After making a meal, it’s tempting to pour the leftover grease down the kitchen sink, but that is never a good idea. Pouring grease down the drain can cause a number of problems for your plumbing system. It can lead to a nasty and potentially expensive mess to clean up. Plumbers say nearly half of all plumbing problems are caused by people pouring grease and oils down the drain.

What is considered grease? 

Grease comes from multiple sources, including bacon, lard, shortening and butter. These are all solids at room temperature. It’s important to know liquid oils are harmful to your plumbing as well. Cooking oils, like olive oil or vegetable oil can especially cause damage to your pipes. Grease is generally thick and oily, and can be difficult to clean up. When it cools, it can solidify and clog drains and pipes, so it’s important to dispose of it properly.

How grease clogs the pipes in your home

When grease cools it congeals or solidifies. Even if it’s liquid at the time you pour it down the drain, it becomes a solid as it moves through your pipes. This can build up over time and creates a sludge that results in a backup of water and waste. These blockages can cause overflows and backups.

Is it okay to put grease down the drain if I run hot water? 

This is actually one of the biggest myths when it comes to plumbing. It is generally not recommended to put grease down the drain, even if you run hot water. Grease will still cling to the inside of your pipes, even if you run hot water when disposing of it. Eventually, the grease will solidify when it gets to room temperature. If you need to get rid of grease, it’s best to pour it into a container and dispose of it in the trash. You can also try using a drain cleaner or a plunger to remove any clogs that may have already formed.

What if I mix the grease with dish soap?

Dish soaps are designed to break down grease and fats to easily clean your dishes. Dish soaps are not formulated to also clean your drains. The oil and grease will still congeal as it moves through your plumbing system, eventually trapping food and other debris causing clogs. 

How to properly dispose of grease

To avoid plumbing problems, it’s important to dispose of grease and oil properly. Instead of pouring it down the drain, set it aside to cool and solidify. Once it’s at a safe temperature, throw it out in the trash. While it takes a little longer to dispose of grease this way, it will save you time and money on your plumbing maintenance in the long run.

Call a Professional Plumber

The plumbers at Paschal Air, Plumbing and Electric are here to help. If you suspect a drain is clogged or not draining as fast as it should, a licensed plumber has the tools required to fix your pipes. Give us a call at 479-900-0784 or schedule online today.