Grease-trap Installation
Grease-trap Installation | Commercial Plumbing | Plumbing | Elizabethton
Whether you operate a bustling diner on Elk Avenue or manage a growing manufacturing facility along the Watauga, a reliable, code-compliant grease trap is essential to keep business flowing. HEP’s certified plumbers bring decades of experience to Elizabethton, guiding you from sizing and permits to flawless installation and scheduled pump-outs. We handle the mess, the paperwork, and the inspections, so you can focus on serving customers instead of scrambling over surprise backups or fines.
Our team treats grease-trap projects as a cornerstone of true commercial plumbing excellence. You’ll get transparent estimates, 24/7 emergency support, and workmanship backed by industry-leading warranties—all delivered with the neighborly service Elizabethton expects from a local crew. Ready to protect your pipes, your kitchen, and your bottom line? Give HEP a call today and let’s keep your business cooking smoothly.
FAQs
What is a grease trap and why does my Elizabethton business need one?
A grease trap (or grease interceptor) is a plumbing device that captures fats, oils and grease (FOG) before they enter the municipal sewer system. Elizabethton and the State of Tennessee enforce FOG regulations for restaurants, cafeterias, convenience stores, hotels and other food-service establishments. Installing an appropriately sized grease trap protects your plumbing from clogs, prevents sewer back-ups, helps your business avoid costly fines, and keeps you in compliance with the City of Elizabethton’s Sewer Use Ordinance and TDEC (Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation) guidelines.
How do I determine the correct size grease trap for my commercial kitchen?
Sizing is based on fixture flow rates, the number and type of sinks or dishwashers, peak meal volume and the minimum retention time required by the 2018 International Plumbing Code adopted in Tennessee. Small kitchens may use a 20–50 gpm hydromechanical unit, while full-service restaurants often require a 500–1,000 gallon exterior gravity interceptor. Our licensed plumbers perform a free on-site survey, calculate your flow rates, consider future growth and submit engineered drawings to the City of Elizabethton for approval so you get a right-sized, code-compliant system.
Will you handle permits and inspections for my grease-trap installation?
Yes. We prepare and submit all permit paperwork to the Elizabethton Building & Planning Department, coordinate with the City of Elizabethton Water Resources Department, and schedule any required inspections with both city officials and the Carter County Health Department. You receive documentation that your installation meets local, state and federal codes, so you can focus on running your business.
How long does a grease-trap installation take, and will it disrupt my operations?
Most interior hydromechanical installations are completed in one working day. Exterior gravity interceptors, which require excavation and concrete work, typically take 3–5 days. We can stage major work after hours or on weekends, set up temporary dishwashing stations, and use dust-control barriers to minimize downtime. Your project manager will provide a detailed timeline before work begins so you can plan staffing and inventory accordingly.
How often should my grease trap be pumped or serviced?
TDEC and many insurance carriers follow the 25 % rule: when 25 % of the trap’s liquid depth is filled with FOG and solids, it must be pumped. For most restaurants that translates to every 30–90 days for interior units and every 90–180 days for larger exterior tanks. After installation we set you up on an automatic maintenance schedule, provide manifests for your records, and adjust service frequency based on real-time measurements to keep you compliant and odor-free.
Do you offer ongoing maintenance plans and emergency service?
Absolutely. Our Preventive Grease Management Program includes scheduled pump-outs, baffle and gasket inspections, high-pressure line jetting, and detailed compliance reports starting at about $135 per service for small units. We also provide 24/7 emergency response across Elizabethton, Carter County and the Tri-Cities area; a licensed plumber can be on-site within 60 minutes to resolve blockages, overflows or backup issues.