Cooking grease or any kind of coagulating substance is the worst thing you could put in your drains. Grease can cause major clogs that are hard to remove. It can also damage your pipes and lead to replacement costs. While it is best to avoid grease going down your drains in the first place, it may not always be avoided. Cleaning grease out of your drains is possible, but you may need to use multiple methods to completely remove the clog. Some cleaning methods can be used to help break down grease and remove it from your drains.
It is important to note that if your drains are extremely clogged, calling a professional is the best way to go. S&B Plumbing can help narrow down where your plumbing is having the most problems and make efficient repairs. Our team performs many drain cleanings every day, which means we have the experience needed to remove all clogs efficiently.
1- Hot Water Therapy
Using hot water to clean your drain might seem like a waste of time, but the hot water out of your tap isn’t hot enough to break up stubborn grease. Pouring boiling water down your drain is a simple way to clear out blockages. Hot water can help melt grease and make it easier for it to move through your system. You can boil some water and pour it down in stages so it can make its way through the pipes. Making this a part of your routine maintenance can help keep your pipes flowing easily.
2- Chemical Reaction Of Baking Soda And Vinegar
This age-old trick is still being used today for cleaning grease because of how effective it is. This method doesn’t cause damage to your pipes and uses household items you likely already have laying around. Putting a small amount of baking soda in your garbage disposal or drain and dumping in about a teaspoon of vinegar at a time should help create the reaction without causing it to overflow out of the sink.
3- Abrasive Salt And Baking Soda Combo
Mixing equal parts salt and baking soda and putting it in your drain is abrasive enough to cut through grease. Let the mixture sit in your drains for several hours before rinsing it down with water. This method will also help to eliminate odors in your drains and pipes making it the perfect addition to your regular cleaning regimen.
4- Plunger Power
When you have stubborn clogs or are cleaning grease out of drains, you may have to use a plunger to help remove them. Create a tight seal around the drain and plunge vigorously. The pressure from the plunger will help dislodge the clog from the sides of your pipes and help it move out of the pipe easier. Repeat this process as many times as necessary.
5- Use A Snake Or Auger
It is common for plumbers and homeowners alike to use a drain snake or plumbing auger. These special tools help to break up grease into much smaller pieces which will help it exit your pipes. It is important to follow the instructions when it comes to an auger because when used incorrectly, it can cause damage to your pipes. When you use a drain snake, be careful to avoid puncturing the pipes or pushing the clog further into the piping system. If you think that a drain snake is your best option, hire a plumber to use a professional-grade snake.
6- Call In A Professional
Are these tips for cleaning grease out of drains not helping? Time to call in a plumber! Professional plumbers can help remove clogs quicker because they have the right tools. Specialized plumbing snakes, safe drain cleaners, and basic plumbing wrenches can all be used to remove major blockages. A plumber will be able to determine if the pipes need to be taken apart to remove the blockage, how far down in your system the grease clog goes, and much more. Not all of us have the background knowledge of a professional, so if you have tried cleaning grease without success, it’s time to hire a pro.
S&B Plumbing has some of the best plumbers in the state of Utah. We offer drain and sewer cleaning 24/7 because it is the most common plumbing problem. We understand that clogs can be frustrating and difficult. Each of our plumbers shows up to your home or business with all the tools necessary to remove that clog. Work with our plumbers to help improve your pipes and eliminate stubborn grease.