Grease-trap Installation
Grease-trap Installation | Commercial Plumbing | Plumbing | McMinnville
Whether you run a bustling diner on Third Street or manage a production kitchen off Highway 18, you know that a dependable grease trap is the backbone of smooth, compliant operations. HEP’s seasoned technicians specialize in sizing, installing, and fine-tuning grease traps that keep fats, oils, and solids out of McMinnville’s sewer lines—saving you from surprise shutdowns and costly fines. We coordinate permitting, schedule around your peak hours, and leave every workspace spotless, so all you notice is better flow and total peace of mind.
Our team pairs hometown accountability with big-city expertise in commercial plumbing, bringing 24/7 emergency response, transparent pricing, and warranty-backed workmanship to every project. From first consultation to final inspection, HEP safeguards your reputation, protects the environment, and helps your kitchen stay focused on what it does best: serving great food to happy customers.
FAQs
Why does my McMinnville commercial kitchen need a grease trap?
A grease trap (or interceptor) prevents fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from entering the municipal sewer system. In commercial kitchens these by-products quickly accumulate, solidify, and cause blockages that lead to sewer backups, health-code violations, and expensive emergency repairs. McMinnville’s plumbing code and municipal wastewater ordinances require any food-service establishment—including restaurants, bakeries, hotels, schools, and grocery stores with deli counters—to install and maintain an approved grease trap to keep the public sewer system functioning safely and avoid regulatory fines.
How often should a grease trap be pumped or cleaned?
Frequency depends on usage and trap size, but the 25 % rule is the industry standard: when the trap is 25 % full of FOG and solids, it must be serviced. For most McMinnville restaurants this means pumping every 1–3 months, while high-volume fry kitchens may need monthly service and low-volume cafeterias may stretch to quarterly. Regular maintenance keeps the interceptor effective, extends its lifespan, and satisfies city inspection requirements.
What size grease trap do I need for my facility?
Sizing is based on kitchen fixture flow rates, number of sinks and dishwashers, peak discharge volume, and local code requirements. McMinnville follows Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code, which typically calls for traps ranging from 20 gpm/40 lb under-sink units to 1,500-gallon in-ground interceptors for full-service restaurants. Our technicians perform an on-site load calculation—factoring fixture capacity, meals served per hour, and menu type—to recommend the right model that meets code and minimizes servicing costs.
What is involved in grease trap installation and how long does it take?
1. Site assessment and sizing calculations 2. Permit filing with McMinnville Building Division 3. Excavation or plumbing modifications (in-floor, exterior, or under-sink location) 4. Trap/interceptor placement, venting, and inlet/outlet piping tie-in 5. Pressure and leak testing, backfilling (if exterior), and concrete/finish work 6. Final inspection and commissioning A small under-sink unit can be installed in 4–6 hours, usually after hours to avoid kitchen downtime. Exterior in-ground systems may take 2–3 days including excavation and concrete curing. We coordinate with health inspectors to ensure a smooth sign-off before you reopen for service.
Are there specific McMinnville regulations I need to follow?
Yes. McMinnville Water & Light enforces Section 13.36 of the Municipal Code, which adopts Oregon DEQ pretreatment standards. Key points: • All food-service establishments must have a properly sized and maintained grease interceptor. • Interceptors must be accessible for inspection and cleaning. • Maintenance logs (date, volume removed, hauler signature) must be kept on site for three years. • Discharging enzymes, hot water flushing, or solvents to bypass the interceptor is prohibited. Our team secures the necessary plumbing permits and ensures the installed system complies with these local rules.
What does grease trap installation and maintenance cost?
Costs vary by size and location. Typical ranges: • Under-sink 20-50 lb traps: $600–$1,200 installed • Indoor floor-mounted 100 gpm traps: $3,000–$5,000 installed • Exterior 500–1,500 gallon concrete interceptors: $8,000–$18,000 including excavation and paving repair Maintenance (pumping/cleaning) runs $150–$400 per service for under-sink units and $300–$700 for large exterior interceptors. We offer tailored service contracts that bundle scheduled pumping, compliance documentation, and 24/7 emergency response to keep your kitchen running and budget predictable.