Poughkeepsie NY septic tank cleaning
There’s nothing more delicious than the smell of bacon sizzling away on the stove. After you’ve devoured a couple (or eight) slices, it’s time to clean up. You’re left pondering what to do with the greasy, oily remains in the pan. It’s tempting to turn on the tap and let the two liquids swirl down the drain together into the unknown abyss of Sewer-World. But have you ever wondered what really happens down there? It may be temporary relief with the out of sight, out of mind mentality once the oil disappears into the drain. But that temporary relief will become a terrible reality down the road. Disaster waits if this behavior becomes a pattern. We all know what a nightmare it is to have anything clogged at home. But the damage caused from grease is the kiss of death to your drain. Poughkeepsie NY septic tank cleaning services will help you tackle any septic-related problem you have.
Grease doesn’t just include the remains from bacon at breakfast. It can also include butter, margarine, lard, shortening, cooking oils, dairy products, meat fats, sauces, and food scraps. These are all things to avoid ever putting down the drain.
The science of the sink
When you pour hot grease down the drain, the grease adheres to the interior of the pipes. The go-to assumption is that running hot water down the drain in conjunction with the grease is a problem-solver. However, this is a counter-productive move. What happens is that the pipes and grease eventually cool. This will ultimately cause the grease to stick to the pipe’s surfaces. Although it may take some time, they will build up and block the pipe altogether. This can cause a daunting, no-warning overflow. That is definitely not a disaster anybody wants to deal with.
These buildups become even worse once they mix with what’s already in the sewers. This is what’s responsible for 47% of the approximately 36,000 sewer overflows that happen in the U.S., according to recent studies. Luckily, if you have a normally functioning drain system, it will take years until a serious problem presents itself. It’s that long-term, continuous accumulation of oil and grease in the pipes that will lead to problems.
How to properly get rid of grease
Prevention is the number one key to avoiding pipe-related problems. Along with prevention, there are other ways we can properly put a stop to buildup.
Pouring a quart of boiling water down the drain on a regular basis is an effective maintenance strategy. This liquefies the grease and pushes it further down the pipes. The addition of baking soda and vinegar helps break down fats (and also makes it smell better). Pouring a little bit of ammonia down the drain to help dispose of extra grease is also helpful.
Allow grease to cool in the pan. After it cools, it will harden. At this point, you can scrape out the hardened bits into the trash. Simply wipe away the rest of the remains in the pan with a paper towel. Now you can wash the pan with ease and without worry of clogging your drain with leftover grease. You can also pour the grease into a container to cool. Store it in the freezer or fridge, and then once it hardens, toss it to the trash.
Damage Control
Another reason we’re damaging our drains on a daily basis is because the majority of us use animal or vegetable fat-based soaps. Using this kind of soap can contribute to clogged drains. However, fat free soaps are available for purchase, usually at natural health food stores.
It’s tempting to every once in awhile allow that little bit of oil to drizzle down the drain. But just remember that although it may seem like an insignificant amount, those little bits of grease will eventually add up. To avoid any septic-related issues now or in the future, Poughkeepsie NY septic tank cleaning services is here to help. Call us at Jones Septic Services today at (845) 452-1123 to assist you with any problem you have. Our 24/7 service, reasonable rates, and knowledgeable staff make us second-to-none in upstate New York.
