Grease clogs cause major plumbing problems and expensive repairs. When hot grease is poured down the drain, it cools, hardens, and sticks to pipe walls, trapping debris over time. This can lead to blocked pipes, backups, and even large-scale sewer issues like fatbergs. Here’s how to prevent it:
- Dispose of grease properly: Let it cool, then throw it in the trash or recycle it.
- Wipe dishes before washing: Use paper towels to remove grease from cookware.
- Use sink strainers: Catch food scraps to avoid buildup.
- Flush drains with hot water: Do this weekly to reduce residue.
- Call a plumber for persistent issues: Slow drains, odors, or recurring clogs may need professional help.
Avoid grease-related plumbing emergencies by following these simple habits. Proper maintenance saves money and helps keep your home running smoothly.
Don’t let FOG – fats, oil and grease – clog your drain!
How Grease Blocks Drains
Understanding how grease behaves in pipes helps explain why its buildup leads to severe blockages and costly plumbing issues.
What Grease Does Inside Pipes
When you pour hot grease down the drain, it doesn’t stay liquid for long. As it cools, it solidifies and clings to the walls of your pipes, forming a sticky layer. This layer traps everything from food particles and soap scum to hair and other debris. Over time, these deposits grow, narrowing the pipe until it’s completely blocked. Even liquid oils aren’t harmless – they leave behind a sticky residue that collects more debris and can eventually cause pipes to crack or burst. This kind of damage often leads to expensive repairs, including water damage and pipe replacement.
For commercial kitchens, grease-related plumbing problems are a significant expense, often costing tens of thousands of dollars annually to address emergencies.
How Fatbergs Form in Sewer Systems
Grease problems don’t stop at household drains – they escalate in municipal sewer systems. In these systems, fats, oils, and grease (FOG) mix with non-biodegradable items like wet wipes, dental floss, and sanitary products. Together, they form massive blockages called fatbergs. Over time, FOG combines with minerals such as calcium, sodium, and phosphorus found in sewage, creating a hard, soap-like substance that binds debris into dense masses. These fatbergs can grow to enormous sizes, completely clogging sewer pipes and leading to backups and overflows.
The financial toll of these blockages is immense. London spends up to $63 million each year removing fatbergs from its sewer systems. In Baltimore, a massive grease and wet wipe buildup caused an overflow that spilled nearly 1.2 million gallons of sewage. Grease is a leading cause of sewer backups – accounting for 71% of cases, according to New York City’s 2016 State of the Sewers Report. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 23,000 to 75,000 sanitary sewer overflow events occur annually in the United States, with FOG contributing to nearly 47% of these spills.
Nationwide, communities spend billions of dollars every year dealing with grease-clogged pipes, repairing pump stations, and cleaning up wastewater spills. With growing demand for fatty products, population increases, and the rise of food service establishments, the problem is only getting worse.
“The elimination or the reduction of non-biodegradable solids in addition to FOG is necessary to prevent or reduce the formation of fatbergs.” – Nancy Sullins, MPH, LEED AP
Where Grease Comes From in Your Home
Everyday kitchen activities often lead to the buildup of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) in your drains. Knowing where these substances come from is a key step in avoiding the hassle and expense of clogged pipes.
Animal Fats and Cooking Oils
When you cook, fats from animal products and oils are released, and these can solidify inside your pipes. Common culprits include butter, shortening, and meat trimmings – major sources of FOG. Even dairy products like cheese, milk, cream, sour cream, and ice cream can leave behind fats that harden over time. Cooking oils, while liquid when hot, tend to cool and solidify as they travel through your plumbing, creating sticky buildup along pipe walls.
Greasy Food Scraps
Greasy leftovers like gravy, mayonnaise, peanut butter, and poultry skin add to the problem. These scraps introduce not only fats but also fine food particles that can clog pipes. Over time, even small amounts of residue accumulate, especially when fatty acids combine with calcium in sewer systems to form a waxy substance. And if you’re using a garbage disposal to handle greasy food, it only breaks it into smaller pieces, which still carry fats that can lead to blockages.
