Grease in Millcreek Drains: Proper Disposal and Remedies for Clogs

In part one of this two-part blog series, we looked at a common misuse of various drains in the home: Pouring grease down them. Many homeowners think that pouring grease down a drain isn't a big deal, since this is just a liquid like most others -- this is false, and this kind of thing can lead to significant plumbing issues if it happens too often. 

At Neighborly Plumbing & Services, we're proud to offer clients a number of drain cleaning services and related areas of expertise for our Millcreek clients, including tips on what not to pour down your drains -- such as grease. In today's part two of our series, we'll go over the proper method for disposing of grease or cooking oil from cooking or other uses, plus what to do if too much grease has already been poured down a given drain and is creating issues.

Proper Grease and Cooking Oil Disposal

So if you can't pour grease down a given drain, how do you get rid of it? This is a common question, but the answer is actually simple.

Instead of pouring the grease down any drain, simply wait for it to harden -- this won't take very long, usually just a few minutes. Once it's hardened, you can then scrape it into the garbage can and dispose of it from there. If you have a compost bin or pile, you can also compost the grease (after it has been hardened).

For cooking oil, you may have a couple options. This oil will not harden in the same way as grease, so if you want to discard it, we recommend first letting it cool, then pouring it over paper towels into the trash bin. In other cases, you might pour it into an old aluminum soda or beer can, which can then be sealed and thrown out.

Some people, however, actually prefer to save their cooking oil for future use. If this is your plan, it's best to store the oil in a clear glass jar (not plastic) and keep it in a cool, dark place.

Grease or Oil Already in Drains

If you were unaware of these issues until reading this blog, and have been pouring grease or cooking oil into various drains for months or even years, it's possible that clogs or other drain issues you're experiencing are a direct result of this. In these cases, hiring a professional drain cleaning service is the best solution.

Our team at Neighborly Plumbing & Services can help clear out any clogs or grease build-up that may have resulted from improper disposal methods. We'll also provide tips and advice on how to keep your drains clear in the future, so that you never have to worry about this again.

If you're in the Millcreek area and are in need of a professional drain cleaning service, please don't hesitate to give us a call today. We'll be more than happy to help!