Oil and water are not a good mix, at least they aren’t a good mix if they show up together in a public drinking supply, and this is always a potential danger where a restaurant is concerned. Grease and cooking oils must be prevented from entering the public system, and this is where grease traps and grease interceptors enter the picture.
The biggest differences between grease traps and grease interceptors is size and location. Both types of devices are alike in that they collect grease and oils and prevent these substances from entering the public water system via a private line.
Grease traps are the smaller of the two devices, and are usually located directly under a sink. Interceptors are much larger, are located outside of a restaurant or facility, and they are most often located a few feet underground.
It takes a licensed plumber to determine what size device is best suited for your facility, and this will be contingent on the volume and flow rate of wastewater from your facility’s kitchen sinks, dishwashers and mop sinks.
It is a legal requirement for food establishments to install and maintain proper grease interceptors, because these can mean the difference between a pure water system and a compromised system. Grease needs to be removed from traps and interceptors on a regular basis in order for them to work effectively.
Derksen Plumbing & Heating recognizes the needs of restaurant owners, and the company is expert at installation, maintenance and repair of traps and interceptors. Call one of our professionals at 204-668-4450, and we can arrange to take care of your situation.
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Derksen Plumbing & Heating Blog
Posted on February 7, 2012 by Derksen Plumbing & Heating
Posted on January 31, 2012 by Derksen Plumbing & Heating
Grease and cooking oil have great potential to clog drains and pipes. In the home it means that people need to be careful about what they put down the drain, but in a restaurant the potential problems are much greater, and special devices must be employed to contain all the grease and oil. Food establishments are required by Winnipeg city code to install and maintain grease interceptors.
Grease interceptors are required to be installed by a licensed plumber, so this is definitely not a do-it-yourself project. The business owner also owns the pipe from the point of connection to city services, and this area is the responsibility of the business owner to maintain. Maintenance logs have to be kept, and annual inspections are also mandated by city code.
What about restaurants that don’t use grease? Are they required to install an interceptor? The answer is “yes”, because a grease interceptor will also capture cooking oils, which also have great potential for fouling drain pipes. Although there are cases where requirements are waived, this can only be done on an individual basis, and necessitates an on-site inspection and appraisal of your business.
Derksen Plumbing & Heating is well-versed in city codes, and stands ready to assist you with your commercial and residential needs. Call us (204-668-4450) if you need assistance, or call our 24-hour hot line (204-944-3444) if you have a pressing emergency.
Posted on January 25, 2012 by Derksen Plumbing & Heating
A backflow prevention device is required whenever there is potential that cross connections can lead to contamination of the city drinking water supply. There are three basic types of backflow prevention devices: a reduced pressure assembly, a double check valve assembly or a dual check valve assembly.
It requires a plumbing permit to install a prevention device, and these permits are only available to someone who holds a Plumbing Contractor’s License. It is, however, up to individuals to make sure that a device is properly installed, maintained and repaired, tested periodically and retested if any repairs or maintenance are performed on the device.
It is also the responsibility of the owner to ensure that annual inspections are performed by a tester who is licensed by the city. Potential hazards are rated on a scale, and this rating helps determine the type of device that is needed. The greatest hazards are generally related to industrial and commercial facilities, and hospitals and mortuaries. The lowest ratings are for such household devices as flexible showerheads and water softeners, and in places like hair salons and beauty parlors.
Derksen Plumbing & Heating is available to address your needs, from repair and maintenance of an existing system to design and installation of a brand new system.
Contact us by phone (204-668-4450) or complete our online form , and we will be happy to serve you.
Posted on January 17, 2012 by Derksen Plumbing & Heating
Both terms, cross connection and backflow, have to do with plumbing situations that can potentially contaminate a pure water source. The City of Winnipeg is vigilant when it comes to protecting public drinking supplies, and the by-laws of the city code are very specific when it comes to system construction and maintenance.
A cross connection is described in the Winnipeg city website as “an actual or potential connection between the drinking water supply and a source of contamination in a plumbing system”. Any connection with this kind of potential must be safeguarded to prevent any incidence of backflow.
Backflow, as the name suggests, is a reverse flow of water back into the city system. There are two ways that this backflow can occur. The first way is known as “back siphonage”, and this can happen if the pressure in the city system drops, which can happen during periods of heavy municipal use, as during firefighting efforts. The other way backflow can be caused is known as “back pressure”, and you get this when the pressure is greater in your system than in the city’s.
Proper devices are necessary to prevent contamination, and Derksen Plumbing & Heating is ready to help you with all your commercial system needs. Give us a call (204-669-4450) or complete our online form and set up an appointment with one of our highly qualified professionals.
Posted on January 16, 2012 by Derksen Plumbing & Heating
Posted on January 10, 2012 by Derksen Plumbing & Heating
Cross Connections and Backflow Violate the Water Works By-Law of 1973
Potable water is a precious commodity, and one we need to protect. Here, in Winnipeg, we have statutes designed to enforce that protection. The Water Works By-Law contains provisions that ensure that the public drinking water supply will not suffer from the problems associated with cross connections and backflow.
Cross connections occur when a pure drinking source is linked, potentially or actually, to another source that may be contaminated. Backflows are what the name implies, and occur when reverse pressure at the end of a line is either greater than the incoming supply, or hasn’t been checked by a proper device. The possible health hazards are numerous, and the Winnipeg municipal government issues the following statement in the civil code book: “Backflows due to cross connections can cause illness and even death. Contact us if you any questions or concerns about this potentially dangerous situation”.
