In many households, pouring grease down your drain can be a common accident. However, if you don’t handle it correctly, it could lead to clogged pipes and long-term damage to your plumbing system. For those who have poured grease down the drain, there are a few steps that you can take to fix this situation. Here is what you can do to reduce the damage and prevent this accident from happening in your house.
Pouring Grease Down the Drain Is Harmful
Grease is a byproduct of cooking. While pouring this liquid down the sink may seem harmless, it could cause a few issues. When the grease is hot, it turns into a liquid. Unfortunately, it will not stay in that state. Once the grease cools down, it will solidify.
Remember that grease can be sticky as well. The grease will cling to the walls of your pipes and collect floating debris. All this can prevent waste and water from freely flowing through your pipes. As you can imagine, that will cause slow drainage, plumbing backups, and even pipe damage.
Along with that, grease in the pipes often creates foul odors. First, you might smell a sour aroma by the sink. After that, the smell could travel to other parts of your home, such as the laundry room or bathroom. Many times, it can be hard to remove these smells on your own. Instead, you’ll need a professional plumber to handle the job.
When the grease turns to a solid state, it puts pressure on the walls of your pipes. That can lead to leaks and cracks in your system. You will be left with a costly bill if you need to replace or repair damaged pipes.
There is one last point to consider. Grease can make a big impact on your local environment. Once it heads to the sewer system, it can combine with other debris and materials. As a result, that can lead to blockages in the sewers. Plus, it can result in contamination of the local ecosystem.
While pouring grease down the drain might seem like a harmless act, it could cause huge consequences in the future.
Steps to Take After Pouring Grease Into a Drain
Now that you know the harmful effects of grease, there are steps you can take to prevent damage. First, you’ll want to take immediate action. With that, you can minimize any damage and prevent clogs. Here are some other points to consider.
No More Grease
Whether you intentionally or accidentally poured the grease, do not let any more go down the line. If more grease enters the system, it will be harder to fend off potential damage.
Run the Hot Water
You want to prevent the grease from reaching a solidified state. Make sure to turn on the hot water to keep it liquified. Hot water can help flush the grease down the drain and into the sewer. If you want to fully remove the grease, allow the hot water to run for several minutes.
Use Dish Soap
There are some brands of dish soap that are great at removing grease. You will want to use a generous amount of dish soap with the hot water. These soaps can break down the properties of the grease. In turn, that can help wash the liquid out of the plumbing system.
What You Should Not Do
Acting quickly can help you avoid the worst problems with your plumbing system. Along with that, there are a few other things that you will want to avoid.
Use Chemicals
Some drain cleaners tout that they can unclog any blockages. Unfortunately, these chemicals can be harsh on your pipes. Plus, they are not always the best choice for removing grease clogs. Many times, these chemicals can cause even more problems. You will always want to avoid using them in your plumbing system.
Pour Cold Water
Hot water can be lifesaving, but the same cannot be said for cold water. This temperature of water does the opposite; it will cause the grease to solidify more quickly. In turn, that can increase the risk of creating a blockage in your system.
Do Nothing
You never want to ignore the issue. The grease might be gone from your sight, but it can still lead to problems in the future. Many times, you cannot see the damage that fat has done to your system. You always want to act fast to prevent any long-term issues.
How to Prevent Future Accidents
If you want to maintain a healthy plumbing system, you need to prevent any future accidents. Here are a few steps to take in your household.
Use a Container for Grease
You can use a jar or container to collect grease after cooking. A simple glass container will do the trick. Once the grease has cooled, you can throw the solidified grease out in the garbage.
Wipe Down Your Cookware
If you have excess grease on your dishes or cookware, take a paper towel and wipe them down. By doing this, you can minimize the amount of grease that ends up in your plumbing system.
Use Grease Collection Sites
Some communities have designated spots where you can dispose of used cooking grease and oil. You can check with your local waste management site to find the location of these sites.
Install a Grease Trap
For those who do not want to worry about accidents, think about installing a grease trap. These systems can capture the grease before it enters the pipes. In turn, it can prevent blockages and clogs in your plumbing system.
What to Do If You Have Damage
If you have followed all of these steps and are still experiencing problems with your plumbing, you might need to call for professional service. For persistent clogs or slow drains, contact a skilled plumbing team. These individuals will be able to inspect the drains and pipes for any damage. If there are issues, they can provide the necessary repairs.
Your local plumber will be able to offer drain cleaning services. With this service, they will use the proper tools to clear your drains of those nasty clogs.
However, not all clogs and blockages are easy to fix. If you have major damage to your plumbing system, it may be time for a repair or replacement. Repairs can be very expensive and time-consuming. You want to take all the necessary steps to prevent grease clogs from reaching this stage.
Grease clogs can lead to major damage to your home. If you are worried about potential issues or want to install a grease trap in your Denver home, contact the team at High 5 Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today. We are licensed plumbers who offer a wide range of services, including drain cleaning and hydro jetting. When you need a trusted source for your plumbing needs, our team is ready to help. We can also assist with plumbing repairs, installations, and maintenance services.
