If you take home cleaning seriously, it’s easy to be misled into thinking that your kitchen is clean and well-maintained even beneath the surface. However, if you’re pouring oil or grease down the sink, you’re unknowingly setting your pipes up for trouble. While it might feel convenient at the moment, any plumber in Lincoln, CA, will tell you that oil and grease are some of the worst things you can send down your sink.
Let’s take a closer look at how oil and grease affect your kitchen pipes and what you can do to avoid costly repairs.
What Happens When Oil and Grease Enter Your Pipes?
When you pour hot grease or oil down the drain, you might assume it will simply flow through your pipes and disappear. After all, it’s liquid, right? Not quite. As soon as the oil and grease begin to cool, they harden and stick to the walls of your pipes. That greasy residue starts small, but layer by layer, it builds up. Eventually, it can clog your pipes completely. What follows are slow drains, backups, and other issues that can be resolved with intervention from a plumbing company.
Even if you flush the oil down with hot water or soap, the problem doesn’t go away. Oil and grease still cling to your pipes and solidify. When this residue hardens in your plumbing system, it acts like glue, trapping other debris like food scraps, hair, and even dirt. Over time, you’ll notice your sink draining more slowly, or worse, it might stop draining altogether.
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The Domino Effect of Grease Buildup
It doesn’t take long for small amounts of grease to cause big problems. As grease clogs begin to form in your pipes, they create blockages that restrict water flow. When water can’t pass through freely, it increases pressure in your pipes. This pressure not only slows down drainage but can also cause your pipes to weaken or crack. When your pipes crack, you risk leaks and water damage to your walls or flooring, which can be extremely expensive to repair.
But the domino effect doesn’t stop there. If your pipes are clogged, your plumbing system has to work harder, which can strain other areas of your home’s plumbing, leading to further damage. Kitchen pipes are often connected to larger drainage systems, and clogs can impact your sewer lines, increasing the chances of a sewer backup into your home—a nightmare scenario if addressed without general plumbing services.
How Oil and Grease Can Harm Your Local Sewer System
While the issues with oil and grease might start in your kitchen, they don’t end there. When grease travels down your pipes, it eventually makes its way into the municipal sewer system. When too much grease accumulates in the public sewers, it forms what’s known as a “fatberg.” These massive, congealed blocks of grease, oil, and non-biodegradable materials can block entire sections of the sewer system, leading to widespread backups and sewage spills.
Sewage spills are harmful not only to your home but also to the environment. Raw sewage contains bacteria and toxins that can contaminate local water supplies and damage ecosystems. By properly disposing of your oil and grease, you’re doing your part to keep the larger sewer system functioning smoothly and protecting your local community from these risks.
Why Professional Drain Maintenance Matters
Even the smallest amount of grease and oil may trigger a need for emergency plumbing service. This is where regular maintenance comes into play. Scheduling routine drain cleanings with a plumbing professional can help clear out any minor buildups before they turn into major clogs. A professional plumber can inspect your pipes, remove accumulated grease, and keep your kitchen plumbing in top shape.
Investing in professional drain maintenance can also catch small issues that you may not have noticed. It’s a preventive measure that keeps your pipes working efficiently and extends the life of your plumbing system. In the long run, regular cleanings can save you from dealing with a messy and costly plumbing emergency.
The next time you’re tempted to pour oil or grease down the drain, pause, and think again. What seems like a small decision can have significant consequences for your kitchen pipes and overall plumbing system. By following the outlined tips, you’ll protect your home from expensive and unnecessary repairs.
Take control of your kitchen plumbing today, and avoid the frustration of clogs, backups, and potential water damage. It’s a simple step that will save you time, money, and stress in the long run.