Posted on: March 19th, 2025 by Apex Team

Preventing Grease Buildups

Some grease is good, too much grease is not

A common question for industrial facility maintenance professionals is “Can grease buildup be prevented?” The answer is yes. There is no way to eliminate grease from modern industrial facilities, but buildups can be prevented through several methods.

Preventing grease buildups also helps prevent safety hazards and maintenance costs (both time and money), making it a priority for any facility or maintenance manager.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways grease buildups can be stopped before they start.

Regular Preventive Maintenance

Regular maintenance of machinery and equipment, including lubrication schedules and inspections, helps identify and address potential sources of grease accumulation before they become significant issues.

Use Quality Degreasers for Maintenance & Cleaning

Using high-quality degreasers for maintenance & cleaning helps machinery & facilities run smoothly and safely. Maintenance teams should be aware of what types of degreasers can be for particular types of equipment and make sure they are used on a regular basis.

Biodegradable degreasers should be used whenever possible, as they are environmentally friendly and easy to dispose of.

Proper Containment & Storage

Store lubricants, oils, and greases in designated areas with proper containment measures, such as drip pans, spill containment pallets, or secondary containment systems, to prevent spills and leaks from spreading and accumulating on floors or surfaces.

Leak Detection Systems

Install leak detection systems, sensors, or alarms on equipment and machinery to promptly identify and respond to leaks or spills of lubricants, oils, or hydraulic fluids, minimizing the risk of grease accumulation and environmental contamination.

Proper Training & Continuing Education

Provide training and education for employees on proper handling procedures for lubricants, oils, and greases, including storage, transfer, and disposal practices, to minimize the likelihood of spills, leaks, or accidents that could lead to grease accumulation.

Quality Sealants & Gaskets

Ensure that equipment and machinery are equipped with properly maintained seals, gaskets, and fittings to prevent leaks and minimize the risk of grease or oil escaping and accumulating on surfaces.

Regular Cleaning & Maintenance

Establish and enforce good housekeeping practices, such as regular cleaning schedules, sweeping, and mopping of floors, to remove grease, oil, and other contaminants from surfaces and prevent buildup over time.

Evaluate Your Equipment

Sometimes facilities and worksites can have out-of-date equipment. Consider upgrading to equipment and machinery with low-maintenance designs like sealed bearings, self-lubricating components, or improved sealing mechanisms. This will help minimize the risk of grease accumulation and reduce maintenance costs & time.

Monitor Performance

Implement inventory control measures and usage monitoring systems to track the consumption of lubricants, oils, and greases and identify potential areas of excess usage or leakage that may contribute to grease accumulation.

With these general preventive measures, any industrial facility can effectively reduce the risk of grease accumulation, minimize safety hazards, and maintain a cleaner and safer working environment for employees.

RYDLYME The World’s Leading Biodegradable Descaler

For more than 80 years, RYDLYME has been the most trusted brand for removing scale from many parts of data centers–boilers, cooling towers, heat exchangers, condensers, chillers, and so much more. If you have further questions pertaining to the effectiveness of “The World’s Leading Biodegradable Descaler,” RYDLYME , please feel free to contact our main office.

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