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Fat, Oil & Grease Management

Keep your kitchen drains flowing — without grease blockages and fatbergs

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Fat, Oil & Grease (FOG) Management in Cumbria

Commercial kitchens, hospitality venues, and food preparation businesses produce large volumes of fats, oils and grease (FOG). If left unmanaged, FOGs solidify in drainpipes, combining with debris and wet wipes to form hard “fatbergs” that block sewers and damage drainage infrastructure.

At Unblock Cumbria, we specialise in full grease management services across Cumbria and the Scottish Borders — helping restaurants, pubs, hotels and food businesses stay compliant, grease-free, and operational.

We handle everything from grease trap design and installation to regular cleaning, inspection, dosing systems, and legal compliance. Our aim is to prevent grease from ever entering the sewer network, saving you from emergency callouts, fines, and reputational damage.

Services

  • Design & install grease traps, grease interceptors, and grease recovery units (GRUs)

  • Scheduled grease trap cleaning & waste removal

  • Jetting & flushing of downstream drains to remove residual grease

  • CCTV inspections to detect blockages, buildup, or structural damage

  • Chemical or biological dosing treatments to break down grease (as part of a system)

  • Upgrades, modifications, or retrofits to existing systems

  • Compliance audits, documentation, and support for regulations

  • Monitoring & maintenance agreements to guarantee long-term performance

We work with any brand or model of grease equipment, and we tailor solutions to your specific usage, layout, and kitchen demand.

Why Grease Management Is Critical

Grease buildup doesn’t just cause inconvenient blockages — it has serious operational, environmental, and legal consequences:

  • Fatberg formation — When FOGs mix with non-flushable items, they create concrete-like blockages.

  • Sewer blockages & backups — Grease accumulates gradually in pipes and can lead to floods, odours, and kitchen shutdowns

  • High clearing costs & penalties — Local water authorities often recharge businesses when their drains cause public sewer blockages

  • Legal liability — Under Section 111 of the Water Industry Act 1991, discharging materials that interfere with sewer flow (like grease) is an offence

  • Hygiene & reputation — Grease blockages or foul smells degrade guest experience and can affect ratings or inspections

Proactive grease management protects your business, drainage network, and customer experience.

Why Choose Us?

  • Specialists in both drainage and kitchen grease systems — a complete “one-stop shop”

  • Licensed waste carrier for grease waste disposal in accordance with regulations

  • Accredited engineers (NADC, CHAS, SafeContractor) trained in FOG systems

  • Transparent quotations & documented proof of work — ideal for compliance inspections

  • Preventative maintenance contracts that reduce callouts and extend system life

  • Experience working with restaurants, pubs, hotels, schools, commercial kitchens

We don’t just clean grease — we build systems that prevent it from ever becoming a problem.

Areas We Cover

We’re proud to serve customers throughout Cumbria and beyond, including:

If you’re unsure whether we cover your location, just give us a call — our friendly team will be happy to help.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a grease trap and a grease separator?

A grease trap is a relatively small device, often installed on kitchen drains, to capture fats, oils, and grease before they enter the sewer. A grease separator (or interceptor) is larger, sometimes buried, and designed for higher flow volumes. Both serve the same purpose: keep FOGs out of the drainage system.

How often must grease traps be cleaned?

That depends on volume and usage. Many kitchens require cleaning every 1 to 3 months, or more frequently in high-demand setups. An effective maintenance schedule ensures reliability and legality.

Can grease be broken down chemically rather than physically removed?

Yes — biological or chemical dosing systems can help degrade grease over time, but only after the major buildup has been removed. These systems enhance performance, not replace regular cleaning.

What happens if I don’t manage grease properly?

Over time, fats cool and solidify, sticking to pipe walls and narrowing the flow path. Combined with other debris, this can lead to serious sewer blockages, backups, foul odours, and potential fines or liability.

Is it a legal requirement to have a grease management system?

Yes — in many jurisdictions, businesses discharging kitchen wastewater are legally expected to prevent FOG from entering the public sewer. Non-compliance may lead to enforcement action or fines under Section 111 of the Water Industry Act.

Do you offer 24/7 support for grease-induced blockages?

Yes — grease blockages can strike at any time. Our emergency service is available to respond swiftly, clearing blockages, restoring flow, and diagnosing root causes.

Get Your Free Quote

If you run a restaurant, café, pub, or commercial kitchen in Cumbria, don’t leave your drains to chance. Call 01900 870 140 or fill in our contact form to arrange a FOG inspection, grease trap installation, or ongoing maintenance.