Congealed grease is a messy and expensive plumbing problem.
In liquid form grease seems like it would rinse easily down the drain, however that is not the case, grease quickly congeals after it is poured from your pan and into the sink, causing major plumbing problems. “Grease solidifies in the pipes and acts as a sticky trap for gunk and debris. Over time this blockage can clog the pipes or slow the drain. Grease also wreaks havoc on local sewer systems and septic tanks.” (Mr. Rooter)
Congealed Grease in Your Plumbing
When grease is poured down the sink and mixes with cooler water, within minutes it begins to cool and coat the inside of your plumbing. It congeals around the interior of your pipe and begins to shrink the diameter in which wastewater can drain through it. As you continue to use your sink, the congealed grease will begin to collect food particles from your garbage disposal and anything else that is rinsed—thus shrinking the width of your pipe even further. With improper rinsing habits, it will not take long before you begin to notice a foul smell emanating from your drain.
This foul smell will then turn into a major plumbing issue once your drain becomes completely clogged and wastewater is sent back up through the drains in your home.
The Binding Agent of Fatbergs? Congealed Grease.
With enough grease being rinsed from different homes in your neighborhood, fatbergs can grow, and grown and grow. The grease that doesn’t stick to the inside of your plumbing makes its way into the sewer network where it joins up with wastewater from your neighborhood.
This wastewater contains a wide assortment of chemicals and items, causing all of it to begin bonding together into a waxy compound in which fats, oils and grease are the main bonding agents. These waxy, almost soapy, balls are called fatbergs.
Fatbergs in the sewer network grow very rapidly and eventually end up blocking entire portions of the sewer network. They grow so fast because that one pan of oil or grease you rinsed down your sink, met up with other oil and grease your neighbors rinsed down their sinks. You can see how the issue grows exponentially. Once all of these fats, oils and grease meet up with food particles, wet wipes and other items flushed, it becomes hard as concrete and a major problem for water companies.
To date, the largest fatberg uncovered was in London in 2017 and it weighed in at 130 tons and 250 meters long.
Sewer Overflows Caused by Fatbergs
Once a fatberg has blocked a section of a sewer line, wastewater then gets pushed upward and flows out of drains and manholes into local neighborhoods, homes, and the environment.
When sewers overflow into the environment and waterways, the damage caused is not quickly repaired. Contaminants in the environment can look and smell terrible, but their impact goes beyond just aesthetics. Some pollutants resist breakdown and accumulate in the food chain. These pollutants can be consumed or absorbed by fish and wildlife, which in turn may be eaten by us. (NOAA)
Grease Hero Drain Guards
Ditch the congealed grease plumbing nightmare altogether with Grease Hero drain guards. The Grease Hero drain guard is designed to be placed into the top of your kitchen drain or on your countertop. You can quickly and easily pour the used cooking fat, oil or grease into it, and then promptly dispose of the entire drain guard, instead of rinsing these harmful contaminants down the kitchen sink. Our Grease Hero drain guard is made with recyclable materials to absorb the fats, oils and grease and can be thrown out with your regular garbage. Stock up on Grease Hero drain guards today.
Learn more about fatbergs with these additional articles:
- Six (Almost) Unbelievable Facts About Fatbergs
- Bacon Grease — The Ultimate Drain Clogging Culprit
- Two Easy Ways to Dispose of Grease Hero Drain Guards
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