A restaurant can be completely shut down while its grease interceptor remains full of wastewater, FOG and settled solids.

Whether the closure lasts a few weeks for remodeling or is due to a seasonal operating schedule, grease interceptor servicing should not be ignored simply because the kitchen is no longer producing new wastewater.

That raises a practical question for operators: Should the interceptor be pumped before closing, after reopening or according to the normal service schedule? The answer depends on the condition of the interceptor, the length and circumstances of the shutdown and applicable service requirements.

Should You Pump Before the Closure?

If an interceptor is approaching its normal service interval, pumping before an extended shutdown can make sense.

Starting the closure with a recently serviced interceptor avoids leaving a substantial amount of FOG, food solids and other organic material to decompose while the facility is inactive, which may help limit odors and other problems when the restaurant reopens.

This can also make reopening simpler. Instead of trying to determine how much material accumulated before the closure and whether the tank was already due for service, the operator has a clear service point before operations stop.

However, a business should not assume that every closure requires an additional pumping solely because the facility will be inactive. If the interceptor was recently serviced and there is little accumulated material, another service may not be necessary simply because the doors are temporarily closing.

The key consideration is where the interceptor stands in its existing maintenance cycle.

What Actually Happens While the Interceptor Sits?

Over time, settled solids remain at the bottom while grease and other floatable material remain separated within the tank.

Without regular incoming flow, there is also no ongoing movement of wastewater through the system to carry new material into the interceptor.

Extended periods of inactivity can change the condition of the material already present. Odors can become noticeable, and the contents can become more stagnant. The longer the interceptor sits, the more important its condition at the beginning of the shutdown becomes.

Renovation Creates a Special Complication

A remodeling project is different from a straightforward seasonal closure. Contractors may continue using plumbing, wash areas or temporary fixtures even while the kitchen itself is out of operation.

Construction activity can also introduce unusual materials or debris into drainage systems. Depending on the scope of the work, plumbing may be disconnected, rerouted or altered.

For that reason, operators should coordinate interceptor service around the renovation schedule rather than simply suspending their normal service schedule while the kitchen is closed. If plumbing work changes the system or construction activity introduces material into the waste lines, an inspection or cleaning may be appropriate before normal operations resume.

Reopening Doesn't Automatically Require a Pump-Out

An interceptor does not necessarily need to be pumped simply because it has been sitting unused for several weeks. If it was properly serviced before the shutdown and remained undisturbed, there may be relatively little new material to remove.

Instead, consider the interceptor's condition and service history. If the interceptor was already due for service when the business closed, the closure does not eliminate that maintenance requirement. Atlanta's required service intervals continue to apply during a temporary shutdown unless the facility has been approved for a different maintenance schedule.

The same principle applies to seasonal businesses, universities and other facilities with predictable periods of inactivity.

Don't Ignore Grease Interceptor Service During a Temporary Closure

Planning a seasonal shutdown, renovation or extended closure?

Contact Southern Green Industries at (404) 419-6887 to discuss your interceptor service schedule and make sure maintenance doesn't get overlooked while your facility is offline.