The Grease Build Up Chronicles
How fat, oil and grease build up inside drains over time, and what homeowners and businesses can do to prevent it.
Fat, oil and grease are among the most common causes of blocked drains, and understanding how the build up happens is the first step to preventing it.
How grease build up happens
When hot fat or cooking oil is poured down a sink, it may flow away easily while it is still warm. As it travels through the pipework and cools, it solidifies and sticks to the inside walls of the pipe. Over time, repeated pours add more layers, gradually narrowing the pipe until water can no longer pass through freely.
Where it causes the most trouble
Kitchens are the main source, whether in a domestic home or a commercial kitchen. Restaurants, cafes and takeaways are particularly at risk because of the volume of fat and oil used daily, which is why many commercial properties benefit from a scheduled jetting and descaling routine rather than waiting for a blockage to appear.
Warning signs to watch for
Grease build up often announces itself before a full blockage occurs.
- Sinks draining more slowly than usual
- A gurgling sound from the plughole
- Unpleasant odours coming from the drain
- Grease visibly coating the inside of a plughole or trap
Clearing an existing build up
Once grease has hardened inside a pipe, pouring more hot water or washing up liquid down the drain rarely makes a lasting difference. High pressure jetting is far more effective, as it physically strips the grease from the pipe walls rather than just pushing it further along. For pipes with a heavy or long standing build up, drain descaling may also be needed to fully restore the pipe diameter.
Preventing future problems
The simplest way to avoid grease build up is to stop it entering the drain in the first place. Let fat cool and dispose of it in the bin rather than the sink, scrape plates before washing up, and consider a grease trap for commercial kitchens. If your drains are already showing signs of a build up, Rapid Drainage Services offers jetting and descaling across London and Essex, with 24 hour emergency call outs when needed. Call 020 3488 6280 or email info@rdrainage.co.uk.