Drain Cleaning: The Problem with Grease

Hot pans of oil frying up deliciousness are heard in commercial kitchens across the country. After the last hungry patron leaves, it’s time to clean the kitchen. Cleaning up is simple. Wash the dishes and put away the supplies, but what to do with the leftover grease? Pouring it down the drain is a disaster waiting to happen.

Hot grease poured down the drain begins to cool and solidify in the pipes. Even liquid fats, such as olive oil and peanut oil, pose a serious risk of clogging the drain. The biggest problem is when discarded grease reaches the sewage pipes. It mixes with other chemicals on its way to the water treatment plant. Chemical reactions between the fatty acids and calcium form a “soap” like globs. Rising sewer levels cause these globs to stick to the ceiling and form “fatbergs“. Unfortunately, improper grease disposal is a common occurrence. Nearly 36,000 sewer overflows a year result from grease blockages.

Solving the problem of sewage overflow is best done with prevention. Installing a grease trap is the best way to prevent damage from improper grease disposal. Grease traps collect the fat that floats on the water surface when poured down the drain. The tank drains from the bottom and leaves the grease in the reservoir. It’s important to have grease traps regularly maintained with a professional drain cleaning. During drain cleaning maintenance, professionals empty the trap of solidified fat and inspect for damages and warning signs.

Contact us for more information about grease trap maintenance and cleaning out clogged pipes.