Are bacterial additives safe for grease traps?
Yes. Bioaugmentation products use the same Bacillus species present in municipal treatment plants. They reduce FOG between pumpings and extend service intervals.
Why it happens
Bacterial additives, or bioaugmentation, introduce microbes that consume fats, oils, and grease (FOG). Unlike caustic chemicals, these are neutral pH biological treatments. They establish a living colony inside the trap that continuously breaks down solid grease into liquid byproducts, which flow out without causing downstream clogs or pipe damage.
What to check
Ensure the dosing system is operational, continuously feeding product into an upstream drain line. This allows for proper mixing before reaching the trap. Verify kitchen staff scrape plates thoroughly before washing to reduce the overall FOG load. The treatment's effectiveness depends on consistent application and proper pre-cleaning procedures to manage waste entering the drain system.
When to call a professional
Contact a professional if the trap requires frequent pumping despite treatment, or if strong sewer gas odors persist. Persistent backups also indicate a problem beyond simple bioaugmentation, possibly a hardened grease blockage or downstream line obstruction. A professional can diagnose the source, whether it's an undersized trap, incorrect dosing, or a line issue requiring hydro-jetting.
How Luften handles it
Luften manages grease trap performance through a comprehensive service program. We provide and maintain dosing equipment for continuous bacterial treatment to complement your pump-out schedule. Our in-house technicians perform documented service visits to verify system operation. This service can be consolidated with drain, trash, and other odor control needs into a single agreement with one point of contact.
Grease trap cleaning and maintenance program