Fats, Oils, And Grease, Oh My! Clog Disasters Waiting To Happen: Call Your Plumbing Company | Bloomington, IL

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Plumbing company after plumbing company will tell you, “don’t pour fats, oil, or grease down your drains!” But what’s the harm of draining your ground beef in the kitchen sink? You’re probably in a hurry. There’s a Bloomington, IL, Little League game you’re already running late for, and those sloppy joes won’t cook themselves. So, it happens. A little bit of beef grease on Friday, some old vegetable oil you fried chicken in on Monday, and a dollop of bacon fat on Thursday. Unfortunately, all these small amounts can add up to a big stubborn drain clog.

At Covenant Plumbing, a leading Bloomington, IL, plumbing company, we field a lot of service calls related to kitchen sink clogs. Once your sink becomes clogged, it can stop up the household. Our plumbers are trained, certified, and friendly–even when they explain why you shouldn’t allow fats, oils, or grease to go down your drains. Here’s why:

Why You Should Not Pour Oil, Grease, and Fats Down Your Drains

If you’ve ever let grease sit in a pan overnight, you know what happens to it. Although it begins as a liquid, it hardens. In fact, it solidifies. When you pour this fluid down the drain, it will solidify in your pipes. Even if you run water with it, there’s a strong possibility that some of that grease will still sit in a bend in your pipe where it will harden. Once it hardens, it’s going to sit in your pipe.

While one pour isn’t likely to cause a clog, subsequent pours of grease, oil, and fat will add additional layers to that hardened grease until, eventually, you have the makings of a big clog. Combined with scabs of food debris, this clog will block your pipe as effectively as a cork in a bottle. If you’re lucky, the clog will be in your p-trap or an easily accessible pipe right below your sink. Chances are, however, it’s further down the line. In such cases, you’ll probably need a plumbing company to clear the clog.

The Proper Way to Dispose of Cooking Grease, Oils, and Fats

The most convenient way to dispose of grease, oils, and fats is in your lined garbage can–definitely NOT your toilet. Dumping these materials down the toilet will only lead to a clog in your sewer line in time. You can wait for the grease to harden and then wipe it into the trash receptacle.

If you’re draining food of grease, you can place your colander over a larger bowl and allow the grease to drain into it. Then, when the grease solidifies, you can dispose of it in your garbage can. Some people use an old can to drain grease and oils. The main point is–don’t introduce these materials into your drains because they make for some of the most stubborn clogs that our plumbing company deals with.

Now You Tell Me! I Have a Grease Clog, So What Can I Do?

If you’re in the process of looking for information about how to clear a grease clog from your drain, we’re sorry you’re dealing with this. We know what an inconvenience a clog can be. Yes, it’s true that a grease or oil clog is stubborn. However, you can try a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda followed by hot water to loosen the clog and, hopefully, wash it away. We can’t promise that will do the trick. In fact, it’s more likely to help if you’re trying to correct a slow drain that’s caused by grease in the line.

If this doesn’t work, we know you might be tempted to buy a bottle of commercial drain cleaner. They’re sold in lots of stores throughout the area. However, we strongly suggest that you refrain from this purchase. Commercial drain cleaners produce gas and heat with very powerful chemical reactions in your drains. These chemicals simply aren’t good for your pipes. Also, they don’t always work! If you have a stubborn grease clog and the drain cleaning doesn’t get through it, you’ll have a compounded problem–a clogged drain and a bunch of toxic, corrosive chemicals sitting in your valuable plumbing system. That won’t do.

Call Your Plumbing Company Pros

Your plumbing system is essential to your home. If you have a tough clog, it’s always better to contact Covenant Plumbing. We can visit your home to perform our drain cleaning services, using solutions that are safe for your pipes. Typically, we have two options. We’ll either snake the line using an auger or, rather, a cable to push the grease clog through before washing it away. Or, we’ll perform hydro jetting, which is a good solution if you’ve experienced more than one clog recently.

Calling in your local plumbing company is a bit more costly than the price of a bottle of drain cleaner at your local supermarket, but it’s not among the most expensive plumbing services either. And, it’s the safest option for clearing a drain and protecting your plumbing system.

Also, avoid DIY methods of drain cleaning. Even if you have a drain snake, you could damage your pipes if you use it improperly. For instance, if you use an electric model, you could easily cause a leak in a section of the pipe. Covenant Plumbing features experienced plumbers who know how to unclog even the most stubborn grease clogs. We are adept at using our tools and equipment, which accompany us on every visit.

If you need plumbing service at your Bloomington, IL, home, call Covenant Plumbing. Our plumbing company is licensed and insured. We have a reputation throughout the region for our fair pricing and friendly plumbing technicians. You can count on us to tackle all of your plumbing problems.

Photo By Pradit.Ph at Shutterstock
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