Soap and Hard Water Issues
Hard water, rich in calcium and magnesium, reacts with soap to create insoluble deposits known as soap scum. This residue narrows pipes, restricts water flow, and traps debris like hair and dirt. When grease and food particles stick to these deposits, clogs become even worse. Bar soaps, which often have a higher fat content, contribute more to soap scum than liquid alternatives.
How to Stop Grease Clogs Before They Start
The easiest way to deal with grease clogs? Stop them before they even happen. A few tweaks to your kitchen routine can go a long way in keeping fats, oils, and grease out of your drains.
How to Dispose of Grease Correctly
Never pour hot oil or grease down the drain. It might look like a liquid when it’s hot, but as it cools, grease solidifies and can clog your pipes.
Instead, let the grease cool completely, then pour it into a sealable container and toss it in the trash.
For larger amounts of liquid oil, try mixing it with something absorbent like flour, cat litter, sawdust, or sand to make it easier to dispose of.
Some areas even offer cooking oil recycling programs. These programs turn used oil into biodiesel. Check with your local waste management service to see if there are drop-off options or special collection events in your area.
If you’re dealing with small amounts of vegetable oil, you can sprinkle it into your compost bin. Just steer clear of composting animal fats – they can attract pests and create unpleasant odors.
Beyond proper disposal, incorporating smart cleaning habits into your routine can further reduce grease buildup.
Daily Kitchen Cleaning Tips
Simple daily habits can make a big difference. Start by wiping greasy dishes with paper towels before washing to remove any excess grease.
Use sink strainers to catch food particles before they head down the drain. Clean these strainers regularly, and throw the debris in the trash instead of relying on your garbage disposal.
Another easy step? Scrape leftover grease and food scraps into the trash before rinsing dishes. This prevents gradual buildup in your pipes over time.
Regular Drain Cleaning
Even with good habits, regular drain maintenance is key to keeping things flowing smoothly. Flush your drains weekly with hot water, especially right after cooking when any grease might still be in liquid form.
As part of your post-cooking routine, after wiping down counters and disposing of grease, run hot water through the sink for 30–60 seconds. This helps wash away any lingering residue.
While these steps are great for prevention, they won’t fix major clogs. For serious blockages, you’ll need to take additional measures or call in a professional.
When to Call a Plumber
Sometimes, no matter how many DIY tricks you try, a plumbing issue just won’t budge. While regular maintenance can help prevent most clogs, there are times when calling in a professional plumber is the ONLY way to truly fix the problem. If you’re noticing any of the signs below, it might be time to let the experts take over.
Warning Signs You Need Professional Help
- Slow draining water: If your sink takes forever to empty or you’re dealing with standing water that just won’t go away, you might have a deeper clog in your pipes. In fact, standing water is often a red flag for a major blockage – about 80% of the time, it points to a clogged drainage pipe.
- Unpleasant odors: Bad smells coming from your drains are usually caused by trapped grease or debris. Did you know 70% of foul odors in homes are linked to drains? And in 1 out of 3 homes, these smells come from food particles, grease buildup, or plumbing issues.
- Gurgling noises: If you hear strange gurgling sounds from your drains, it’s likely due to air trapped in the pipes because of a blockage. Similarly, if your toilet water levels are all over the place, it could mean there’s a clog in the drain line or an issue with the sewer vent stack.
- Multiple fixtures acting up: When your kitchen sink, bathroom drain, and toilet all start having problems at the same time, it’s usually a sign of a main sewer line blockage rather than an isolated issue.
- Recurring clogs: If you’re constantly battling clogs despite regular cleaning, it’s a sign of serious residue buildup. Interestingly, 85% of frequent clogs are caused by residue in the pipes, and 4 out of 5 households that rely on drain cleaners eventually need professional help.
Other red flags include water backing up in sinks or tubs, overflowing toilets, or even outdoor issues like soggy ground or sewage smells around your yard – both of which could mean a sewer line leak.
“Keeping your drains clean and clear is a key part of keeping your home safe and comfortable.” – Brian Sloan
What Professional Plumbers Can Do
When these signs show up, a professional plumber can provide a thorough, long-term solution. With their specialized tools and expertise, they tackle problems that are beyond the reach of standard DIY fixes. Here’s how they do it:
- Advanced diagnosis: Using tools like plumbing cameras and pressure gauges, plumbers can pinpoint the exact location and cause of the clog. This level of precision ensures the problem is addressed at its source.
