What Happens When You Pour Grease Down Your Drains?

What Happens When You Pour Grease Down Your Drains?

Have you ever finished cooking bacon or ground beef and thought, “I’ll just pour this leftover grease down the sink with hot water – it’ll be fine”? You’re not alone. Many homeowners think it’s harmless, but pouring grease down your drains is one of the worst things you can do for your plumbing system.

In this post, we’ll break down:

✅ Why grease causes clogged pipes

✅ The hidden long-term damage

✅ What to do instead

✅ How to fix grease clogs if they’ve already happened

🛑 Why Pouring Grease Down the Drain Is a Bad Idea

When grease is hot, it’s a liquid, making it seem like it can just wash away with hot water. But as soon as it cools down, it solidifies into a thick, sticky mass.

Here’s what happens step by step:

1. You pour hot grease down the drain.

2. It travels through your pipes while still warm.

3. As it cools, it turns into a solid, coating the inside of your pipes.

4. Over time, layer upon layer of grease builds up, narrowing your pipes like cholesterol in arteries.

5. Eventually, this buildup traps food scraps, coffee grounds, and other debris, causing a complete blockage.

   
   

⚠️ The Hidden Damage Grease Does to Your Plumbing System

The immediate problem is a clogged drain, but the hidden damage goes deeper:

🔴 Sewer Backups: If the clog is severe, it can back up into other drains or overflow your sewer line.

🔴 Foul Odors: Rotting grease and trapped food smell terrible, creating persistent odors in your kitchen.

🔴 Pipe Damage: Grease can corrode metal pipes over time and contribute to pipe leaks or breaks.

🔴 Neighborhood Sewer Issues: In some cases, grease buildup can affect main sewer lines, creating expensive municipal repairs.

💡 What Should I Do With Cooking Grease When I Am Finished Cooking?

✔️ Let It Cool: After cooking, let grease cool in the pan or pour it into a heat-safe container.

✔️ Throw It Away: Once it solidifies, scrape it into the trash.

✔️ Use a Grease Container: Some homeowners keep an old can or jar specifically for grease disposal.

✔️ Wipe Pans With a Paper Towel: Before rinsing pans in the sink, wipe out residual grease with a paper towel and dispose of it in the trash.

🚨 What If You’ve Already Poured Grease Down the Drain?

If you accidentally poured grease down the drain once, don’t panic. Here’s what you can do immediately to help minimize buildup:

✅ Run Hot Water + Dish Soap:Right after pouring grease down, squirt a generous amount of grease-cutting dish soap into the drain and run the hottest water possible for a few minutes.

Dish soap emulsifies grease, helping it break apart and move further down the line. This isn’t a perfect fix but can help if it’s a small amount.

⚠️ Note: This only works if the grease hasn’t already cooled and solidified in the pipes.

💧 If Your Sink Is Already Slow or Clogged

If you notice water draining slowly or backing up:

✔️ Try a Plunger:Use a sink plunger (not your toilet plunger!) to create suction and dislodge the clog. Make sure to cover the overflow hole with a wet rag for better suction.

✔️ Use a Drain Snake (Auger):If plunging doesn’t work and you’re comfortable using a drain snake, feed it down the drain to break up or pull out the greasy blockage. Always go slowly to avoid damaging pipes.

⚠️ Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners:They can corrode pipes over time and are often ineffective against grease clogs. Professional-grade drain cleaning is safer and more thorough.

💡 Extra Plumbing Tips to Keep Your Pipes Clean and Clear

🛠️ 1. Use Strainers in All Drains

They catch food scraps, hair, and debris before they go down your pipes.

🛠️ 2. Run Hot Water Regularly

Once a week, boil a kettle of water and slowly pour it down your kitchen sink to help melt minor grease buildup.

🛠️ 3. Use Baking Soda + Vinegar Monthly

Pour ½ cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar down your drain. Let it fizz for 5-10 minutes, then flush with hot water. This natural method helps break down minor buildup and deodorizes your pipes.

🛠️ 4. Avoid Putting Oils, Fats, or Coffee Grounds Down the Drain

These are top culprits for drain clogs. Dispose of them in the trash or compost coffee grounds.

🛠️ 5. Schedule a Professional Drain Cleaning

If your home is older or you notice recurring slow drains, professional hydro jetting or drain cleaning will restore your pipes to like-new condition and prevent major blockages.

Pouring grease down the drain might feel convenient, but it can cause major plumbing headaches down the line. Save yourself stress and money by disposing of grease properly and keeping your pipes free and clear.

What Should I do If I Notice My Sink Is Draining Slowly or Clogged?

If you notice your sinks starting to drain slow, here’s what you should do:

✅ First, try a quick DIY check:

• Remove and clean the drain stopper or strainer (hair and debris often get trapped there).

• Run hot water to see if it improves flow.

• Try plunging if it’s completely backed up.

  
  

⚠️ If it’s still draining slow or happens repeatedly, call a licensed plumber.

Why call a plumber?

Slow drains are often a sign of buildup deeper in your pipes (grease, food, soap scum) or an early indicator of a larger blockage in your main sewer line. Ignoring it can lead to a full clog or even backups into your sinks, tubs, or basement.

If you’re in the Pittsburgh area, contact Revelation Plumbing – we’ll diagnose the problem and clear your drains safely without harsh chemicals that can damage pipes.

Call Us Today 412-518-7170