Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need to Treat my Grease Trap?

Treating your drains and grease trap with a bacterial additive is not a legal requirement. However, extensive independant studies have shown that approved and licenced treatments significantly reduce the buildup of FOG (fats, oils & grease) in pipes, drains and grease traps. This is turn reduces the frequency of expensive cleaning which justifies the cost of treatment.

Can I Treat the Grease Trap Myself?

Yes. Bacterial treatments are safe to handle and environmentally friendly. They can be hand dosed into a sink at regular intervals but they are most effective when allowed to sit in an idle plumbing system for up to 4 hours each day e.g. last thing at night.

Automated dosing via a digital peristaltic pump is recommended as it eliminates human error and ensures consistent, accurate and timed dosing each day.

Do All Drain Treatments Work?

No. The use of enzymatic drain treatments are banned in Ireland. Studies show that these additives temporarily suspend and liquify FOG (fats, oils & grease) which later solidify further down the line to cause blockages.

When choosing a bacterial drain treatment look for a Local Authority or Irish Water approved permit number and always purchase from a well established licensed supplier. A reputable company will often supply and install a free-on-loan dosing pump if you commit to buying their product.

How Does the Bacterial Treatment Work?

Simply put, approved bacterial treatments digest grease and other organic waste to prevent FOG (fats, oils & grease) from blocking plumbing systems and grease traps.

The Technical Bit:

Fats, oils and grease, or triglycerides, have a common molecular structure, consisting of a glycerol headpiece to which three fatty acid chains are attached. In the first hydrolysis stage of breakdown, the enzyme lipase catalyses the removal of the fatty acid chains from the glycerol headpiece. The second stage is beta-oxidation, in effect where the liberated fatty acids are cleaved, 2 carbon units at a time, forming a molecule called acetyl co-enzyme A – water and energy. This process continues until the entire fatty acid molecule has been cleaved into acetyl co-enzyme A molecules.

Finally, it is acetyl co-enzyme A that enters the Krebs cycle (TCA cycle/citric acid cycle) to be oxidised into carbon dioxide and water, with the production of energy.

How Do I Get Rid of Bad Smells?

    Bad odours are the result of a poorly maintained or badly designed grease trap. A good quality bacterial treatment will reduce bad odours but there is no substitute for a well-designed grease trap.

    • The lid of the unit should be mechanically secured to create a 100% airtight and watertight seal.
    • It should only be opened a few times per year for professional emptying.
    • It should be properly vented to allow the controlled escape of gases and bad odours.
    • A maintenance plan or SLA (Service Level Agreement) is recommended

    Bacterial Dosing

    The Most Effective Solution

    Do I Need to Treat my Greasetrap?

    Treating your drains and grease trap with a bacterial additive is not a legal requirement. However, extensive independant studies have shown that approved and licenced treatments significantly reduce the buildup of FOG (fats, oils & grease) in pipes, drains and grease traps. This is turn reduces the frequency of expensive cleaning which justifies the cost of treatment.

    Fat Attack being dosed via a dosing pump

    Rhino Food Interceptor by Taylormade

    Over time, food waste can accumulate in pipes & drains which in turn cause bad odours & costly blockages.

    Designed to restrict solid waste from entering pipes, public sewers, grease traps & waste water treatment plants. Works in conjunction with your grease trap.

    Rhino Food Interceptor and a box of rhino filters

    Rhino Food Interceptor by Taylormade

    Over time, food waste can accumulate in pipes & drains which in turn cause bad odours & costly blockages.

    Designed to restrict solid waste from entering pipes, public sewers, grease traps & waste water treatment plants. Works in conjunction with your grease trap.

    Rhino Food Interceptor and a box of rhino filters