Grease-trap Maintenance
Grease-trap Maintenance | Commercial Plumbing | Plumbing | Jellico
Grease-trap emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours, and neither does HEP’s team. From bustling diners on 5th Street to the hospital cafeteria up the hill, Jellico businesses trust our seasoned technicians to pump, scrape, and jet their grease interceptors before backups turn into shutdowns. We arrive equipped with vacuum rigs, hydro-jets, and the permits needed to dispose of waste legally, so your kitchen stays open, compliant, and odor-free.
Behind every visit is the broader expertise that makes us the local leaders in commercial plumbing. Whether you need scheduled maintenance, surprise troubleshooting, or a full retrofit to meet new codes, HEP delivers fast response, transparent pricing, and workmanship that keeps the fryers sizzling and the guests smiling. Call today and keep your operation running clean.
FAQs
What is a grease trap and why does my Jellico commercial kitchen need one?
A grease trap (also called a grease interceptor) is a plumbing device installed on the drain line to capture fats, oils, and grease (FOG) before they reach the city sewer. Jellico’s municipal code, in line with Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation guidelines, requires nearly all food-service establishments—including restaurants, cafeterias, grocery delis, and school kitchens—to have a properly sized and maintained grease trap. Failing to do so can lead to sewer blockages, costly fines, and possible closure orders.
How often should my grease trap be pumped and cleaned?
For most Jellico restaurants, we recommend a full pump-out and cleaning every 30 to 60 days. However, the exact frequency depends on kitchen volume, menu (high-grease foods fill traps faster), and trap size. The city’s "25 percent rule" states that when the combined layer of FOG and solids reaches one-fourth of the trap’s total liquid depth, it must be serviced immediately. We offer free on-site evaluations to set a customized maintenance schedule.
What does your grease-trap maintenance service include?
Our turnkey service covers: (1) pumping out all liquids, FOG, and solids; (2) scraping and pressure-washing interior baffles and walls; (3) inspecting inlet/outlet tees and flow restrictors; (4) checking for cracks, corrosion, or gasket failure; (5) recording grease and sludge depths for compliance logs; and (6) hauling the waste to a state-approved recycling or disposal facility. Before we leave, we run fresh water through the system to confirm full flow and zero leaks.
Can you help me stay compliant with Jellico’s FOG ordinances and paperwork?
Yes. After every service we issue a detailed manifest that lists the date, volume removed, disposal site, and technician credentials. We keep digital copies for five years, which exceeds Jellico’s record-retention requirement of three years. If the city inspector requests your logs, simply call us and we will email or fax them the same day.
What are signs that my grease trap needs immediate attention?
Warning indicators include: slow floor drains, gurgling sounds, foul odors in the kitchen or parking lot, grease backing up into sinks, and visible FOG discharge in the manhole downstream from your trap. If you notice any of these, call us 24/7. We have emergency crews in Jellico that can respond within two hours to prevent service interruption.
Do you offer scheduled contracts and volume discounts for multiple locations?
Absolutely. We provide monthly, bi-monthly, and quarterly contracts that lock in discounted rates and guarantee priority scheduling. Multi-site operators in Campbell County receive additional price breaks, consolidated invoicing, and a dedicated account manager. Ask about combining grease-trap maintenance with our commercial drain-line jetting for even greater savings.