Grease Trap Maintenance
Grease Trap Maintenance | Commercial Plumbing | Plumbing | Whitwell
Keeping your Whitwell kitchen running smoothly starts beneath the sink—where fats, oils, and grease can silently clog lines, attract pests, and trigger expensive shutdowns. HEP’s licensed technicians arrive on your schedule with vacuum units, hydro-jetting equipment, and eco-safe cleaners that restore your grease trap to peak performance. We document every service for local health-department compliance, so you’re covered when inspectors walk through the door.
From 24/7 emergency pump-outs to scheduled preventative visits, our commercial plumbing team tailors maintenance plans that fit your volume, menu, and hours of operation. By catching small issues before they become blockages, we help restaurants, cafeterias, and food-processing facilities reduce downtime, avoid fines, and protect the environment—all while keeping the aroma of good cooking where it belongs: in the dining room, not the drain.
FAQs
Why is regular grease trap maintenance important for Whitwell food-service businesses?
Grease traps prevent fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from entering the municipal sewer. If they are not pumped and cleaned on schedule, grease can overflow into pipes, leading to foul odors, slow drains, sewer backups, health-department citations, and costly emergency repairs. Regular maintenance keeps your kitchen running smoothly, protects Whitwell’s sewer infrastructure, and ensures your establishment stays in compliance with state and local wastewater regulations.
How often should my commercial grease trap be cleaned in Whitwell?
Most commercial kitchens in Whitwell need service every 30–90 days, but the exact interval depends on trap size, menu type, cooking volume, and local code requirements. The industry rule of thumb is the “25 % rule”: once the trap is 25 % full of FOG and solids, it must be cleaned. We start with an inspection, measure the grease layer, and set up a customized schedule to keep you compliant and avoid overpaying for unnecessary pump-outs.
What are the warning signs that my grease trap needs servicing?
Common indicators include gurgling or slow floor drains, foul or ‘rotten egg’ odors around the kitchen or parking lot, grease in sink basins, high water levels inside the trap, and grease discharging into downstream clean-outs. If you notice any of these symptoms, call us immediately to prevent a complete blockage or expensive environmental fines.
What does your professional grease trap maintenance service include?
Our Whitwell service technicians: 1) inspect and document the trap’s current FOG and solids levels; 2) pump out all contents with a vacuum truck; 3) scrape walls, baffles, and cover to remove hardened grease; 4) pressure-wash interior surfaces when needed; 5) perform a functional check of inlet, outlet, and flow restrictor; 6) replace gaskets and hardware if worn; 7) dispose of collected waste at a licensed facility; and 8) provide a signed manifest and service report for your records and health-department inspections.
Are there regulations in Whitwell or Tennessee that require grease trap maintenance records?
Yes. The Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) and many local sewer authorities require food-service establishments to maintain pump-out manifests and cleaning logs for 3 years. Whitwell inspectors can request these records during routine visits or after a sewer overflow. Failure to produce documentation can result in fines or suspension of your discharge permit. Our service includes digital and hard-copy records to keep you fully covered.
How can I reduce grease build-up between scheduled cleanings?
Train kitchen staff to dry-wipe pots, pans, and plates before rinsing; install sink strainers to catch food solids; keep exhaust hood filters clean to reduce grease fallout; use metered grease-digesting bio-enzymes (if approved by the manufacturer and local code); and avoid using hot water or chemicals to liquefy grease, which only pushes it downstream. These best practices extend the life of your grease trap and can lengthen the interval between pump-outs.