5 Reasons to Stop Putting Grease Down the Drain

Cooking fats, oils, and grease might seem like they’re liquid enough to just flush down the drain with some hot water, but that’s probably not the best idea. Grease can be a serious problem for the drains in your home, for several reasons. Some people have been fortunate to get away with this for years with no real consequences, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Eventual Clogs

Although grease might go down the drain as a liquid, it could solidify along the way and lead to buildup in the pipes that causes clogs. You might not have any issues at first, but over time and with the more grease you add to the drain (as well as other food debris), it could lead to serious clogs and blockages.

Damage to Pipes

Cooking oils and grease can also damage pipes, especially if they’re made of PVC or another similar material. Whether it’s from the buildup or the grease wearing down the inside of the pipe itself, there are so many things that can go wrong.

Odors

Letting any food go down your drain can lead to serious odors. Grease, especially, is known to stink up kitchens when improperly disposed of down a kitchen sink drain. Getting rid of these odors can be nearly impossible since the grease is likely caked in the drains and not going to come off easily.

Potential Bacteria Buildup

When you have this grease and oil building up in your pipes, it also gives bacteria a good place to settle in and harvest. Dirty, clogged pipes are more appealing to bacteria, as well as to pests like gnats and fruit flies, causing a host of unpleasant issues in your kitchen.

It Ruins Your Garbage Disposal

If you have a garbage disposal, grease buildup can cause a lot of damage to it, as well. The grease and oil can solidify in the inner workings of the disposal, causing jams or other damage. It can also prevent your disposal from working effectively.

So, what do you do with grease and oils when it comes to disposal? For liquids, you can collect them in a heat-resistant container (metal coffee can, etc.) and then dispose of the container once it’s full. For grease and cooking fats that will solidify, you should allow them to do so and then scrape them into the garbage. Whatever you do, avoid the temptation to put grease down the drains. Your plumbing will thank you. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call the experts at Elk Grove Village & Plumbing.