Grease Trap Cleaning in Vancouver, WA
A grease trap that's past the 25% mark is one busy shift away from a slow drain, a rancid smell near the sink, or a note from your health inspector. We pump it out, document the service, and keep your kitchen on a schedule that stays ahead of all three.
Keeping FOG Out of Your Lateral Line
A grease trap is the small, point-of-use unit installed under a sink or just outside the kitchen door, standard equipment in cafes, food trucks, and smaller food-service kitchens across Vancouver. Its job is simple: slow the flow of wastewater long enough for fats, oils, and grease to separate and float while solids settle to the bottom, so what continues downstream into the city sewer is water, not kitchen waste. It's a small tank doing a specific job, and like any tank, it has a limit.
The industry standard is what's called the 25% rule: once grease and solids fill a quarter of the trap's total depth, it's time to pump it out. Past that point, the trap loses working volume, wastewater moves through faster than it can separate, and FOG starts passing downstream where it cools and hardens inside your lateral line. That's a different, more expensive problem than a full trap, since a solidified lateral often means an emergency call rather than a scheduled one. Restaurants that want to avoid becoming one of those emergency calls typically put us on a recurring route rather than waiting to notice a problem.
This page covers grease trap cleaning specifically, the smaller, under-sink unit. A larger, underground grease interceptor serving a higher-volume kitchen is a related but separate service. If you're not sure which one your kitchen has, Vancouver's grease trap specialists can identify it during the first visit and set you up on the right schedule from there.
Signs Your Grease Trap Needs Service
A slow-draining kitchen sink is usually the first thing staff notice, followed by a rancid or sour smell near the drain that lingers even after cleaning. A visible layer of grease near the trap's access lid, gurgling from the drain during heavy wash-down periods, or a health inspector's note referencing your last service date are each reasons to check the trap sooner rather than later.
If nobody on staff can say with confidence when the trap was last pumped, that uncertainty is itself worth resolving. A recurring schedule removes the guesswork entirely.
FOG Compliance in Clark County
Vancouver's food-service scene has grown steadily along both the Uptown Village and Vancouver Waterfront corridors, alongside longstanding kitchens in older commercial buildings near downtown and Hazel Dell. Older buildings in particular often have smaller, undersized traps installed decades ago for a kitchen running far less volume than what's now going through it, which shortens the realistic interval between services well below what a newer, properly sized trap would need.
Clark County's sanitation district enforces FOG discharge control requirements consistent with state and federal Clean Water Act standards, and health inspectors checking a kitchen's compliance history look specifically for documented, regular service, not just a trap that happens to be empty on inspection day.
Our Process for Grease Trap Cleaning
Assess Trap Condition
We check grease and solids depth against the trap's total volume to confirm service is needed and how much has accumulated.
Pump and Clean
Full extraction of FOG and solids from the trap, not just a partial skim.
Inspect Components
We check baffles and fittings for wear or damage while the trap is empty.
Document and Schedule
You get a dated service record, and we set the next visit based on your kitchen's actual accumulation rate.
Cost Of Grease Trap Cleaning In Vancouver
Cost depends on trap size and how much has accumulated since the last service.
| Service | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|
| Standard pump-out | $145 to $310 |
| Recurring account (per visit) | Lower than one-off rate |
These are planning estimates. We quote a flat rate before any work begins, confirmed once we've seen the trap's size and condition.
Built Around Your Kitchen's Schedule
Documented Every Visit
A dated service record for every pump-out, ready for a health inspection.
Recurring Routes Available
Set-and-forget scheduling so you never have to remember to call.
Guaranteed Workmanship
If a serviced trap backs up or shows incomplete pumping within the guarantee period, we return at no charge.
Grease Trap Cleaning FAQs
What's the difference between a grease trap and a grease interceptor?
