When cleaning up after breakfast, have you ever been tempted to just . . . pour that grease right down the drain? The pros seem to outweigh the cons, at least in terms of mess and convenience. How bad could it really be? Turns out, grease down the drain can cause A LOT of damage! Here’s why:
Cooking often generates significant amounts of fats, oils, and grease (FOG), which, if improperly disposed of, can cause serious plumbing and environmental issues. FOG, including meat fats, butter, and vegetable oil, solidifies as it cools, leading to blockages in pipes and sewer systems.
The chemistry behind this involves fatty acids and glycerol in FOG reacting with minerals, particularly calcium, in hard water. This creates sticky deposits that accumulate over time, forming large clogs known as "fatbergs." These blockages can lead to sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), where untreated sewage is released into the environment, contaminating water sources and causing property damage.
SSOs pose significant environmental risks, harming wildlife and polluting drinking water. Additionally, clogs can damage home plumbing systems, requiring costly repairs or even pipe replacements. Plumbers often use auger tools to remove these clogs, but more extensive damage can result in thousands of dollars in repairs.
The proper way to dispose of FOG is to collect it in a reusable or disposable container, allowing it to solidify before throwing it in the trash. Paper towels should be used to soak up residual grease from pots and pans before washing. While boiling water can temporarily break down FOG, it merely postpones the issue, potentially leading to clogs in less accessible parts of the plumbing system.
Adopting proper disposal habits is crucial to prevent environmental harm and costly plumbing repairs. By avoiding pouring grease down the drain and instead solidifying and discarding it in the trash, homeowners can contribute to maintaining healthy sewer systems and protecting the environment.
