Are You Pouring Grease in Drain? Time to Stop!

Are You Pouring Grease in Drain? Time to Stop!

Disposing of cooking grease is a concern common to anyone who spends time in the kitchen. Grease is a natural byproduct of cooking many foods and can make your kitchen messy if not disposed of quickly. Many people grew up seeing their parents simply pour grease in drain and so never thought to do anything differently. The technicians at Ready & Able Plumbing have seen all kinds of plumbing problems result from incorrect grease disposal. Take it from us, there are better ways to get rid of grease.

How Grease Causes Problems

Part of the problem with grease is its natural stickiness. It has a tendency to clump together even when heated. When cool, grease forms a solid lump that resists breaking down. Even though it is liquid when you pour grease in drain, it will solidify quickly.

Water does not easily wash grease away. Oil and water do not mix on their own, so simply running the faucet to flush the grease away is not adequate. Small deposits of stuck grease will attract other oily substances poured down the sink, which will gradually accumulate until the drain flow is interrupted. This accumulation can also cause a bad smell.

Correcting This Problem

There are a few ways that you can prevent this problem from happening:

  • Drain grease off into a waste container and allow it to solidify before depositing it in standard garbage.
  • Wipe grease up with paper towels or paper napkins.
  • Use a drain cleaning product formulated to disintegrate grease.
  • Install a grease trap to collect accidental grease accumulation.

If Serious Attention Is Required

Restaurants and other high-volume kitchens have to treat grease accumulation as a serious problem. Even residential kitchens can find themselves facing a serious blockage as a result of grease in drain. If you have concerns about drain cleaning, contact Ready & Able Plumbing at 717-963-2034.

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