for Lexington restaurants include ³:

• Train staff to scrape food scraps into trash or compost bins, not sinks.
• Use sink strainers in all prep, dish, and pot-washing sinks to catch solids.
• Dry-wipe greasy pots, pans, and dishes with a paper towel before rinsing.
• Collect used cooking oil in dedicated containers for recycling by a licensed collector-never pour it down the drain.
• Post clear "No Grease" signs in dishwashing areas as a constant reminder.

A well-trained team following these practices is your first and most effective line of defense against FOG-related plumbing issues and compliance problems.

The Compliance Checklist for Lexington Restaurants

To ensure you meet all local requirements, follow this step-by-step checklist:

1. Permit & Install: Submit grease interceptor plans to LFUCG Water Quality for approval before installation ¹.
2. Develop a Plan: Create a written FOG maintenance plan that includes your inspection and cleaning schedule ².
3. Schedule Service: Contract with a city-licensed grease hauler (e.g., Moon Grease Trap Cleaning) for regular service based on the 30% rule or 90-day/6-month mandate ¹².
4. Inspect Monthly: Conduct and document monthly internal inspections of your grease trap to monitor buildup ².
5. Practice BMPs: Train all kitchen staff on daily Best Management Practices to reduce FOG at the source ³.
6. Document Everything: Keep all service records, manifests, and inspection logs on-site for at least three years ¹.

By following this proactive approach, you transform grease interceptor maintenance from a reactive, costly headache into a manageable part of your restaurant's operational routine, ensuring you stay in good standing with Lexington's Water Quality department.

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