How to Deal with Fat in Blocked Drain

Dealing with fat in blocked drain can be frustrating and messy. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you tackle the issue effectively.

What is Considered Fat that Can Block the Drain?

Fat, oil, and grease (FOG) are common culprits that can clog your drains. These substances can solidify and accumulate in your pipes, causing blockages and backups. Common sources of FOG include:

Cooking oils and fats

Grease from food waste

Animal fats

Cosmetic products containing oils

Why Is it Important to Get Rid of Fat in Drain?

Removing fat from your drains is crucial to maintain proper drainage and prevent costly repairs. If left unchecked, FOG can lead to:

Clogged pipes

Backed-up sewage

Unpleasant odors

Damage to your plumbing system

What You Need

To effectively deal with fat in blocked drains, you'll need the following tools and materials:

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a non-toxic, natural cleaner that helps break down and dissolve fat, oil, and grease (FOG) in different drain types, making it easier to remove the blockage.

Why It's Important: Baking soda is a gentle yet effective way to dissolve FOG, which can solidify and accumulate in your pipes, causing clogs and backups.

How to Use: Pour one cup of sodium bicarbonate down the drain, followed by one cup of boiling water. Let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing with another cup of hot water. The wait time allows the baking soda to work through the pipes and break down the FOG.

Dish Soap

Dish soap is a mild, non-abrasive cleaning agent that helps emulsify FOG, making it easier to remove.

Why It's Important: Dish soap helps to break down the FOG, allowing it to flow more easily through the pipes and reducing the risk of clogs.

How to Use: Pour one tablespoon of dish soap down the drain, followed by 1 cup of hot water. Let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing it with hot water. Waiting for the mixture to settle allows the dish soap to work through the pipes and break down the FOG.

Plunger

A plunger is an effective yet simple tool for clearing blockages in your drains.

Why It's Important: The plunger creates suction to dislodge FOG and other blockages, helping to clear the drain and restore proper flow.

How to Use: Place the plunger over the drain and plunge slowly and steadily until the blockage is cleared. Make sure to plunge in a steady, consistent motion to dislodge the blockage effectively.

Drain Snake

A drain snake is a flexible, long rod that removes blockages in your drains.

Why It's Important: The drain snake helps dislodge and remove FOG and other blockages, allowing you to restore proper water flow by clearing the drain.

How to Use: Feed the drain snake into the drain and rotate it as you push it further. The motion helps break up and remove blockages, allowing you to clear the drain.

Chemical Drain Cleaners (Optional)

Chemical drain cleaners are strong, chemical-based cleaning agents that can break down and remove stubborn blockages.

Why It's Important: Chemical drain cleaners can effectively break down and remove stubborn blockages, but they should be used cautiously and only as a last resort.

How to Use: When using chemical drain cleaners, follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Wear protective gloves and safety goggles, and avoid using them on damaged or corroded pipes.

Pro-Tip: To prevent the accumulation of fat, oil, and grease (FOG) in your drains, incorporate a routine of running hot water through your pipes. Regularly flushing your drains with hot water helps dissolve any small amounts of FOG that may have built up over time. Aim to do this weekly, especially after cooking, to keep your plumbing clear and functioning smoothly. This simple habit can significantly reduce the risk of future clogs and save you from messy blockages.

Steps on How to Deal with Fat in Blocked Drain

1. Pre-treat the drain. Pour baking soda and dish soap down the drain, then hot water. Let it sit for 30 minutes.

2. Use a plunger. Place the plunger over the drain and plunge slowly and steadily until the blockage is cleared.

3. Use a drain snake. Get the end of the drain snake inside the drain and rotate it as you push it further. Moving the tool helps break up and remove blockages.

4. Repeat if necessary. If the blockage persists, repeat the process until the drain is clear.

Preventing the Accumulation of Fat in Drain

To avoid dealing with fat in blocked drains, follow these simple tips:

1. Dispose of FOG properly by putting it in a container and allowing it to cool before throwing it away.

2. If you want to keep hair and other debris out of your drain, use a screen or filter.

3. Run hot water through the drain regularly to clear any accumulated FOG.

Other Considerations When Clearing Fat in Blocked Drain

1. Always wear protective clothing and goggles when handling chemicals or using tools to clear blockages.

2. Avoid using harsh chemicals as much as possible. Chemical drain cleaners may cause damage to your pipes and harm the environment. Use them only as a last resort.

3. Call a professional. If you're uncomfortable clearing the blockage, consider hiring a professional plumber.

How do I Clear Fat in Blocked Drains When Nothing Works?

If you've tried the above methods and still can't clear the blockage, it may be time to call a professional plumber. All Needs Plumbing offers professional services to help you deal with fat in blocked drains. Our team provides 24/7 same-day service with a $0 callout fee, and we also offer a 15% discount for seniors. Plus, if you need a new hot water system, we'll give you $150 off. Don't let a stubborn blockage ruin your day. Contact All Needs Plumbing today and let our experts handle the job.