A grease trap is a small, point-of-use unit installed under a sink or just outside the kitchen, typically handling under 50 gallons, common in cafes, food trucks, and smaller kitchens. A grease interceptor is a much larger, usually underground unit that serves higher-volume kitchens and is often required by code at that scale. We service both, but this page covers grease trap cleaning specifically.
How often does a grease trap need cleaning?
Most Vancouver kitchens need service every 30 to 90 days, based on the industry standard "25% rule": pumping the trap once grease and solids reach a quarter of its total depth. Fryer-heavy kitchens, high-volume restaurants, and undersized traps often need monthly visits, while lighter-volume cafes can sometimes stretch to a quarterly schedule.
How much does grease trap cleaning cost?
A standard grease trap pump-out in Vancouver typically runs $145 to $310, with recurring accounts priced lower per visit. Exact pricing depends on trap size, how long it's been since the last service, and whether we're clearing an active backup. We quote a flat rate before any work begins, no surprise line items on the invoice.
What happens if a trap isn't cleaned regularly?
Neglected traps fill past capacity and start passing FOG downstream, where it cools and solidifies inside your lateral line. That leads to slow kitchen drains, rancid odors near the sink, and eventually a full backup, usually during service, which is the worst possible time. Chronic neglect can also trigger surcharges or violations from the local wastewater agency.
Is this required by health department regulations?
Yes. Food-service establishments in Vancouver fall under local FOG (fats, oils, and grease) discharge control requirements enforced through the county sanitation district, and health inspectors routinely check for a documented maintenance history. Keeping your trap on a regular schedule with paperwork to show for it is part of staying in good standing on both fronts.
Can you set up a recurring schedule?
Yes, and most of our commercial accounts run this way. We'll assess your kitchen's volume and trap size, recommend a realistic interval, and put you on a recurring route so service happens automatically, no need to remember to call. Recurring accounts also get a reduced per-visit rate compared to one-off calls.
How is the removed grease disposed of?
Pumped waste is hauled off in our service vehicle and disposed of at a licensed waste-processing facility in accordance with local and state regulations. We never dump grease waste on-site or into the storm system, and we can provide disposal documentation alongside your service record if your health inspector or landlord requires it.
Can service happen outside our kitchen hours?
Yes. We regularly schedule grease trap service before opening, after close, or during slow windows so it doesn't interfere with prep or service. Just let us know your kitchen's rhythm when you book, and we'll build the route around it. Recurring accounts can lock in a standing time slot.
Is grease trap cleaning covered by a guarantee?
Yes. If a trap we've serviced backs up or shows signs of incomplete pumping within the guarantee period, we return and correct it at no extra charge. We stand behind the workmanship on every visit, not just the ones with a big invoice attached.
Get Your Grease Trap on a Reliable Schedule.
Call to get your grease trap on a recurring schedule, or book a one-time pump-out if it's overdue. We'll document the visit and set you up so it doesn't happen again.
Browse Every Service by Property Type
Residential
- ✓ Clogged Drain Clearing
- ✓ Drain Snaking
- ✓ Hydro Jetting
- ✓ Video Camera Drain Inspection
- ✓ Root Removal
- ✓ Sewer Line Cleaning
- ✓ Bathroom Drain Cleaning
- ✓ Kitchen Drain Cleaning
- ✓ Toilet Drain Cleaning
- ✓ Laundry Drain Cleaning
- ✓ Basement Drain Cleaning
- ✓ Roof Drain Cleaning
- ✓ Downspout Drain Cleaning
- ✓ Preventative Drain Maintenance
- ✓ Emergency Drain Cleaning
- ✓ Drain Odor Diagnosis and Removal
- ✓ Slow Drain Diagnosis and Repair
- ✓ Vent Stack Cleaning
- ✓ Water Leak Detection
- ✓ Floor Drain Cleaning
Commercial
Where We're Based
Based at 609 NE Repass Rd in Vancouver, WA. We run daily grease trap routes throughout Vancouver and into Camas, Washougal, and Ridgefield, so most commercial calls get a same-week appointment.