05/04/2026
Grease buildup in a sewer line is one of the most common causes of clogs we see in septic and plumbing systems. It doesn’t just come from “pouring grease down the sink” — a lot of everyday habits quietly add up.
Here are the biggest culprits:
🍳 Cooking Grease & Oils
* Bacon grease, hamburger grease, frying oil
* Butter, margarine, lard, shortening
* Salad dressings and marinades poured down the drain
Even if it goes down hot and liquid, it cools, hardens, and sticks inside the pipe.
🍽️ Food Residue from Dishes
* Plates and pans rinsed without wiping first
* Sauces, gravies, cheese, sour cream
* Peanut butter, mayonnaise, frosting
These are loaded with fats that cling to pipe walls.
🧼 Soap & Detergent (Most people don’t realize this)
Soaps combine with grease and minerals in water to form a thick, waxy substance called soap scum that helps grease stick even harder inside pipes.
🗑️ Garbage Disposal Use
Grinding food doesn’t remove grease — it chops it into tiny pieces that stick to pipes faster and farther down the line.
🥛 Dairy Products
* Milk, cream, yogurt
* Ice cream melted in the sink
Dairy is high in fat and contributes to buildup.
🧻 “Rinsing” Instead of Scraping
Letting food wash off in the sink instead of scraping into the trash adds daily grease to the line.
🧴 Non-Food Grease Sources
* Cosmetic creams and lotions washed off hands
* Oily hair products
* Some cleaning products with oils
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What Happens in the Pipe
Grease sticks → catches food → catches wipes/hair → turns into a thick sludge wall → leads to slow drains, backups, and full clogs.
This is why grease clogs are often found 10–30 feet down the line, not right under the sink.
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‼️Quick Prevention Tips‼️
* Wipe pans with a paper towel before washing
* Pour grease into a can, not the sink
* Use sink strainers
* Limit garbage disposal use
