Grease Traps

Grease Trap Cleaning Services in Chicago, IL

Commercial kitchens depend on grease traps to keep fats, oils, and grease out of drain lines and municipal sewer systems. When grease and food residue build up inside the trap, your business may face slow drainage, unpleasant odors, backups, plumbing damage, or inspection concerns.

A&J Sewer Service provides professional grease trap cleaning for restaurants, cafeterias, commercial kitchens, and other food service businesses in Chicago, IL, and nearby communities. We clean interior and exterior grease traps, offer flexible scheduling, and use commercial equipment to remove accumulated grease, sludge, and debris thoroughly.

Our no-contract approach gives businesses the freedom to schedule the service they need without an unnecessary long-term commitment. Contact A&J Sewer Service today to request grease trap cleaning or discuss a preventive maintenance schedule.

How Does a Grease Trap Work?

A grease trap separates fats, oils, and grease from wastewater before those materials enter the plumbing and sewer system. Commercial kitchens produce greasy water while washing dishes, cleaning cookware, and preparing food. Without a working grease trap, those materials can cool, harden, and collect inside drain lines.

As greasy water enters the trap, it begins to cool. Fats, oils, and grease rise toward the surface because they weigh less than water. Heavier food particles and solids settle near the bottom. The water between these layers then moves toward the outlet and continues through the drainage system.

This separation process helps reduce:

  • Grease buildup inside pipes
  • Commercial kitchen drain clogs
  • Slow wastewater flow
  • Sewer line blockages
  • Strong grease odors
  • Unexpected plumbing interruptions

 

The trap can only hold a limited amount of material. Once grease and solids take up too much space, the unit loses its ability to separate them effectively. Regular cleaning restores capacity and helps the system continue doing its job.

Interior Grease Trap: Before

Interior Grease Trap: After

Grease Trap Cleaning Chicago Businesses Can Count On

A&J Sewer Service provides the grease trap cleaning Chicago, IL, food service businesses need to keep their drainage systems working properly. We remove accumulated grease, settled solids, and other debris from the trap instead of simply skimming the material at the surface.

Our cleaning process may include:

Thorough cleaning helps prevent grease from moving into connected drain lines. It can also reduce odors, restore trap capacity, and lower the risk of a disruptive overflow.

The right service frequency depends on trap size, kitchen volume, menu, operating schedule, and local requirements. A busy restaurant may need cleaning more often than a smaller facility with limited food preparation.

Satisfying customers time and Time Again

Years of Exceptional Service
0 +
Charles O.
I have used them for both my professional and personal needs! They are extremely knowledgeable, professional, and efficient. This family owned and operated business goes above and beyond not only in the services they provide, but the quality in which they provide them.
Mark S.
Called for a septic clean out. Bob was there in 30 minutes with truck, ready to do the job. Bob was great. Fast and Professional. Don't waste time with anyone else. Others will take days and cost 2 times as much. Call A&J first.
Bryan F.
A & J took the time to explain our catch basin and drain system to really help us feel more educated about what we are dealing with. They gave us some ideas that were not even part of their services and also rodded out our drain lines and supplied a video showing them crystal clear. I would recommend them to any homeowner in need of drain or septic service.

Specialized Care for Interior Grease Traps

Interior grease traps often sit beneath sinks, near dishwashing areas, or inside tight utility spaces. Their location can make pumping and cleaning more difficult, especially in busy kitchens with limited room to work.

A&J Sewer Service uses portable vacuum equipment designed for interior grease trap service. This equipment allows our team to reach traps in confined spaces while helping limit disruption to employees and daily operations.

Interior trap service may help correct or prevent:

  • Slow kitchen sinks
  • Grease odors near dishwashing areas
  • Water backing up into fixtures
  • Overflow around the trap
  • Grease escaping into drain lines
  • Reduced trap capacity
  • Recurring kitchen clogs


We tailor the service to the trap’s size, location, condition, and usage. We can also discuss scheduling options that work around your kitchen’s busiest hours.

Exterior Grease Trap Solutions

Exterior grease traps and grease interceptors usually hold more material than smaller indoor units. Businesses often install them underground outside the building, where they collect discharge from one or more kitchen fixtures.

A&J Sewer Service uses powerful vacuum trucks to pump large exterior traps and interceptors. Our team removes grease, sludge, settled material, and liquids so the system can regain the capacity it needs to operate effectively.

