Want to Keep Your Drains Clean? Avoid FOG

Keeping your home’s drains clean can be a challenge simply because they are put to use every day. However, there are certain types of food and food byproducts that can create more problems for your drains than necessary. What are we referring to? FOG, better known as fats, oils and grease. While a number of materials can clog your drains, FOG is a clever enemy of your drains, as we’ll explain below.

What FOG Does in Drains and Garbage Disposals

So what’s the harm in disposing of fats, oils and grease in your drain? The first problem is that FOG doesn’t go away. While it may be in liquid form when you initially pour it into your drain, it will start to congeal as soon as it cools. This means it sticks to the inside of your piping and/or garbage disposal easily and stubbornly. The second problem with FOG is that hot water doesn’t remove it, and in fact, creates more problems where FOG is concerned. This is because fats, oil and grease melt initially, but then cool and congeal further down your drain, where they can create a large clog deep in your system. Lastly, FOG smells. Food particles and FOG itself will spoil, creating some pretty bad odors when left alone.

So what should you do to avoid problems with FOG? First, never dispose of any kind of FOG in your drains, even it is a spoonful of mayonnaise. For solid fats and grease, dispose of them directly into a garbage can, not your garbage disposal – FOG will cling to the blades and mechanics of your disposal. Second, for liquid fats, use an old can to hold the liquid so that it has a place to cool and congeal; once the can is full dispose of it in your garbage.

Keeping vigilant of FOG can go a long way toward ensuring your drains stay healthy and clear, but if you do need drain cleaning service in Denver, CO, call the experts at Bell Plumbing and Heating today.