Grease Traps & Interceptors
Comprehensive Grease Trap Services for Nashville Businesses
If your business serves food, chances are you’re required by law to have a grease trap or interceptor. These systems capture fats, oils, and grease (FOG) before they enter the municipal sewer system. While these traps are typically cleaned by a licensed grease trap cleaning company, the piping systems around them often get neglected. Without regular maintenance, the pipes that support your grease traps can get clogged, causing backups and odors, and puts your business at risk for costly fines. Interstate AC helps you stay compliant and avoid disruptions with services tailored for commercial kitchens and food-service facilities.
What Are Grease Traps and Why Are They Required?
Grease traps, sometimes called interceptors, are plumbing devices installed in kitchens and food-service facilities to prevent grease and food solids from entering the sewer system. Over time, grease leading into these traps can solidify and clog the pipes supporting the grease trap, leading to backups and expensive emergency repairs. That’s where we come in.
- Compliance Requirement: Local governments across Middle Tennessee enforce grease trap regulations to protect sewer infrastructure. Failure to maintain your trap can result in citations, fines, or even forced closures.
- Facility Protection: By using preventative cleaning services to remove fats, oils, and grease from the surrounding plumbing system, you will be protecting your facility from costly plumbing emergencies that could shut down your kitchen and damage your reputation.
Common Issues with Grease Traps
Without proper cleaning and service, your grease trap system can develop problems that escalate quickly:
- Clogs and Backups: Grease buildup blocks flow, leading to sewage overflows in kitchens and restrooms.
- Foul Odors: Decaying grease and food particles create strong odors that spread through your facility.
- Compliance Failures: If the systems surrounding your grease traps are overflowing or unmaintained, it traps can trigger failed inspections and fines.
If your business is experiencing any of these issues, call us today to schedule professional service and protect your operations.
Signs You Need Service
- Slow drainage in sinks or floor drains
- Persistent kitchen or restroom odors
- Frequent backups requiring staff intervention
- Grease visible in places it shouldn’t be
Benefits of Regular Maintenance
Routine cleaning and inspection should be a key part of any food-handling facility’s preventive maintenance plan. Keeping the plumbing systems that support your grease traps clear protects your operations and saves money over time. A well-maintained system runs efficiently, preventing plumbing issues that can slow food prep or disrupt guest service. Clean traps also maintain a safe, sanitary environment by eliminating odors, reducing overflow risks, and protecting both staff and customers. This proactive approach minimizes emergency service calls and extends the life of your plumbing system.
Grease Trap System Services for Restaurants
Restaurants face some of the toughest challenges when it comes to grease management, and our team is equipped to handle them. We provide high-volume system cleaning to keep up with heavy kitchen usage and prevent costly backups that can bring operations to a halt. Regular maintenance also supports health code compliance by reducing grease-related risks and eliminating sanitation concerns. To make it easier on your staff, we coordinate service around your business hours so your kitchen can keep running smoothly without unnecessary disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should the plumbing system supporting my grease trap becleaned?
Most municipalities require grease trap cleaning every 30 to 90 days, depending on your cooking volume and the amount of grease produced. However, this service typically doesn’t include the plumbing lines that surround the trap. The supporting plumbing—the drain lines leading to and from the trap—should be flushed or jetted at least once or twice a year, or more often if you notice slow drains, odors, or backups. Regular inspection helps identify grease or solids buildup early, allowing you to service the lines before problems occur.
What happens if I skip maintenance on the piping systems around my grease trap?
Skipping maintenance on the plumbing systems around your grease trap can lead to clogged drains, foul odors, and unsanitary conditions. Over time, grease buildup can cause backups that disrupt operations and result in health code violations, costly fines, or in extreme cases, temporary closure.
How can I tell if the plumbing around my grease trap needs attention?
Signs that the supporting plumbing may need maintenance include slow drains, gurgling noises, unpleasant odors, or visible grease buildup in drain lines, even after you’ve gotten your regular grease trap cleaning. Regular inspections can
catch these issues early, helping you avoid backups, health code violations, and costly emergency repairs.
What’s the cost of neglecting the plumbing around my grease trap?
Neglecting the plumbing around your grease trap can lead to clogs, backups, and system failures that are expensive to fix. Emergency plumbing repairs can range from hundreds to several thousand dollars, depending on the severity of the
blockage and damage. Businesses may also face health code fines, increased service fees, and lost revenue due to downtime. Regular maintenance helps avoid these costs and keeps your operations running efficiently.
