Grease Trap
Grease Trap | Commercial Plumbing | Plumbing | Chattanooga
From bustling downtown eateries to industrial kitchens along the Tennessee River, Chattanooga businesses count on HEP to keep grease traps flowing freely and up to code. Our licensed technicians bring decades of commercial plumbing experience to every job, arriving with hydro-jetters, vacuum rigs, and EPA-approved disposal methods that eliminate clogs, foul odors, and costly shutdowns in one visit. Because grease never clocks out, we offer true 24/7 emergency response—so when the fryer stays hot late into the night, so does our commitment to you.
We navigate local regulations, file mandatory reports, and schedule proactive maintenance that fits your rush hours, all while safeguarding your drains and the environment. Whether you manage a restaurant, hospital, or food-processing plant, HEP delivers reliable commercial plumbing solutions that keep your operations compliant, clean, and confidently open for business. Call today and let Chattanooga’s grease trap specialists protect your bottom line.
FAQs
What is a grease trap and why is it required for commercial kitchens in Chattanooga?
A grease trap (also called a grease interceptor) is a plumbing device that captures fats, oils, and grease (FOG) before they enter the municipal sewer system. Chattanooga’s FOG Management Ordinance, enforced by the City of Chattanooga and the Moccasin Bend Wastewater Treatment Plant, requires most food-service establishments—including restaurants, cafeterias, hotels, and institutional kitchens—to install and maintain a properly sized grease trap. Doing so prevents sewer blockages, backups, and costly fines while keeping the city’s wastewater infrastructure functioning efficiently.
How often should a commercial grease trap be cleaned or pumped?
Industry best practice and local Chattanooga code follow the “25 % rule,” which states that a grease trap must be cleaned when the combined thickness of floating grease and settled solids equals 25 % of the trap’s liquid capacity. For most busy commercial kitchens, that translates to pumping every 30–90 days. High-volume or 24-hour operations may need service as often as every 2–4 weeks, while low-volume establishments may be able to extend the interval to 3–4 months. Routine maintenance prevents foul odors, slow drains, and municipal violations.
What signs indicate my grease trap is not functioning properly?
Warning signs include foul odors around sinks or floor drains, gurgling or slow-draining fixtures, water backing up into sinks or dishwashers, visible grease in downstream clean-outs, and kitchen grease spills near the interceptor cover. If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule an inspection immediately; delays can lead to an overflow, health-department citations, or expensive emergency plumbing repairs.
Are there local regulations or permits I should know about for grease trap installation and maintenance?
Yes. The City of Chattanooga’s Industrial Pretreatment Program mandates that new or remodeled food-service establishments submit design plans for review and obtain approval before installing a grease interceptor. Traps must meet applicable IPC (International Plumbing Code) and Tennessee state standards, and installers must secure plumbing permits through Chattanooga/Hamilton County Building Inspection. After installation, most establishments must maintain cleaning logs on site for at least three years and make them available to city inspectors during periodic FOG compliance visits.
Can your plumbing company retrofit an existing kitchen with a new grease interceptor, and how long does installation take?
Absolutely. Our licensed commercial plumbers evaluate your current plumbing layout, peak flow rates, and menu to recommend the correct grease interceptor size (typically 20 gpm to 1,500 gpm). A standard in-line or outdoor gravity interceptor replacement generally takes one business day, while more complex retrofits that involve concrete saw-cutting or rerouting underground lines may take 2–3 days plus curing time for new concrete. We coordinate all permits, inspections, and post-install testing to minimize kitchen downtime.
What happens if I neglect regular grease trap maintenance?
Ignoring maintenance allows FOG to harden inside the interceptor and downstream pipes, leading to blockages, foul odors, pest attraction, and sewage backups that can shut down your kitchen. Chattanooga can issue citations or fines up to several hundred dollars per day, and you may be billed for municipal line cleaning if a blockage traces back to your facility. In severe cases, property insurance may not cover damage caused by preventable overflows. Regular pumping and professional inspections protect your business, reputation, and the environment.