Property owners are cautioned about proper installation of devices that control backflow, and about the ways cross connections can be avoided.
If you have questions about your own system, then Derksen Plumbing & Heating has the answers. Our professionals are ready and able to service all your plumbing, heating and air conditioning needs.
Commercial and institutional projects are a specialty, so call 204-668-4450 or complete our online form, if you need your existing work checked or repaired, or if you have a need for new installation.
Posted on December 28, 2011 by Derksen Plumbing & Heating
Winter in Winnipeg can strain the heating systems and wallets of consumers, but there are a few things you can do to minimize some of these effects, and Derksen Plumbing & Heating can be your ally in addressing some of these issues.
The best defense against the cold is preventive maintenance. Have your system checked professionally on a yearly basis, and make any necessary repairs, installations or adjustments. An inspection and “tune-up” will assure you that all filters have been cleaned or replaced, and that heating equipment is in good working order.
Some other things you can do to reduce winter heating woes include making sure your house doesn’t dry out too much in the winter. A humidifier may be needed if the air becomes too dry. Moisture in the air helps hold in heat, and may aid in problems associated with health issues like asthma.
Reverse the ceiling fans to help spread warm air more evenly throughout your home. If you use a fireplace or wood stove, make sure the draft is adjusted down or you may find that you are just heating the neighborhood as warm air is lost up the chimney.
Remember, Derksen Plumbing & Heating is available, 24 hours a day, if you have emergency needs. Just call our hot line, at 204-944-3444. For inspections and maintenance, call 204-668-4450, and we will arrange to have our professionals deal with all your concerns.
Posted on December 21, 2011 by Derksen Plumbing & Heating
Ah, yes, the soft southern breezes and palm-draped beaches are a wonder to behold as you dip your toes into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Yes, winter in Florida can sure be nice, but what about the home you left back in Winnipeg, where temperatures will drop below zero for a good part of the season? Did you make sure to take the steps to protect your house from problems that can occur due to frigid temperatures?
If you are planning to be away for any part of the cold season, here are a few necessary steps to take before you pack the boogie boards. Keep a checklist, so you can reverse the process when you return home.
Outside – Disconnect and stow hoses when you are bringing in other outdoor things like furniture and plants. Shut off the water supply at the the mains. Drain all the water you can, from hoses, water lines, and any water features in the yard, such as ponds or fountains.
Inside – Turn off the water supply and drain the lines, but don’t turn off the heat, just turn it down to about 58 degrees Fahrenheit. If applicable, other things that may need to be drained include toilets and septic systems.
Empty refrigerators, clean them and turn them off, leaving the door open to avoid problems with mildew.
If you have questions or need anything fixed or replaced, Derksen Plumbing & Heating is just a phone call away, at 204-668-4450. For emergencies, call our 24/7 number, 204-944-3444.
Posted on December 14, 2011 by Derksen Plumbing & Heating
If you are taking off this winter don’t forget to prep your home while you are making your travel plans. In particular, remember to winterize your plumbing before you head off to dip your toes in the Gulf of Mexico. You don’t want to return to burst pipes and a flooded house, especially when you realize it was something that could have been prevented.
There are three main causes of frozen pipes: sudden drops in temperature, thermostats set too low, and insufficient or improperly installed insulation. You probably can’t do much to change the weather, but you can prepare for it by addressing the other two items. Derksen Plumbing & Heating can help you winterize your home, and they are just a phone call away (204-668-4450) if you need assistance. They are also happy to provide you with these house-saving tips to keep your pipes from bursting while you are busy trying to remember your sunscreen.
- Turn Off Water – Before you go, turn off the main water supply, and open a tap in the house to allow any water left in the pipes to have a place to go.
- Insulate Pipes – Wrapping pipes, both hot and cold, is advisable for both interior and exterior pipes.
- Heating Cables – Where winters are extremely cold, and Winnipeg certainly qualifies, wrapping the pipes with insulation may not be enough. Heating cables may be the logical next step. Follow the manufacturers instructions and don’t wrap cable around itself, as this could pose a fire danger.
- Thermostat – You don’t need to blast the heat while you are gone, but do set your thermostat between 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit. This should protect any interior pipes from the outside cold.
- Open Cabinets – Water pipes that run along exterior walls are more apt to freeze than those that run through the interior of the home. Opening cabinets, particularly under sinks, can allow warmer room air to protect pipes.
- The Neighbors – You aren’t the only one who needs to know where your main water shut-offs are located. If you have friends or neighbors coming by to check on your place, make sure they know where these shut-offs are as well.
- Phone Numbers – Among the phone numbers you should have prominently posted is the 24-hour emergency line to Derksen Plumbing & Heating (204-944-3444).
Posted on December 8, 2011 by Derksen Plumbing & Heating
and it’s 3 years in a row!
Once again, our office has won the bid at Alzheimer’s Gala to have the Hot103 host their morning show from our office. The proceeds from the bid went to a great cause. The Derksen Group also raised $6,200 for Koats for Kids.
We also held a hot breakfast fundraiser in the morning to collect food items for Siloam Mission.
What a fun and fanstic day! Thanks to everyone for their support. To see more pictures from that day, click here.