When it comes to things that should not go down your sink – or your toilet, for that matter – some are no brainers: like left-over paint, pesticides, dental floss, and your wedding ring, just to name a few.
Let’s add cooking oil, fat, and grease to that list, because once you realize the harm and expense they can cause, all three will earn “no brainer” status in their own right. Because these seemingly harmless liquids are actually your plumbing’s worst enemy.
You see, fat, oil, and grease disposal, or FOG, only stay in liquid form for a short time. As they cool, they harden. So when they are poured down the drain, even if flushed with hot water, eventually they solidify and coat the inside of your pipes. This gloppy mess also attracts food particles and other solids that happen to make their way down the drain, further complicating the problem.
Over time, pipes can become so congested that water simply cannot drain properly. And you’re left with a stubborn clog. But that’s if you’re lucky. FOG build-up in public sewer systems can cause sewage to back up and spill out into homes and neighborhoods, raising health and environmental concerns. And the cost to clean up and repair such a disaster is quite high for homeowners and municipalities alike.
So next time you’re cleaning up after a satisfying stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal, remember these tips for properly disposing of FOG:
- Scrape greasy food off dishes into the garbage before hand-washing or placing into the dishwasher.
- Keep a tin or glass container with lid in your kitchen specifically for FOG.
- Wipe greasy posts and pans with a paper towel then wash with soapy water.
- Once the grease container is full, take it to a recycling facility that accepts such waste.
- If you accidentally pour any FOG down the drain, immediately flush the drain with boiling water.
Still, clogged sewers, drains, and toilets are among life’s inevitabilities. If you’re facing that kind of problem now, and no amount of home remedies is making things better, then pick up the phone and call the plumbing and drain cleaning professionals at Messmer Mechanical. We’ll have things cleared up in no time. Promise!