Grease Interceptor Installs
Grease Interceptor Installs | Commercial Plumbing | Plumbing | Monterey
From bustling Cannery Row kitchens to boutique cafés tucked along the coast, Monterey businesses rely on spotless drains and compliant grease management. HEP specializes in swift, code-ready grease interceptor installs that keep operations humming, prevent costly sewer backups, and protect our bay’s fragile marine life. Our techs arrive with fully stocked trucks, size the interceptor to your exact demand, and handle every permit so you can stay focused on cooking, brewing, or serving.
Backed by decades of hands-on experience in commercial plumbing, we deliver precision craftsmanship, 24/7 emergency response, and transparent pricing with no surprise add-ons. Whether you’re outfitting a new build or upgrading outdated equipment, count on HEP to install, test, and maintain a system that meets city regulations and stands up to the heaviest lunch rush. Call today, and we’ll keep the grease where it belongs—out of your drains and off your mind.
FAQs
What is a grease interceptor and why does my Monterey commercial kitchen need one?
A grease interceptor (often called a grease trap) is a plumbing device that captures fats, oils, and grease (FOG) before they enter the sanitary sewer system. Monterey County Health Department and the Monterey One Water Pretreatment Program require most food-service establishments—restaurants, hotels, bakeries, school and hospital kitchens—to install and maintain an interceptor so FOG does not clog municipal sewer lines or interfere with wastewater treatment. Installing the correct unit helps you avoid expensive plumbing backups, municipal fines, and business interruptions while keeping your operation compliant with local and state environmental regulations.
How do I know what size grease interceptor my business requires?
Sizing is determined by fixture flow rates, the number of kitchen appliances discharging to the interceptor, and Monterey One Water sizing tables based on the California Plumbing Code (CPC) § 1014. Our licensed plumbers calculate peak flow (gallons per minute), apply the required retention time, and then select an interceptor with sufficient liquid capacity—typically 750, 1,000, or 1,500 gallons for full-service restaurants. We also consider future expansion plans, menu type (e.g., heavy frying vs. light prep), and space constraints. After sizing, we submit drawings to the city or county building department for approval before installation.
What permits and inspections are needed for a grease interceptor install in Monterey?
You will need: 1) a plumbing permit from the City of Monterey Building & Safety Division (or the applicable jurisdiction in the county), 2) plan review approval from Monterey One Water’s Source Control section, and 3) a trench/excavation permit if the unit is installed outside under pavement. After installation, both the building inspector and the Monterey One Water environmental inspector verify that the interceptor is installed per CPC, tested for watertightness, and accessible for servicing. Our team prepares the submittal package, coordinates inspections, and provides as-built drawings to streamline the process.
Will installation shut down my kitchen and how long does the work take?
A typical exterior in-ground interceptor installation takes 2–5 days, depending on soil conditions, depth of existing plumbing, and weather. Interior (under-sink) hydro-mechanical units can be installed overnight in 4–8 hours. We schedule trenching, concrete cutting, and tie-ins during your slowest business periods or after hours to minimize downtime. In many cases your kitchen can continue limited operations with temporary sink hookups or by using a portable wash station while we complete the work.
How often must a grease interceptor be pumped and serviced after installation?
Monterey One Water enforces the 25 % rule: when the combined grease and solids reach 25 % of total liquid depth, the unit must be pumped. For most restaurants this means every 1–3 months, but heavier-volume fry kitchens may need monthly service. Routine maintenance includes pumping, scraping baffles, inspecting inlet/outlet tees, and record-keeping. We offer scheduled service plans, provide manifest receipts as proof of disposal, and submit required maintenance logs during annual inspections.
What are the consequences of non-compliance, and how can your plumbing company help me avoid them?
Failure to install, maintain, or document your grease interceptor can lead to sewer overflows, emergency plumbing calls, and citations from Monterey One Water—fines can run $100–$1,000 per day plus cost recovery for line cleaning. Repeated violations may result in business license suspension. Our full-service plumbing team handles compliance from start to finish: sizing and design, permit acquisition, turnkey installation, ongoing pumping, and annual inspection coordination. We keep digital maintenance records and send reminders so you stay compliant and avoid penalties.