How To Handle Clogged Drains From Grease And Food

How To Handle Clogged Drains From Grease And Food

One of the everyday household items we take for granted is our drains. Multiple substances get into our draining system every time we cook, wash dishes, brush our teeth, and shower. 

Most of these items will dissolve and not cause issues, but other materials can cause back-up, overflow and even flooding when washed down our drain. 

Most homes come equipped with a garbage disposal. In the kitchen, we must be aware of the food and grease we wash down the sink. Try to avoid rinsing food down the drain and use the disposal instead. You can also avoid this altogether by throwing away leftover food before placing dirty dishes in the sink. 

Grease is a little more challenging because sometimes you might not notice it’s there. If you can avoid it, never put grease down your drains. Instead, wait for it to cool down and harden and then put it directly into a trash bag or metal can for disposal. If it is an oil that does not harden, you can put it in a metal can or other containers that you can throw in the trash can. 

If your drains become clogged, there are a few things that you can do in order to provide temporary relief. However, since the extent or seriousness of the clog has not been diagnosed by professionals, we urge caution when trying this method. Lion Home Service cannot be held liable for any damage possibly caused by the below steps.

You can use a plunger on your sink if your drains are clogged. The suction from the plunger can help clear the blockage and keep your water flowing.

If the plunger doesn’t work, you can begin by pouring hot water down the drain. Then mix baking soda and vinegar, cover the drain with the plug, and wait for 5 to 10 minutes. After that, pour additional hot water down the drain to clear the clog. 

Another option for clearing clogged drains is to use a snake. These devices allow you to push or pull items from your drain that are stuck and may be causing the blockage. These work well when food, hair or other items are stuck and unable to be removed with a plunger or boiling water. 

These options are quick fixes but you will likely continue to experience clogged drains shortly after. Your best option for cleaning your drains is to call our team at (970) 551-6987 and schedule your professional drain cleaning. We will make sure that your drains are running like new.

Lion's Tips for Homeowners
Categories: Plumbing
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