Avoid the Buildup of Grease in Drain Pipes

While the use of some fats, oils and grease is vital for cooking, they are not good for the drains and pipes in your plumbing system. At Ben Franklin, our plumbing experts want to help you to avoid costly plumbing repairs by recommending these simple ways to help avoid grease in drains.

Do Not Pour Grease Down the Drain

Instead of using water and detergent to rinse the grease from your pots and pans while washing, let the grease dry up first. Once the fats and grease have dried, you can remove them from your dishes by scraping them into the trashcan.

Invest in Grease Traps

Another way to avoid grease in drains is to use a grease trap. This device captures grease and oils before they can make their way through your drains and pipes. Clean these traps every few weeks to prevent grease buildup and blockages.

Recycle Your Cooking Oils and Grease

Filter and strain your used cooking oils so that you can save money and use them again. Cooking oil and fats have a much longer shelf life than you think. Properly filtered cooking oil can last several weeks to months.

Use Disposable Absorption Materials

Consider using paper towels or napkins to absorb grease and oils for proper disposal, instead of towels and cloths. When you use cloths and fabric materials to clean up oils and grease, these substances are transferred into your plumbing system when you wash and rinse the towels.

Get Your Drains Cleaned

A regular drain cleaning can significantly improve the overall integrity of your plumbing system. A professional cleaning will remove grease, dirt and other debris that could cause much bigger plumbing problems in your pipes in the future.

Although the occasional time that you pour grease down the drain won’t create problems overnight, given enough time, it will. It is never too late to avoid grease in drains. Contact us at Ben Franklin for all of your plumbing needs. To learn more about our services, or how to properly dispose of greases, contact us.