Urgent
Kitchen Drain Backing Up
Slow or completely blocked kitchen drains are often caused by a full or failing grease trap. In LA County, a backed-up drain that reaches the floor is a health code violation.
How fast can we respond?
Standard request
Within 40h
Submit a request today, we coordinate a vetted provider and confirm your slot.
Request serviceBoh coverage
Zero effort
On coverage, this service is scheduled automatically — before it becomes a problem.
See coverage plansWhat to do
Stop putting water or waste into the affected drain and contact a licensed plumber or grease trap service provider within the next 24 hours. Document the backup with photos and note when it started, which drains are affected, and when the grease trap was last serviced. If water has reached the floor, restrict the area immediately and notify your manager on duty before resuming any operations in that zone.
What's causing it
The most common cause is a grease trap that has reached or exceeded capacity, forcing grease and solids back into the drain line. High-volume prep and dishwashing cycles push fats, oils, and food solids into the system faster than the trap can process them. Cold water use compounds the problem by solidifying grease inside the pipes before it reaches the trap. In older kitchens, corroded or undersized drain lines narrow over time and accelerate blockages.
What happens if you wait
A backed-up drain that reaches the floor is an active health code violation in LA County and can trigger an immediate inspection or closure order. Standing water in a kitchen creates slip hazards, contaminates food prep surfaces, and shuts down service areas until the line is cleared. Emergency plumbing calls and expedited grease trap pumping cost significantly more than scheduled service, and repeated backups signal a failing trap that will need full replacement if ignored.
LA County Environmental Health considers a drain backup that results in wastewater on the kitchen floor a health code violation subject to citation and potential closure.
How Boh handles it
Boh dispatches a vetted, licensed provider to your location. Every visit is documented — before and after photos, service report, compliance certificate if applicable. You never chase a vendor.
Primary service
Restaurant Grease Trap Cleaning
Need immediate repair?
Boh dispatches same-day for kitchen drain backing up-related repairs.
Not sure where to start?
Tell us what's happening and we'll route you to the right provider.