Yes, cooking grease can block the main sewer line. Grease goes down the drain as a warm liquid, but it cools and hardens inside the pipe, where it sticks to the walls and traps food scraps, wipes, and other debris until the line clogs.
How Grease Builds Up
Fats, oils, and grease from cooking cling to the inside of pipes as they cool. Each time more grease goes down, another layer forms. The opening gets narrower over months or years. Eventually, the line slows down or stops completely, and wastewater can back up into the house.
Common Sources
- Bacon and sausage fat
- Oil from frying
- Butter and margarine
- Meat drippings and gravy
- Salad dressings and sauces
- Dairy products like cream
Even small amounts add up when they go down the sink every day, and the line between the house and street collects all of it.
Myths About Grease
Running hot water with grease does not wash it away. It only carries the grease further down the line before it cools and sticks. Dish soap can break grease up for a short time, but it does not stop it from building up later. Garbage disposals do not remove grease either.
Better Ways to Get Rid of Grease
Let grease cool and harden in the pan. Scrape it into a container, such as an old can or jar, and throw it in the trash. A quick wipe of each pan with a used napkin removes most of what is left. For large amounts of oil, check whether your town has a disposal program.
Watch for slow kitchen drains and gurgling toilets, which can be early signs of grease buildup.
If grease has already caused a backup, breaking up the blockage in the sewer line is the way to get things flowing again. For kitchen drain habits that protect your pipes, you can get grease-disposal tips from a plumber at (833) 603-1840.