Grease-trap Maintenance
Grease-trap Maintenance | Commercial Plumbing | Plumbing | Ooltewah
Grease traps are the unsung guardians of every bustling kitchen in Ooltewah, quietly catching fats, oils, and solids before they sabotage drains and violate health codes. When they’re neglected, the consequences show up fast—foul odors, sudden backups, and costly fines that can grind service to a halt. HEP’s locally based team keeps your operation running smoothly with scheduled clean-outs, detailed inspections, and on-the-spot repairs that eliminate blockages before they become headlines.
From farm-to-table cafés on Apison Pike to high-volume cafeterias off I-75, our technicians tailor maintenance plans around your hours, so you never lose a lunchtime rush. We arrive with powerful vacuum trucks, hydro-jetting gear, and compliance documentation already in hand, then haul the waste away for eco-friendly processing. Best of all, our 24/7 emergency line connects you to seasoned experts who understand that a commercial plumbing crisis doesn’t wait for business hours.
Choose HEP for grease-trap service that’s proactive, code-compliant, and backed by decades of commercial plumbing experience right here in Ooltewah. Your drains stay clear, your kitchen stays open, and your reputation stays spotless.
FAQs
What is a commercial grease trap and why does my Ooltewah business need one?
A grease trap (also called a grease interceptor) is a plumbing device installed between your kitchen drains and the sanitary sewer line. Its job is to slow wastewater flow so fats, oils, and grease (FOG) can cool, solidify, and float to the top while solids sink to the bottom. This prevents blockages, foul odors, sewer backups, and costly fines. In Ooltewah—and across Hamilton County—local plumbing codes require any food-service business, cafeteria, or commercial kitchen that produces FOG to have a properly sized and maintained grease trap.
How often should my grease trap be pumped and cleaned?
Most commercial kitchens in Ooltewah schedule service every 30–90 days. The exact interval depends on trap size, kitchen volume, and the 25 % rule (when FOG and solids take up a quarter of the trap’s liquid depth, it must be serviced). High-output facilities like barbecue or fried-chicken restaurants may need monthly pumping, while smaller cafés might be fine on a 60–90-day cycle. Our technicians measure accumulated FOG at each visit and recommend a schedule that keeps you compliant and clog-free.
What are the warning signs that my grease trap needs maintenance?
• Slow-draining sinks or floor drains • Gurgling sounds in plumbing lines • Foul, “rotten egg” or rancid-grease odors near the trap or outside clean-out • Grease on parking lot or sidewalk surfaces (indicates overflow) • Grease levels above 25 % of liquid depth when you dip-stick the trap Addressing these signs quickly prevents kitchen downtime, health-department violations, and expensive emergency plumbing calls.
What does your professional grease-trap maintenance service include?
1. Pre-service inspection and measurement of FOG and solids levels. 2. Complete pump-out of liquids, grease, and settled solids with a vacuum truck. 3. Scraping and pressure-washing of trap walls, baffles, and inlet/outlet tees. 4. Inspection of gaskets, lids, and flow-control devices for wear or damage. 5. Accurate manifest and disposal at an approved Hamilton County facility. 6. Service log update for health-department compliance and future scheduling. 7. Recommendations on best practices to reduce FOG, such as skimming fryers and installing sink strainers.
What regulations apply to grease-trap maintenance in Ooltewah and Hamilton County?
The City of Chattanooga’s Industrial Pretreatment Program and Hamilton County’s Water & Wastewater Treatment Authority (WWTA) enforce rules that prohibit FOG discharge exceeding 100 mg/L into public sewers. Food-service establishments must: • Install an appropriately sized grease interceptor that meets IPC/UPC standards. • Keep maintenance records for at least three years and make them available during inspections. • Follow the 25 % FOG rule and ensure traps are serviced often enough to stay below this threshold. Failure to comply can result in fines, reinspection fees, or even suspension of your food-service permit.
How much does grease-trap maintenance cost and what factors affect the price?
In the Ooltewah area, routine grease-trap pumping for a 500- to 1,000-gallon interceptor typically ranges from $175 to $350 per visit. Pricing varies based on: • Trap size (gallons) • Amount of accumulated grease and solids (heavily loaded traps take longer to clean) • Accessibility (above-ground vs. in-ground or hard-to-reach locations) • Frequency of service (regular plans often receive discounted rates) • Emergency or after-hours requirements We offer free on-site assessments and flat-rate maintenance contracts to help you budget accurately and avoid costly surprise charges.