When your cooking oil, fat or grease is no longer fit for cooking, you might be tempted to pour it down the sink to get rid of it easily. Although you have disposed of it, what you may not know is that you have initiated blockage in your drains and this might cost you money and time in the long run. Oil or grease solidifies when it cools. As a result, it will stick to the sides of your pipes allowing the residues to build up.

What Are the Dangers of Pouring Oil Down Your Drain?

Cooking oil does not remain in the same liquid state – it hardens. With the oil accumulation on the sides of the pipes, it forms a sticky clog that will trap food debris or anything that will be going down the drains. With time, you will experience a blockage. This will cause drain backups in your home or business, and overflow of sewer on your property, roadway and waterways causing contamination.

Even though you might run hot water after pouring the oil into the sink, it probably won’t help. There is no soap or water hot enough to keep oil from solidifying eventually. Even if it does not stick to the pipes, it will get into the sewage system. In the sewer, the presence of other decomposing substances and chemicals will create a more severe issue when the oil mixes with them. The reaction with these other wastes will lead to the formation of a fatberg – a large, sticky, soapy, waxy lump.

The formation of a fatberg in your sewer is a problem you definitely don’t want as it will expand and harden over time. It becomes costly to remove as it requires specialized equipment.

Prevention

Practice preventive measures to avoid dealing with blocked drains and fatbergs.

• Keep oil, fat or grease out of your drains. Whether it enters the drains during food preparation or cleaning your kitchen it has a similar effect on the pipes and sewer.

• Ensure your household is aware of the damage oil can cause to avoid related clogs.

• Pour your oil or fat into a sealable container and put it in the trash after use.

• Before washing your utensils or dishes that have oil residues, use a paper towel or napkin to wipe off the oil or grease and dispose of it in the rubbish bin.

• Use sink strainers to prevent food waste from going down the drain.

• Place food residues in the trash and not a garbage disposal.

• If you have a business such as a commercial kitchen or restaurant, you should have oil interceptors or traps installed as per the county compliance requirements.

What to Do in the Case of a Clogged Drain

If you have already poured oil down your sink, you can reduce the effect it can have on your pipes by

• Pouring hot water into the drains

• Pouring a mixture of baking soda and vinegar then add hot water to flush it.

• If the clogging is severe, some special cameras are used by plumbers to inspect the blocked drains, then use a snake to remove the clogs, so make sure to call an expert when needed.