The Roto Rooter plumbing experts at Roto-Rooter High Desert in Hesperia, CA, do plenty of work fixing kitchen plumbing issues. The unfortunate problem is that so many of them are easily-avoided. One of the best examples of this is the problem of grease in kitchen sinks.
“Everyone knows” not to pour grease down the sink, but it’s also advice that a lot of people ignore. Unfortunately, this is one of the fastest ways to clog up a kitchen sink and necessitate a call to Roto Rooter plumbing services. Really, it should be avoided at all costs.
Why Grease Is Bad for Kitchen Sinks
Simply put, grease is a problem because it’s sticky and because it hardens as it cools. Pouring even a small amount of grease down a sink causes it to run down the sides of the pipe, coating it the whole way down, which then becomes a sticky layer. By doing so, this then makes it easier for other debris to get stuck, speeding up the formation of clogs.
Further, contrary to rumours, running hot water down the sink does very little to help with this. Oil and water, of course, don’t mix. The hot water might potentially heat up the grease a little bit, and encourage a small amount to pass through, but it really doesn’t undo the damage.
Also, garbage disposals do nothing to prevent grease buildup. When you’ve just had a greasy meal, like fried chicken, it’s best to scrape the plate into the trash rather than sending it through the disposal.
Better Options for Disposing of Grease
Most of the time, if you have a small amount of grease on a plate or pan, your best bet is to leave the plate out until the grease congeals into a solid. Then it can be easily scraped off the dish with a spatula or butter knife into your trashcan.
In case there’s a lot of grease, pour it into an old can. Then you can dispose of it later, once the grease has hardened. Or, if you’re a DIY type, keep it around to cook with like the pioneers did!
But If Those Pipes Are Truly Clogged…
Don’t forget that Roto Rooter plumbing services are available 24/7 from Roto-Rooter High Desert! Call us any time day or night, and we’ll be there when you need us.
