How to Install a 2000 Gallon Restaurant Grease Trap

While the capacity of grease traps may vary, they all are similar in design and are used to remove fats and other solids from drain water before it clogs the sewer system. Regardless of capacity, grease traps are a box with a baffle in the middle, an inlet and an outlet. Water enters on one side and can't move to the other side until the water level is high enough to top the baffle. Water on the other side can't exit until the water level on that side reaches the outlet. By keeping the water in the trap for a while, it allows the grease to solidify and fall to the bottom of the tank and not exit into the sewer system. Installing a 2000 gallon restaurant grease trap is a job best done by professional with plenty of experience as it involves heavy machinery and special permits.

Backhoe/excavator
Concrete saw
Dump truck
Gravel
Vibrating compactor
Concrete rings
Manhole covers

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the location of the grease trap. Grassy or natural areas make for a better place than areas that contain asphalt or concrete as these will need to be removed and then replaced.
- 2
  Remove the concrete or asphalt, if required, by using a concrete cutting saw along the perimeter of the hole. Make several cuts on the inside of the perimeter to make it easier to pull the concrete or asphalt out.
- 3
  Dig a hole several feet wider and longer, as well as deeper, than the size of the grease trap. A backhoe or excavator will make short work of the digging. Keep in mind that you will need access for heavy equipment and a dump truck as well as gravel and a place to store the dirt from the hole.
- 4
  Haul most of the dirt away. The excavator can place the dirt in the back of the dump truck with each scoop. You will need to retain some dirt for back fill.
- 5
  Fill the bottom of the hole with a foot of gravel. Crusher run is the standard fill, but you may use other sizes as long as they aren't bigger than No. 49. Your gravel supplier can help you choose the proper size of gravel.
- 6
  Compact the gravel in the bottom of the hole using a vibrating plate compactor.
- 7
  Place the grease trap in the hole. Center it between the sides of the hole. Make sure that the outlet is on the same side as the sewer pipe. The trap will come on a truck that is specially designed to also deposit the trap in the hole.
- 8
  Use pre-manufactured concrete rings to bring the access holes up to the level of the surrounding grade. The last ring should be the one designed to receive the manhole cover. Your grease trap supplier can provide this to you as well.
- 9
  Fill the area on the sides of the grease trap with gravel until it is half way up the side of the grease trap. Compact every foot or so with a small compactor.
- 10
  Connect the inlet and outlet pipes to the grease trap. If you execute this step too early, it will make it harder to get the fill in below the pipes.
- 11
  Fill the rest of the sides in with dirt as well as the top until it is at the same level as the surrounding soil. If you have to replace concrete or asphalt, fill up with dirt until you reach the level where the concrete or asphalt will start. Compact the soil after every four inches of vertical fill are in place.
- 12
  Pour concrete, install asphalt or lay sod over the top of the soil to finish the installation.

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