Professional Solutions for Restaurants, Food Plants, and Commercial Kitchens, Butcher shops, Automotive and Industrial

Trusted Grease Trap Cleaning in Edmonton and Surrounding Communities

At First Choice Plumbing and Heating, we provide dependable, professional grease trap cleaning and maintenance for restaurants, butcher shops, meat processing plants, and commercial food operations across Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Spruce Grove, Leduc, Beaumont, Stony Plain, Nisku, and nearby areas.

We understand that a plugged or poorly maintained grease trap doesn’t just smell bad—it can shut down your business, trigger health code violations, or lead to costly plumbing damage. That’s why we take a hands-on, thorough approach every time, ensuring your grease trap or oil interceptor is completely cleaned, documented, and ready to pass any inspection.

What Is a Grease Trap and Why Is Cleaning So Important?

A grease trap (also called a grease interceptor) is a plumbing device designed to capture fats, oils, and grease (FOG) before they enter your drainage system. These traps help prevent sewer backups, clogs, and contamination of municipal wastewater systems.

Without regular cleaning:

  • FOG hardens and builds up inside the trap and connecting pipes
  • Strong odours develop
  • Wastewater begins to back up
  • You’re at risk of health violations or shutdowns

Most municipalities—including the City of Edmonton—require regular cleaning and maintenance of grease traps under their Sewer Use Bylaws.

Industries & Facilities We Service

We work with a wide range of businesses and facilities that produce high volumes of FOG or oil waste:

  • Full-service restaurants
  • Fast food kitchens
  • Meat processing facilities
  • Commercial butcher shops
  • Institutional kitchens (schools, hospitals, senior centres)
  • Grocery stores and bakeries
  • Food prep and packaging plants
  • Cafés, pubs, and breweries
  • Commercial kitchens in industrial or office settings
  • Automotive shops (for oil interceptor cleaning)

No matter the size of your operation, our team has the equipment and experience to clean, service, and maintain your grease or oil management system.

Our Grease Trap Cleaning & Inspection Process

When you call First Choice Plumbing and Heating, you’re not just getting a quick pump-out. We offer a complete, professional cleaning and inspection service that ensures your trap is empty, clean, and ready to perform.

1. Site Evaluation

We begin every service with a full on-site assessment:

  • Identify trap location and accessibility
  • Confirm trap size and model
  • Check for recent cleaning or servicing history
  • Review kitchen usage patterns to understand FOG output

2. Grease Trap Inspection

Before we start the cleaning, we inspect:

  • Baffles and interior walls for damage or misalignment
  • Grease and sludge depth using calibrated measuring tools
  • Inlet and outlet T-pipes to ensure proper flow
  • Presence of corrosion, cracks, or leaks
  • Signs of odour issues, slow drainage, or backups

We document all findings in a digital service report with before/after photos for your records.

3. Full Pump-Out & Waste Removal

Using high-powered vacuum equipment, we:

  • Pump out the entire contents of the trap
  • Remove surface grease, solids, and sediment
  • Extract any floating food waste and settled sludge

We do not “skim” or partially empty traps—everything is removed down to the base.

4. Pressure Washing & Scrubbing

Once emptied, we clean the trap’s interior using:

  • Low-impact pressure washing (to avoid damage)
  • Degreasers approved for food-service environments
  • Manual scrubbing of baffles, T-pipes, and walls

This step removes sticky buildup that a pump-out alone can’t fix.

5. Final Rinse, Inspection & Recommendations

After cleaning, we perform a final check:

  • Confirm that flow is restored
  • Recheck levels and components
  • Seal the lid with anti-odour gaskets (if applicable)
  • Provide a recommended service interval and compliance notes

We offer maintenance tracking and scheduled service reminders for clients who prefer hassle-free compliance.

Oil Interceptor Cleaning – Industrial & Automotive Facilities

In addition to grease traps, we clean and maintain oil interceptors used in:

  • Car washes
  • Parkades
  • Automotive shops
  • Manufacturing plants
  • Warehouses and garages

These interceptors separate oil, sediment, and chemical contaminants from wastewater. If left untreated, they can cause major plumbing issues and serious environmental violations.

Our oil interceptor service includes:

  • Pump-out of all oil, water, and sediment
  • Wall scrubbing and pipe cleaning
  • Flow check and inspection
  • Documentation for compliance or insurance

How Often Should a Grease Trap Be Cleaned?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but we follow this general rule:

If your grease trap is more than 25% full of FOG or solids, it’s time to clean it.

In Edmonton, most commercial kitchens need service every:

  • 4 to 12 weeks, depending on volume and trap size
  • High-use kitchens (deep frying, meat prep) may need more frequent service

We’ll help you determine a custom cleaning schedule based on:

  • Size and design of your trap
  • Type of food preparation
  • Hours of operation and staff size
  • Past issues with odours or backups

Why Choose First Choice Plumbing and Heating?

  • ✅ Local Experts with experience in Edmonton’s bylaws and sewer regulations
  • ✅ Licensed & Insured for all commercial and industrial plumbing work
  • ✅ Detailed Service Reports with documentation for inspectors
  • ✅ Scheduled Maintenance Plans so you never miss a clean-out
  • ✅ Clean Work, No Disruption – we respect your space and operations
  • ✅ Available 24/7 for emergency grease trap backups or issues

Areas We Service

We proudly serve businesses throughout:

  • Edmonton
  • Sherwood Park
  • St. Albert
  • Leduc
  • Spruce Grove
  • Stony Plain
  • Beaumont
  • Nisku
  • Fort Saskatchewan
  • Devon
  • Morinville
  • Bon Accord
  • And other surrounding towns in the Capital Region

If you’re not sure whether we service your area, just give us a call—we likely do.

Book Your Grease Trap or Oil Interceptor Cleaning Today

Avoid costly shutdowns, foul odours, or plumbing disasters. First Choice Plumbing and Heating is your go-to partner for reliable grease trap and oil interceptor maintenance in Edmonton and area.

📞 Call 587-990-3093
📧 Email kelvin@firstchoiceplumbingandheating.ca

Let us take the stress out of compliance and keep your kitchen or facility running at full speed.