Plumbing problems can be a nightmare to any home or kitchen. No matter the size of your family, your kitchen will always face the biggest messes. Calling a plumber every six months can take a toll on your everyday schedule and budget. F.O.G’s (fats, oils, and greases) are the biggest contributors to kitchen plumbing problems, and we want you to avoid them as if they were the plague. To keep these enemies away from your kitchen isn’t necessarily an easy task, but with some simple practices, they can save your kitchen sink and your sanity.
What Are F.O.Gs?
Fats, oils and greases are the messy demons that love to clog and destroy your kitchen sink. Their sticky disposition clings to the inside of your piping and overtime will create buildup and grime. Some common F.O.G’s that should never make their way down your drain are:
- Vegetable or cooking oil
- Chick, beef or other meats
- Butter
- Milk
- Mayonnaise
- Nuts, olives or avocados
- Any grease from cooking
Myths About F.O.G.s
There are many common myths and practices that homeowners think will remedy their F.O.G problems, when in reality, they only make them worse. Here are some of the common F.O.G. myths:
- Hot Water – Many homeowners think that by flooding their clogged drains with hot or boiling water will melt and rid F.O.Gs from their drains, when in reality it makes the problem worse. When you pour hot water down your drain, it temporarily turns the F.O.G’s into a liquefied state. The F.O.G’s will then travel further down your pipes to then solidify again and create a build up lower in your pipes.
- Garbage Disposal – If you think that your garbage disposal will remove your F.O.G buildup, think again. A garbage disposal will only chop up the F.O.G build up into smaller fragments. After more and more small fragments have made their way out of the garbage disposal and into your pipes, they will eventually pile up and lead to slow draining and other plumbing issues.
Garbage Disposal – If you think that your garbage disposal will remove your F.O.G buildup, think again. A garbage disposal will only chop up the F.O.G build up into smaller fragments. After more and more small fragments have made their way out of the garbage disposal and into your pipes, they will eventually pile up and lead to slow draining and other plumbing issues.
How To Avoid F.O.G
Keeping F.O.G substances from entering your drains is the best and most effective way to avoid calling the plumber more than you should. Here are some tips on how to evade F.O.G so that you can keep your home running like the finely tuned machine it is.
- Use a strainer – a strainer can catch some F.O.G substances before they escape down the drain. This inexpensive tool can help save you time and money in the kitchen.
- Scrape before scrub – Before even placing dirty dishes into the sink, scrape everything off and into the trash. From meats to dressings, get it all off before scrubbing it down. Many foods contain greases and fats that will cause buildup over time.
- Trash your cooking grease – The easiest way to clog your drain is to pour leftover grease from cooking down the drain. Dispose of grease in a metal can, glass bottle or other appropriate container before washing pots and pans in the sink.
Fats, oils and greases will deteriorate your clean pipes in a heartbeat. Avoid clogged and slow drains by keeping F.O.G out of the sink and into the trash. If you suspect F.O.G are currently destroying your kitchen plumbing, we can help. We offer the best plumbing services backed by a team of friendly professionals. Practice these safe-cleaning procedures to help keep you, your family and your budget happy.