Unclog Kitchen Pipes: 9 Grease Busting Hacks
Is your kitchen sink draining slower than ever thanks to built up grease? Don't resort to harsh chemicals yet!
Getting rid of grease in drains is easier than you think if you use the right DIY drain cleaning methods. From boiling water treatments to mechanical removal, I'll explain several handy techniques to clear the nastiest clogs.
What Causes Grease to Clog Drains?
Grease finds its way into our drain lines from oil-based products and food scraps used in cooking and cleaning. Butter, bacon fat, cooking oil, dairy, and meal leftovers are prime culprits.
As grease flows down the drain, it sticks to the inside of pipes and hardens over time. The grease both accumulates and catches other debris floating by, gradually forming clogs.
Most Vulnerable Fixtures
Kitchen sinks bear the brunt of greasy buildup. However, bathroom drains also frequently clog from showering products. Floor drains occasionally get hit too if grease is poured outside.
Prevention Tips
Stopping clogs before they start is ideal. Here are some habits to avoid plumbing disasters:
- Never pour fats, oils or scraps down drains
- Dry wipe greasy plates with paper towels first
- Use mesh strainers in sinks to catch food particles
Removing Minor Grease Clogs
Small clogs often dissolve using simple homemade drain cleaners and tools you likely already own.
Boiling Water
Boiling hot water can melt grease off pipes. Slowly pour down drain, let sit 5 minutes, then flush with cool water. Repeat as needed.
Avoid on PVC pipes as extreme heat can distort plastic. Also, allow drains to fully cool to avoid burns.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
These household staples generate expanding foam bubbles that dislodge gunk. Mix 1 cup each baking soda and white vinegar and add to drain. After 15 minutes, rinse with hot tap water.
I like to boil water first for extra impact against stubborn grease. The hot water softens the sludge so the foaming cleaner can penetrate deeper and speed things along.
Mechanical Cleaning
| Method | Process |
|---|---|
| Plunger | Plunge up and down rapidly to loosen clog, finishing with a hot water chaser |
| Drain Snake | Feed wire coil down drain and rotate to scrub pipes clean |
Ensure sink/tub is partially filled with water before attempting to get best suction. Repeat as needed until water flows freely.
Removing Stubborn Drain Clogs
For more extreme grease obstructions, up your arsenal with commercial cleaners or mechanical power.
Store-Bought Drain Cleaners
Look for an enzyme-based or microbial drain degreaser made specifically for breaking down organics. Avoid harsh acid or alkaline chemicals not designed for plastic pipes.
Powerful Plunging
Dual sink plungers can boost plunging power for stuck sludge. As one loosens, the other provides downward force. Take care to fully block second drain's overflow opening.
Electric Drain Snakes
A motorized auger snake feeds deeper through curves to reach farther clogs manual cranking cannot. Ensure your model suits pipe diameter to avoid scratching.
Signs It's Time to Call a Pro
While I'm always eager to problem solve home repairs myself, certain red flags indicate getting an expert assessment of your pipes.
Foul Sewage Smells
Bad odors from drains often mean septic leaks or broken grease traps. Leave plumbing work related to wastewater lines or sewer connections to the pros.
Multiple Clogged Drains
If all sinks plus tubs back up, grease has likely traveled between shared pipes out of DIY cleaning range.
Clogs Return Quickly
If snaking provides only temporary relief before greasy slime re-blocks everything, an underlying issue needs diagnosis.
Professional Drain Cleaning Methods
Commercial Roto-Rooter plumbers have industrial strength tools to annihilate disaster drains.
Inspection
Technicians identify clog locations using fiber optic drain cameras. Precision cleaning follows.
High-Pressure Jetting
Truck-mounted hydrojetters blast high velocity water streams through pipes to scour interiors spotless.
Chemical Degreasing
After loosening grease mechanically, caustic solvents dissolve remaining films.
FAQs
Will boiling water crack PVC pipes?
Yes, it can. Allow very hot water to cool down significantly before pouring slowly. Hot tap water is gentler but still effective.
Can I use salt with baking soda and vinegar?
Definitely. The abrasive salt scrubs particles while the foam dissolves grease. Just be mindful of pouring any gritty mixtures into a garbage disposal.
Skip amateur repairs if you suspect pipe leaks, root invasion, or septic connections. Damaged plumbing and wastewater systems are best managed by licensed professionals.
Unclogging drains on your own is deeply gratifying and saves money too. With a mix of methods like boiling water, enzyme cleaners, plungers and snakes, you can win the battle against greasy pipe residue. Just know when to call in the experts if problems persist or involve complex pipework.