Fat, Oil, and Grease: 3 Things to Never Put Down the Drain

 

Did you know that around 80% of grease blockages occur only in residential areas? It states that most people are unaware of what shouldn't go down the Drain. 

Are you also facing plumbing issues like choked drainage or sewer damage? Then, you need to contact an emergency plumber in Reno, NV. However, you must also understand the fact that you are unknowingly pouring something inside your sink and drainage pipes that shouldn't be poured. Constantly adding unwanted materials can cause major drainage problems and significant damage.

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Fat, oil, and grease are the three most unwanted materials in drainage pipes. In this blog, we will discuss these in detail.

Three Things to Never Put Down the Drain

Fat, Oil, and Grease, commonly known as FOG, are the leading causes of drainage problems. They should never be poured down the sink. 

1. How Does Fat Cause Damage to the Drainage System?

Fat is a very common kitchen byproduct. It is mostly found in dairy products and meat. At room temperature, it remains in solid form and can be easily dumped into dustbins. Some examples of fat are butter, cheese, meat, peanut butter, ice cream, and uncooked poultry skin. 

You must have noticed that fats thicken and solidify when they cool down. Most of the time, you use hot water to clean utensils. Because of this, the fat inside melts and remains in the liquid state. It’s easy to clean and drain fats in liquid form. But hot water temporarily keeps them in liquid form. Once they go inside the pipeline and cool down, they become thick and stick to the pipeline surface. They start coating in layers, and after some time, they result in pipe blockages. 

The more you drain fats into the sink, the faster your pipes and sewers will be blocked.

A very small amount of fat in your drainage system can amount to larger problems in the long run. 

2. Why Should You Not Pour Down Oils in the Drain?

You use different oils extracted from plant sources, including vegetables, olives, coconut, corn, and canola in your kitchen. These oils are used in cooking, deep frying, or as toppings on salads and sandwiches. 

Unlike fats, these oils do not solidify when cooling and remain in a liquid state only. However, if you pour down the remaining oils in the sink, they coat the pipes, creating a slick surface. Due to this, fats and grease easily stick to the pipes' surface, leading to clogs inside. Moreover, upon entering the sewer, these oils combine with other chemicals to form hazardous compounds and pollute the nearby water sources.

It’s safer to pour the remaining oil into a jar or box before disposing of it. After pouring it into some sachet, dump it into the trash bins.

3. How Grease Can Harm Your Plumbing Section?

Grease, like fats, is a kitchen byproduct of cooking food. During the boiling, frying, or baking, fats melt and turn into grease. Some common sources of grease are sauces, gravy, mayonnaise, and melted fat from meat.

Pouring grease into the pipeline hardens upon cooling down and accumulates inside the pipe’s surface, creating clogs. It eventually leads to complete blockage in the drainage system or sewer and disturbs your daily life.

Some Tips to Prevent FOG Blockage

As you know, dumping fat, oil, and grease into your sink disrupts your drainage system by blocking the pipes from inside. You can consider some preventive measures to avoid such a situation. Check out some practical ways to prevent blockage:

• The most obvious tip from our side is don’t pour FOG materials into the sink.
• You can use sink strainers while washing dishes and later empty them in the dustbin.
• Let the fat and grease cool down after cooking. These fats solidify. Then, you can scrape them in a disposal container instead of throwing them into the sink.
• Use a paper towel to wipe out grease and extra oils from dishes and throw that towel into the trash bin after wiping.
• If possible, you can apply a grease trap in the kitchen sink.
• If a recycling facility is available in your area, collect the remaining oil from fryers in a jar and give it to them.

If you are experiencing issues like water overflow or blocked drainage pipelines, contact a plumbing repair contractor Reno NV, for an immediate check before the problem becomes bigger. 

When Should You Call a Plumbing Service for Blockage?

One important point is that you must know when to contact a professional plumbing service. Any delay can worsen the situation, making it more difficult and costlier to fix. So, here are some signs that something is wrong with your drainage system. Figuring them out at an early stage is essential.

• When you notice slow draining in the sinks or bathtubs.
• If there is a gurgling sound in your pipes.
• When you experience foul odors coming from your drains.
• If you are facing issues with recurring clogs.

You need to contact an experienced plumbing service in your area in all the above situations.

Takeaway- Don’t Let FOGs Put Down Your Drainage System

Fats, oils, and grease may not seem as harmful. But if they are not disposed of properly, they can clog your drainage system. So, never clean grease or fats with warm water because they will stick inside your pipeline surface on cooling. In case you face any issues, call the emergency plumber Reno NV.

Easy Rooter Plumbing- The Best Plumbing Repair Reno NV

If you are looking for a plumbing repair contractor in Reno, Nevada, Easy Rooter Plumbing is the most reliable one. We have been providing the best plumbing services in Northern Nevada for the last 46 years.

We offer various services, including emergency plumbing, hydro jetting, plumbing repair, fire system, plumbing excavation, restaurant jetting, and plumbing contractors. 

For any immediate assistance, call us at 775-382-6656. We are available 24/7 at your service.