Our exterior grease trap services may include:

  • Complete pumping
  • Interior cleaning
  • Pressure washing
  • Visual inspection of accessible components
  • Baffle checks
  • Inlet and outlet observations
  • Preventive maintenance
  • Identification of visible damage
  • Proper handling of collected material


Exterior traps may require service more often when a kitchen produces large amounts of grease or serves a high volume of customers. Keeping a consistent schedule can help prevent the trap from reaching capacity between cleanings.

Commercial Grease Trap Cleaning and Maintenance Services

Food service businesses across the country rely on grease traps to protect plumbing and support local sewer requirements. The commercial grease trap cleaning and maintenance services United States businesses need should include more than occasional pumping after a problem develops.

A preventive service plan can help your business:

  • Reduce grease-related drain clogs
  • Lower the risk of trap overflows
  • Control unpleasant kitchen odors
  • Protect connected drain and sewer lines
  • Reduce emergency service calls
  • Keep maintenance records organized
  • Prepare for routine inspections
  • Extend the useful life of the grease trap
  • Limit interruptions to kitchen operations


A&J Sewer Service works with each customer to determine a practical schedule based on actual usage. Our no-contract flexibility allows you to adjust service as your business volume, menu, or operating needs change.

Signs Your Grease Trap Needs Cleaning  

You should not wait for a complete backup before calling for service. A grease trap often gives warning signs as it fills or begins to lose efficiency.

Contact A&J Sewer Service if you notice:

Slow Kitchen Drains

Grease may have started restricting flow inside the trap or connected drain lines. Slow sinks can become complete blockages when buildup continues.

Strong or Persistent Odors

Grease, food particles, and stagnant water can create unpleasant smells around the trap or nearby fixtures. Cleaning removes the collected material causing the odor.

Water Backing Up

Water that rises into sinks, floor drains, or dishwashing areas may indicate a full trap or blocked line. Stop using affected fixtures and arrange service promptly.

Visible Grease Near the Outlet

Grease escaping farther into the system may mean the trap has reached capacity or cannot separate materials effectively.

Frequent Drain Clogs

Recurring clogs may point to accumulated grease inside the trap or downstream piping. Clearing one fixture may provide only temporary relief if the main source remains.

Longer Time Between Drainage Cycles

A noticeable drop in flow can mean grease and settled material have reduced the available space inside the trap.

Overdue Maintenance

Even when the system shows no obvious symptoms, grease continues to collect. Routine service helps prevent problems before they interfere with business operations.

The A&J Sewer Service Difference

Commercial kitchens need a service provider that understands scheduling, cleanliness, communication, and the importance of limiting downtime. A&J Sewer Service brings decades of experience to grease trap, drain, sewer, and commercial wastewater systems.

Businesses choose our team because we provide:

Flexible, No-Contract Service:

Schedule cleaning based on your needs without committing to an unnecessary long-term agreement.

Interior and Exterior Trap Cleaning:

We service smaller indoor units and larger underground interceptors.

Commercial Equipment:

Portable vacuum units and vacuum trucks help us handle traps in different locations and sizes.

Thorough Cleaning Methods:

We remove accumulated grease and solids rather than providing a surface-level cleanout.

Experienced Technicians:

Our team understands commercial drainage systems and the problems that grease buildup can cause.

Clear Communication:

We explain visible concerns and recommend practical next steps without unnecessary pressure.

Required Hauling Credentials:

We maintain the credentials needed to transport collected material according to applicable requirements.

Additional Commercial Services:

Our team can address related drain, sewer, interceptor, and pumping needs.

We focus on dependable service that helps customers maintain clean, efficient systems.

We Can Assist With Sewer and Septic Needs

A grease trap problem may also affect nearby drains or sewer lines. A&J Sewer Service provides additional commercial services that can help businesses manage connected systems.

Our services include:


If grease has already moved beyond the trap, our team can evaluate the affected drainage components and recommend an appropriate solution.

Our cooking oil collection service also gives commercial kitchens a separate option for managing used fryer oil. Keeping cooking oil out of sinks and grease traps can reduce buildup and help the system work more effectively.

Contact Us for Stress-Free Grease Trap Maintenance

A full or poorly maintained grease trap can slow down your kitchen, create odors, block drains, and interfere with daily operations. Routine service helps your business stay ahead of these problems.

A&J Sewer Service provides reliable grease trap cleaning for restaurants and commercial kitchens throughout Chicago, IL, and surrounding areas. We offer flexible scheduling, professional equipment, and thorough service for interior and exterior systems.

Contact A&J Sewer Service today to schedule grease trap cleaning or create a maintenance schedule for your business.