- Heavy-duty tools: For surface-level clogs, plumbers rely on industrial-strength plungers and drain snakes that outperform anything you’d buy at a hardware store. For tougher grease buildups, they use motorized drain snakes or hydro jetting equipment.
- Hydro jetting: This method uses high-pressure water to blast away debris and scrub the inside of your pipes, leaving them clean and reducing the chance of future blockages. Unlike chemical drain cleaners, which can damage your pipes over time, hydro jetting is both effective and safe.
- Post-cleaning inspections: After clearing the blockage, plumbers perform follow-up checks with cameras and water flow tests to make sure everything is running smoothly. They also provide tailored recommendations to help you maintain your plumbing system.
For example, Mother Modern Plumbing in Dallas-Fort Worth offers a $299 drain cleaning package that includes a camera inspection, professional cleaning, and a 120-day warranty.
Investing in professional drain cleaning not only prevents costly repairs down the road but also extends the life of your plumbing system. Many plumbers recommend using enzyme-based drain cleaners for ongoing grease management instead of harsh chemicals. They also suggest scheduling annual drain cleanings to keep your pipes in top shape and avoid major blockages.
Conclusion
Grease clogs can wreak havoc on your plumbing and lead to expensive repairs. In fact, grease blockages are responsible for a large share of service calls and sewer overflows, with the average cost to fix a grease-related clog ranging from $150 to $450 per visit. Worse yet, long-term effects like pipe corrosion can result in even steeper repair bills. Clearly, prevention is the smarter – and cheaper – choice.
To steer clear of these costly issues, adopt a few simple habits. Instead of pouring fats, oils, and grease (FOG) down the drain, let them cool and toss them in the trash. Before washing greasy cookware, wipe it down with paper towels. Sink strainers are also a great tool to catch food scraps before they hit your pipes. And don’t forget: flushing your drains with hot water once a month can help clear minor grease buildup.
By sticking to these maintenance practices, you can save a lot on future plumbing expenses. Simple actions like disposing of cooking oil properly and scheduling regular drain cleanings can prevent emergencies and ensure your plumbing stays in good shape.
Beyond saving money, proper grease disposal helps protect the environment and supports local infrastructure. Keeping grease out of your drains isn’t just a smart move for your wallet – it’s a step toward a cleaner, healthier community.
FAQs
What’s the best way to dispose of grease without damaging your drains or the environment?
When getting rid of grease, the safest approach is to let it cool and harden first. Once solidified, place it in a disposable container like an empty milk carton or plastic bottle, then toss it in the trash. Another option is to see if your local recycling center accepts used cooking oil for proper disposal. If you’re dealing with a small amount, you might also be able to add it to your compost – just ensure it’s appropriate for the composting method you’re using. These steps not only help keep your plumbing clog-free but also minimize harm to the environment.
How do I know if a grease clog in my pipes needs professional help?
If you’re facing a grease clog, keep an eye out for these warning signs: slow drainage that doesn’t improve, gurgling noises, foul smells, or water backing up into your sinks or tubs. These clues often suggest a more serious blockage.
If you’ve already tried to fix the issue and it keeps returning – or if several drains in your home are acting up – it’s probably time to bring in a professional plumber. Tough clogs often need advanced tools and know-how to be completely cleared.
What are fatbergs, and why do they cause problems in sewer systems?
Fatbergs are enormous, solid blockages that form in sewer systems when fats, oils, and grease (commonly known as FOG) mix with non-biodegradable materials like wet wipes, sanitary products, and paper towels. Over time, these substances stick together and solidify, creating obstructions that resemble large, rock-like masses.
These blockages can grow to staggering sizes, restricting the flow of wastewater and causing major problems such as sewer backups, overflows, and expensive repairs. Beyond infrastructure damage, fatbergs can threaten public health and the environment by triggering untreated sewage spills. The key to preventing fatbergs lies in proper disposal – never pour grease down the drain and always avoid flushing items that aren’t meant to be flushed.
