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Local Family Owned and Veteran Operated Business

Serving Southern Oregon Since 2006

ABOUT

AMERICAN PUMPER

American Pumper provides grease trap maintenance and repair services and septic system pumping in Medford, Oregon and the Rogue Valley.
 
We do residential and commercial grease trap and septic system maintenance and repair.
 
Contact us with any questions or needs that you may have. We offer free estimates.
 
541-890-9949
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Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Septic System Tank pumping and grease trap Cleaning and pumping in medford oregon and the rogue valley.

Family Owned & Operated

in the Rogue Valley

3 Most Common Grease Traps

 

Based on Oregon plumbing codes and common commercial kitchen configurations, the three most common types of grease traps/interceptors used are:

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  • Passive Hydro-mechanical Grease Traps (indoor)

  • Gravity Grease Interceptors (outdoor)

  • Automatic Grease Removal Units (AGRUs)

 

Passive Hydro-mechanical Grease Traps (Manual)

These are small, indoor units typically installed under sinks or in the floor near dishwashers. They are the most common type for smaller food establishments, such as cafes, food carts, and smaller restaurants in Oregon. They operate via gravity to separate Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) from water using baffles.

 

Gravity Grease Interceptors (GGI)

These are large concrete or fiber-reinforced tanks installed outside the facility and underground. Required for high-volume operations such as large restaurants and institutions, these must comply with Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code and often have a capacity of 300 gallons or more.

 

Automatic Grease Removal Units (AGRUs)

Also known as automatic grease removal devices, these are high-tech, specialized units that use motorized skimmers to remove grease automatically, reducing the need for manual cleaning. These are increasingly common in busy commercial kitchens that want to reduce, but not eliminate, the frequency of professional pumping services.

 

Key Requirements in Oregon

  • Maintenance: In some cities, traps must be serviced at least every 30 to 90 days depending on the type.

  • ​Regulations: Food establishments must prevent FOG from entering the sewer system, often necessitating a 3-compartment sink connection to one of these devices.

Maintenance Of Your Home Septic System

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Here in Southern Oregon many homes have septic tanks. Some people would be surprised at the number of septic systems here in Medford, Oregon and the Rogue Valley.

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  • Correct Septic Tank Installation - It is very important to have your septic tank installed properly. A properly installed septic tank will be easier for septic tank maintenance over time.   Soil tests to make sure the ground is correct for a septic tank is important.

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  • Well worth repeating - try not to overload your septic tank. Make sure you don't have leaks anywhere in the house. 

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  • Be careful what goes into your toilet - Don't ever flush diapers, tampons or any thing that has volume in your toilet.

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  • Keep trees and bushes away from your septic system. In southern Oregon things grow very fast due to very good soil and conditions so it is important to keep the djainfield clear of growing items.

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  • Be careful of what types of cleaners you use with your septic tank.

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  • Have a qualified company perform maintenance on your septic tank periodically.

6 Septic System and Tank Maintenance Tips

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Septic tank maintenance is important for the health of your family and home. Un-detected leaks and blocks in your septic system can create contamination issues for your house and can lead to costly cleanup and repairs.  Periodic septic tank maintenance can prevent issues for you down the road.  Here are some tips for septic tank.  Here are some septic tank maintenance tips.

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  • Protect your septic tank and drain field. It is important to protect your septic tank from potential damage.  It is a good idea to not plant grass, plants or trees near your system. 

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  • Have your septic tank pumped and cleaned. It is important to have your septic tank pumped periodically.  With proper pumping and maintenance you can avoid sewage backups that can cost you in the long run. It is recommended that you have your septic system pumped and cleaned every three to five years. 

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  • Don't overload your septic system. If you overload your septic system with water problems can occur. An overloaded system can move solid waste from the tank into the drain field. 

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  • Try and reduce home water use. With every flush of the toilet, or shower use all water will flow into your septic tank system.  One way to prevent issues is to install low flow options in all sinks and the kitchen. 

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  • Be careful of cleaning products. While many cleaning products are fine for septic systems, there are a few cleaning items that can cause issues. Drain cleaners for example can kill wanted organisms in your septic system are needed for daily operation. Toxic cleaning materials can also be dangerous for your septic tank.

 

  • Don't put off septic tank repairs. It is always better to get any septic tank issues taken care of right away so they won't get worse and more expensive later. 

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