Grease Interceptor Pumping
Large-capacity in-ground interceptor coordination
Grease interceptors are the larger, in-ground units (typically 500 to 2,000+ gallons) required for high-volume restaurants and commissary kitchens. GreaseGrid coordinates licensed vendors with the right equipment and permits to service them.
Overview
Interceptors are different from grease traps. They are larger, typically installed outside the building in-ground, and require specialized vacuum trucks to service. LA Sanitation treats them as a separate equipment class with different inspection triggers and pump-out schedules. Most interceptors need service every 30-90 days depending on restaurant volume and grease load. Missing service risks overflows, sewer discharges, and significant fines from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) and LA Sanitation. Because interceptors are larger, vendor access matters more. Is there truck clearance? Is the manhole accessible during business hours? Can the vendor get to the inlet without blocking the alley? GreaseGrid's coordination includes matching you with vendors who can actually reach your specific interceptor.
What to Expect on Service Day
Access survey (first service only)
Before the first pump, we ask for the interceptor size, manhole location, truck clearance, and any time-of-day access constraints. Strip malls, alley-access locations, and sites with shared dumpster corrals almost always have an access wrinkle. We surface it before scheduling, not after the truck arrives.
Vendor dispatch with the right truck
A 1,500-gallon interceptor needs a truck that can actually handle that volume in one pull. Undersized trucks mean partial pumps, split manifests, and sloppy documentation. We match interceptor size to truck capacity up front.
Full evacuation and inspection
The vendor evacuates all compartments, flushes the inlet and outlet baffles, and visually inspects for cracks, scale, or corrosion. Interceptors are permanent infrastructure and failures are expensive — catching a deteriorating baffle during a routine pump is cheaper than a discharge violation.
Volume reconciliation
The manifest reports gallons hauled. We cross-check that against your interceptor capacity and prior pump volumes. If volumes drift outside the expected band, we flag it — either service cadence needs to change or the interceptor has a problem.
Proof packet delivery
You receive the PDF proof packet within hours: manifest, volume report, vendor license, photos, and an inspector summary. For multi-compartment interceptors, photos cover each chamber separately.
LA & SFV Regulatory Context
Grease interceptors fall under LAMC Section 171 and the LA Sanitation FOG Control Program, the same framework that governs in-kitchen grease traps, but the enforcement posture is different. Interceptors are permitted infrastructure tied to your building, often inspected by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) during construction or tenant improvement reviews. LA Sanitation tracks them through the industrial waste discharge permit process. The 25% capacity rule still applies: pump before fats, oils, and grease exceed 25% of the interceptor's rated capacity. For a 1,500-gallon interceptor that is 375 gallons of FOG, which sounds like a lot until you run a full-volume kitchen for 60 days. The 90-day maximum applies as a ceiling — most high-volume operators are on 30 or 45-day cycles. Burbank (Municipal Code Chapter 8) and Glendale (Municipal Code Chapter 13) run parallel programs for interceptors within their jurisdictions. Coverage and cadence rules are similar to LA's. Discharge violations from an overflowing interceptor can trigger sewer surcharges on your utility bill in addition to municipal fines, so the economics of skipping a pump are worse than most operators realize.
When Operators Reach Out to Us
Commissary kitchen, 2,000-gallon interceptor
You run a commissary kitchen that supplies four food trucks plus wholesale. Volume is high and variable. We put you on a dynamic schedule — 30 days when the commissary is running hot, 45 days in slower weeks — rather than a fixed calendar that misses the point.
Strip mall location, shared alley access
Your restaurant is in a Sherman Oaks strip mall where the interceptor manhole is in the shared alley behind a dumpster corral. Most vendors refuse or charge an access surcharge. We pre-clear vendor access and coordinate a dumpster move window with the landlord.
Inherited interceptor, unknown history
You took over a space in Glendale with a 1,000-gallon interceptor that has been there for twenty years. No service history, no as-built drawings. We baseline it, photograph the interior condition, and set a schedule based on actual fill rate over the first two services.
Emergency overflow backup
Kitchen floor drains are backing up on a Friday night. Likely interceptor is full. We route an emergency vendor, get you unblocked for the weekend rush, and convert it into a recurring plan so the next backup does not happen.
GreaseGrid vs. the Vendor
What GreaseGrid does
- Match you with a licensed interceptor vendor
- Coordinate truck access and scheduling constraints
- Confirm appointment date and time window
- Send automated reminders
- Collect waste manifest and service documentation
- Deliver a compliance-ready proof packet
What the vendor does
- Arrive with appropriate vacuum truck capacity
- Pump the interceptor and transport waste
- Dispose at a permitted treatment facility
- Provide waste manifest, volume report, and photos
- Bill you directly for the pumping service
GreaseGrid coordination fees start at $49 per service (Portfolio tier), $59 at Professional, or $79 at Pay-As-You-Go. No recurring charges. Vendor pumping costs are higher for interceptors than grease traps due to truck size and waste volume — expect vendor quotes at the upper end of the $175–$475+ range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a grease trap and a grease interceptor?
Grease traps are small (under 100 gallons), usually installed under a sink in the kitchen. Grease interceptors are large (500+ gallons), typically in-ground outside the building. Interceptors require larger vacuum trucks and specialized vendors.
How often should I pump my grease interceptor?
Most interceptors require service every 30-90 days. The exact schedule depends on restaurant volume, grease load, and interceptor capacity. LA Sanitation requires service before grease reaches 25% of capacity.
What if my interceptor is hard to access?
Access matters for interceptors. GreaseGrid matches you with vendors who can actually reach your equipment. We ask about clearance, manhole location, and operating-hour constraints during intake.
Do you handle emergency backups?
Emergency service for backed-up interceptors is available subject to vendor availability. Contact us immediately if you have a discharge or overflow.