Grease-trap Maintenance
Grease-trap Maintenance | Commercial Plumbing | Plumbing | Walland
Keeping Walland’s restaurants, cafés, and industrial kitchens in compliance starts with a spotless grease trap. HEP’s technicians arrive on schedule, pump and clean every compartment, flush the lines, and document the visit so you can sail through inspections without a hitch. Because our crews specialize in commercial plumbing, they understand local codes, disposal regulations, and the fine points of kitchen downtime—so the only thing your staff notices is how smoothly the sinks drain afterward.
From emergency backups at 3 a.m. to routine quarterly maintenance, HEP delivers transparent pricing, digital service records, and courteous pros who respect your workspace. Call today and turn a messy, high-risk chore into a worry-free partnership that keeps your operation cooking and your grease trap out of mind.
FAQs
What is a grease trap and why does my Walland commercial kitchen need one?
A grease trap (also called an interceptor) is a plumbing device installed between your kitchen drains and the sewer line. It captures fats, oils, and grease (FOG) before they cool, harden, and block downstream pipes. In Walland, all food-service establishments—including restaurants, cafeterias, and convenience stores—are required by county ordinance to have a properly sized, routinely serviced grease trap to protect the public sewer, avoid costly backups, and remain in compliance with health inspections.
How often should a grease trap be pumped or cleaned?
Most local codes and best-practice guidelines recommend pumping a grease trap when it reaches 25 percent of its liquid capacity in accumulated FOG and solids. For busy kitchens in Walland that can be every 30–60 days; for lower-volume operations it may be every 90 days. We offer free on-site assessments to establish a schedule tailored to your actual flow, menu, and operating hours, then provide reminders so you never miss a service interval.
Are there specific regulations in Walland or Blount County that I must follow?
Yes. Blount County Environmental Health requires commercial food facilities to: (1) install a correctly sized grease trap per the current plumbing code, (2) keep cleaning and disposal manifests for three years, and (3) ensure grease is hauled by a licensed transporter to an approved disposal site. Fines for non-compliance can reach $1,000 per day. Our technicians issue signed service logs after every visit and help you maintain the documentation inspectors expect to see.
What warning signs indicate my grease trap needs immediate service?
Common red flags include slow-draining sinks or floor drains, foul odors around the kitchen or parking lot, grease pooling in dish pits, audible gurgling in the plumbing, and backups during peak hours. If you experience any of these, call us promptly; ignoring them can lead to sewage overflows, health-department citations, and emergency shutdowns.
What is included in your professional grease-trap maintenance service?
Our standard service covers: (1) full pump-out of FOG, solids, and wastewater; (2) scraping and high-pressure rinsing of baffles, sides, and lid; (3) inspection of inlet/outlet tees and flow restrictors; (4) resetting water level to ensure proper separation; (5) disposal of waste at a state-approved facility; and (6) completion of a written manifest for your records. A typical 1,000-gallon interceptor takes 60–90 minutes with minimal kitchen disruption, and we offer after-hours scheduling to avoid lost revenue.
How does regular grease-trap maintenance benefit my business beyond code compliance?
Staying on a consistent service schedule reduces plumbing emergencies, extends the life of your drain lines, lowers hydro-jetting costs, eliminates foul kitchen odors, and keeps you in good standing with health inspectors, landlords, and insurance carriers. It also demonstrates environmental stewardship by preventing FOG from entering Walland’s wastewater system. In many cases, proactive maintenance costs 50–70 percent less than a single emergency backup and keeps your doors open during peak business hours.