Many of us have heard it’s not a good idea to pour grease down a drain. However, most homeowners don’t know why this is bad. Nor do they know precisely what happens once the grease enters the drains and pipes.
So Why IS Pouring Grease Down a Drain Such a No-no?
Grease undergoes chemical alterations under temperature fluctuations. Grease also mixes with other debris and chemicals in the pipeline and sewers, and it can form a solid mass. This mass ends up blocking the pipes and making a mess in your kitchen. One study revealed that 47% of sewer backups in the U.S. occur due to grease buildup. Roughly half of our plumbing service work involves some form of blockage removal.
This Is Not a DIY Fix
When you pour grease down a drain, it travels through the pipes and begins breaking down into its molecular components—glycerol and fatty acids. These components bind with calcium deposits resting in the sewers to form a glob-like compound that clings inside the upper sides of the pipes when water levels rise. Plumbers even have an informal name for this glob— they call it a fatberg. Fatbergs, if left unattended, can get really large. One plumbing company in the UK, in fact, found a 17-ton fatberg in a sewer ceiling! The lesson here? Keep grease away from the drain. If you have an existing backup in your drain, don’t treat it using a store-bought drain cleaner. This temporary fix only pushes the fatbergs further into the sewers, creating a bigger problem down the line. Always call a professional.
We Treat Grease Buildups
Let Plumbing & Heating Specialist treat any drain blockages you run into. See our special offers on our website. We also repair heaters and install new fixtures. Contact us today for all your plumbing needs.
Pouring Grease Down a Drain–Ask the Experts
Serving Customers in Snohomish, King & Pierce Counties, including Lynnwood, Mukilteo, Edmonds, Mill Creek, Bothell, Snohomish, Shoreline, Brier, Mountlake Terrace, Maltby, Lake Forest Park, Everett, Marysville, Lake Stevens & Woodway
Posted on April 13, 2020 | Published by Ignite Local | Related Local Business