How Grease Causes Clogged Drain Issues And What To Do

One of the primary causes of a clogged drain is the accumulation of grease in the drain pipes. Most people assume that when they pour oil down the drain, it will flow and get to the main sewer lines or septic tank. But, this isn't the case. 

When you drain grease or oil into your wastewater lines, it will cause clogs within a short time. This post will share the detrimental effects of allowing oil to get to the drain line and what you should do to eliminate the substance efficiently.

What Happens After Pouring Grease Down a Drain?

Hot grease can easily flow into the drain line if it's still in liquid form. But when the content cools down, it will solidify on the lines and start to trap different elements. Over time, the oil and other elements will create a large clog and block the wastewater line completely. This means that the waste water you produce will sit and accumulate in the pipes, and once it's filled, you will have backup issues.

If grease doesn't stick to the pipes and flows into the main sewer line, the substance will create more significant problems. Remember, this is where all forms of oil from commercial businesses and homes will combine. The oil formations usually break down to form glycerol and fatty acids that combine with calcium to form the fatbergs. 

The large chunks of fat cling to the pipe ceiling and keep growing until they eventually block it. Dissecting such large fatbergs can take days, if not weeks, creating sewer management issues for the entire community or town.

What's the Best Way to Dispose of Oil and Grease?

Now that you know how the presence of oil, grease, and fats in your drain lines can cause drain problems, you should learn how to dispose of them properly. After cooking, there are some traces of oil left on the pan or cooking pot, so let the oil cool and use paper towels to absorb it all. This way, the pot or pan will have no oil when washed.

If there's grease in a pan, let it solidify, scrape the content with a spoon, and throw it into the garbage bin. The remaining fat should be soaked up in a paper towel. Those who use large grease quantities can pour the content into a container while it's still in liquid form. Once the bottle or container is filled, it can be disposed of in the bin. This is the reason restaurants have specific containers for dumping oil. 

For more info about plumbing services, contact a local company. 

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