You’ve probably heard it before, but it bears repeating, you shouldn’t put fats, oils, or grease down your kitchen sink. While you probably wouldn’t pour bacon fat down your drain, that’s not the end of the story. The fats and oils that you use while cooking can end up sticking to your pipes and attracting a buildup of debris that slows your drain and can lead to blockages in your sewer system (the pipes that carry water from your home, through your yard, and into the city’s sewer system). Once fats make their way into your sewer system, they are likely to react negatively with the contents of that system and can ultimately result in a total blockage that necessitates expensive and inconvenient repairs. If cooking grease has left your drains sluggish or has caused your pipes to clog, it’s time to call in a professional St. Cloud plumber.
Fats, Oils, and Grease Damage Pipes
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that fats, oils, and grease (FOG) are a major cause of sanitary sewer overflows (SSO). The fats that make their way into your plumbing system can have any number of negative effects on your pipes:
- FOG can cause sewage to back up, which is an expensive accident to clean and repair, is extremely inconvenient, and is unsanitary.
- FOG can decrease the flow through your pipes, which can result in slow moving drains and pipe blockages.
- FOG can cause your pipes to become completely blocked – and can ultimately damage your pipes and plumbing system.
Ok, you get that fats, oils, and grease are hard on your plumbing, but what can be done about it? Read on.
Minimizing Fats, Oils, and Grease in Your Drains
While it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to keep all fats out of your drains, there is plenty that you can do to help prevent FOG from damaging your plumbing system:
- Really, don’t pour bacon fat down your drain.
- When you cook with oils, including olive oil, vegetable oil, corn oil, butter, milk, and/or cream, keep the food scraps out of your sink. Pasta sauces and salad dressings are no-nos.
- Give your greasy dishes, cutlery, and cookware a good wipe with a paper towel before placing them in your dish water (or dishwasher).
Be proactive when it comes to protecting your plumbing from the damaging effects of FOG.
Getting Rid of Fats, Oils, and Grease
You get that FOG doesn’t belong in your drains, but what are you supposed to do with it, you ask. Scrape what you can from cookware and dishes into the garbage, and if you have a liquid fat – such as bacon fat – pour it into a lidded glass jar and pitch it in the garbage. In the interest of conservation, keep the jar until it’s full of hardened cooking fat before disposing of it.
My Plumbing Is Already Feeling the Effects of FOG
If fats, oils, and grease are already doing a number on your plumbing, you may be at a loss regarding where to turn, but the answer is simple – it’s time to turn to the professionals. Talk to an experienced St. Cloud plumber about professional hydrojetting. Hydrojetting is a cleaning system that incorporates a high-powered stream of water that efficiently scours your pipes free from messy buildups, blockages, grime, and bacteria.
Hydrojetting: One and Done
Hydorjetting is a professional cleaning service that can help blast your pipes clean. In fact, there are multiple advantages to hydrojetting:
- An adjustable spray that can safely accommodate even delicate pipes
- Deeper and more thorough cleaning than a plumbing snake can provide
- An economical option that eliminates the need for more invasive, expensive plumbing fixes
- An environmentally friendly option that eschews toxic chemicals in favor of a high-powered blast of water.
Talk to an experienced St. Cloud plumber about the benefits of hydrojetting – it may well be a great option for you.
If Fats, Oils, and Grease are Getting You Down, Consult with a St. Cloud Plumber Today
Fats, oils, and grease are hard on your plumbing. You get that, but you don’t have to resign yourself to slow drains and clogged pipes. The dedicated plumbing professionals at Neighborhood Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Electrical in St. Cloud have the experience, skill, and knowledge to help you eradicate slow drains and to return your plumbing to good working order. Further, we are available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, so we are always here for you. If you have concerns about your plumbing, we have answers – so please contact or call us at 800-570-4328 to schedule an appointment today.