Discover Why You Should Never Pour Grease Down the Drain
You’ve probably been told in the past that you shouldn’t pour grease down the drain. But, you may be puzzled why this is the case. Fortunately, you’re in the right place. You’re about to discover what happens when you pour grease down the drain, the ultimate outcome is inevitably a call to your local plumber Sydney.
The Consistency Of Grease
Grease is commonly used when cooking to help prepare food and can even come out of the food you are cooking. When it’s hot and being used it is a liquid. You simply pour this down the drain as you would any other liquid.
It’s fair to assume it’s liquid so won’t cause a blockage.
Unfortunately, grease is only a liquid when hot. As it travels through the pipers it cools quickly, especially when mixed with water going down the pipes. As it cools it starts to solidify.
This solid can then block the pipes and cause you a major headache.
It’s worth noting that it takes time to cool so the problem is rarely near your taps.
Issues With Pouring Grease Down the drain
As mentioned, the grease takes a short time to cool, this means it will most likely clog in your main sewer line. The problem with this is that the clog will then affect all the appliances in your home. At first, you’ll notice a slowdown in drain speed. This will gradually become an inability to drain and the wastewater will backflow into your home.
In some cases, the greases won’t stick in your pipes and will make it to the main sewer. The grease will then float into the main sewer pipe and collect with other pierces of grease. These are known as fatbergs. It’s when the grease attaches to the top of the sewer pipe and gradually grows.
It can get big enough to block the main sewer and then the pressure build-up can allow wastewater to backflow into multiple homes.
Cost Factor
Fatbergs in the main sewer line needs to be sorted by the water board. But, a clog that forms in the sewer line on your property is your responsibility and that means drain rods, inspection cameras, and possibly even digging up part of the pipe. That’s expensive and a lot of hassle.
Eliminating Grease Properly
There is only one way to get rid of grease properly, that’s by letting it cool. Once it has cooled it can be scooped out of the pan and put in the bin, or possibly the compost. You can then use a paper towel on the pan to soak up any remaining grease and throw the paper towel away.
That prevents grease from entering your waste pipes and causing you any of the issues above.
If you have accidentally poured grease down your sink then follow it with near-boiling water and liquid soap, this will help to keep the grease flowing and prevent it from sticking on its way out of your pipes.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
