Say Goodbye to Grease!
We have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season and clean plumbing is near the top of that list. However, with tons of family members coming over for Thanksgiving it’s easy to let things fall through the cracks, and pipes.
Avoiding costly clogs may seem impossible. Fat, oil and grease solidify in household drains and, overtime, can completely block pipes. Items such as sauces, meats, dairy, cooking oil, butter, food scraps, and lard contribute to nasty congestion. But don’t worry, follow our tips and you can be living a perfect plumbing life.
First, you should know the risks. Blocked pipes can:
- Back up raw sewage, which can cause serious health hazards.
- Be expensive and unpleasant to clean up.
- Create an overflow of raw sewage into parks, yards and streets.
- Pollute groundwater.
- Increase costs for local wastewater utilities, causing higher sewer bills.
Many people aren’t aware that their everyday habits can be detrimental to their plumbing. Are you a mindful homeowner? Find out below.
Myth:
Pouring grease down sink drains or into toilets is OK.
Fact:
Pouring grease anywhere other than metal cans to be placed into the trash is a major problem.
Myth:
Garbage disposals keep grease out of the plumbing system.
Fact:
Garbage disposals are handy for other purposes but will not prevent grease from backing up your pipes.
Myth:
Baby wipes are as flushable as toilet paper and will not cause any damage.
Fact:
Just because baby wipes, and other flushable wipes, go down the toilet does not mean they should. They’re actually doing more harm than good. Just throw them away!
How’d you do? If you still need some help protecting your pipes, consider installing grease traps. For one to work correctly it must be:
- Designed, sized and manufactured to handle the amount of grease that is expected.
- Installed properly, level and vented.
- Cleaned, maintained and serviced frequently.
Solids should also never be put into grease traps. Additionally, you should not rely solely on your grease trap. Lend a hand by putting strainers over sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids, and by scraping food scraps and grease into a trash can.
Lastly, these issues aren’t just found at home. Business owners should follow these tips as well to keep their company running smoothly. Aqua actually helps businesses by visiting kitchens and food services to ensure compliance with state regulations. This is done through regular inspections of wastewater systems.
So, water you waiting for? Give us a call today to set up an appointment! And, for more WaterSmart Tips visit AquaAmerica.com.
