The sink may seem like a convenient place to pour your oil once you’re done with it. However, while this seems quick and easy, the long-term effects can greatly damage your pipes and sewer system. So does oil clog your garbage disposal? And if so, why?
What Happens if You Pour Oil Down the Sink?
Garbage disposals aren’t trash cans, they’re designed for food scraps only. If you dispose of oil through your sink it will coat your pipes and cause clogs. Along with this, oil can harden and create a backed-up sewer system leading to expensive repairs. Pouring oil down the garbage disposal can also cause many environmental problems. Blockages caused by oil and grease can lead to sewer backups into waterways and streets and can’t be easily cleaned with drain cleaners.
How to Properly Dispose of Oil
As you can see, oil is quite troublesome if not disposed of properly. So how should you get rid of it? Sealing it in a container and letting it solidify is one way to do it. Once it cools it’s perfectly safe to throw in just a regular trash can. Oil is also used in many alternative fuels and pet food meaning that if you want to take it to a recycling center you can.
What You Should Do if You Clog Your Garbage Disposal
You may think that you can clear the blockage in your garbage disposal with a regular drain cleaner or hot water. These can actually damage your pipes further if you’re not careful. Drain cleaners are corrosive and can create wear in your pipes while hot water only serves to temporarily melt the oil causing it to harden further down in the septic system. The best remedy if you clog your garbage disposal is a natural non-corrosive method.
One option is to pour ½ a cup of white vinegar, and ½ a cup of baking soda down the drain. Once performed, you should let it fizz for about ten minutes and then pour boiling water down the drain to flush it. The safest and most effective method, however, is to call a professional. If you’re looking for a sure-fire solution then getting a septic tank cleaning service on the job is the way to go.
How Can Norway Septic Help?
Norway Septic Inc. is a service-oriented company dedicated to providing excellent septic tank cleaning and septic tank pumping services to homeowners and business owners in the Michiana area. We take pride in doing the job that others leave behind. If you need a new effluent filter or if you would like to schedule a septic tank cleaning by one of our professionals, call us today.
