Grease Trap Installs
Grease Trap Installs | Commercial Plumbing | Plumbing | Bluff City
From bustling restaurants on the Bluff City strip to busy school cafeterias, a dependable grease trap keeps every sink flowing freely and every inspection worry-free. HEP’s licensed technicians size, install, and test each unit with laser-focused precision—protecting your pipes, preventing costly shutdowns, and keeping you compliant with city, state, and EPA standards. We arrive on schedule, work around your hours, and leave the workspace spotless so you can get back to serving customers without missing a beat.
Backed by decades of commercial plumbing expertise, our team pairs premium parts with transparent pricing and 24/7 emergency support. Whether you’re opening a new kitchen or upgrading an outdated interceptor, HEP delivers the local know-how and big-job muscle Bluff City businesses trust. Call today and discover how easy safeguarding your operation can be.
FAQs
Why does my Bluff City restaurant or commercial kitchen need a grease trap?
Bluff City, like the rest of Tennessee, follows state plumbing and environmental regulations that prohibit fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from entering the sanitary sewer system. A properly sized and maintained grease trap captures FOG before it solidifies in drain lines, preventing backups, foul odors, emergency downtime, and potential fines. Installing a grease trap is not only a legal requirement for most food-service establishments but also a cost-effective way to protect your plumbing and the city’s wastewater infrastructure.
How do I determine the right size grease trap for my business?
Grease traps are sized based on flow rate (gallons per minute) and grease-holding capacity (pounds). We calculate these figures by evaluating the number and size of your sinks, dishwashers, and other fixtures, as well as your peak meal volume. Bluff City generally follows International Plumbing Code (IPC) sizing guidelines, but local inspectors may have additional requirements. During a site visit, our licensed plumbers measure fixture volumes, apply IPC formulas, and recommend a grease trap that meets code while allowing room for future growth.
Will installation disrupt my day-to-day operations?
Most installations are completed in a single day. We coordinate with you to schedule work during off-peak hours—early mornings, late evenings, or even overnight—to minimize downtime. Our technicians isolate the section of piping that serves your kitchen, install the new grease trap, and perform pressure/leak tests before reconnecting service. You will receive clear instructions on when water service will be briefly interrupted and how to resume normal operations once the job is complete.
Do I need permits or inspections in Bluff City for a grease trap install?
Yes. The City of Bluff City building department and Sullivan County Health Department both require a plumbing permit for grease trap installations. After the work is complete, a city plumbing inspector will verify the trap size, venting, and clean-outs. Our team handles the entire permitting process—application, fees, scheduled inspections—and provides you with all signed paperwork for your records and future health inspections.
How often should a commercial grease trap be pumped and serviced?
The industry rule is the 25 % rule: pump the trap when grease and solids reach 25 % of the total liquid depth. For most Bluff City restaurants, that translates to every 30-90 days, depending on menu type, volume, and trap size. A regular maintenance plan includes pumping, interior scraping, baffle inspection, and detailed service logs. We offer customizable service contracts to help you stay compliant and avoid emergency blockages.
What factors affect the cost of installing a grease trap in Bluff City?
Pricing depends on trap size (20 lb indoor units to 1,000 gal outdoor interceptors), material (steel, fiberglass, or HDPE), location (above-floor, in-floor, or exterior), plumbing reroutes, and site conditions such as concrete cutting or asphalt repair. Permit fees in Bluff City typically range from $50-$150. A small indoor unit might start around $1,200 installed, while a large outdoor unit with excavation can exceed $8,000. We provide a detailed, no-obligation quote after an on-site assessment, so you know exactly what to expect.