Time to unclog your brain and see how much you know about clogs. No, not the kind you wear on your feet. The kind that stop up pipes and send you dialing your favorite local plumbers such as The Gentlemen Plumbers.
Question #1: What causes a very large number of clogs?
Answer #1: FOG. No, not the fine mist during early morning. FOG is an acronym for fats, oils, and grease. FOG that slithers down the drain tends to clump up into grease balls. Over time, these grease balls grow, blocking the flow of water.
Question #2: How problematic are grease clogs?
Answer #2: Quite! - least of which is the fact that your sink is full of water. According to a U.S. government organization, clogged pipes can cause “sewer backups and spills, creating environmental problems, traffic tie-ups, or even flooded homes and businesses”.
For many shoppers, Black Friday is bargain day. For many plumbers, Black Friday (the day after a Thanksgiving feast associated with lots of cooking grease) is clog day. An article in The Washington Post reported that on Black Friday, there is a 50% increase in service calls to experts like The Gentlemen Plumbers to handle grease-related problems such as “clogged sinks, overflowing toilets, and seeping drains”.
Question #3: So, what's to be done?
Answer #3: Preventing grease-related clogs is actually very simple. Here are some useful ideas:
- Can it, Cool it, Throw it away. Get into the habit of keeping a metal can handy. Drain the FOG into the can. Once cool, throw the FOG into the trash can.
- After draining off the oil, wipe the greasy pan or pot with a paper towel or piece of newspaper. Throw the oily “rag” into the garbage can. Then wash the pot or pan.
- Maintain the health of your drains and pipes with the following “tonic”: ½ cup of baking soda with a chaser of ½ cup of white vinegar. Allow the drains and pipes to enjoy for 10-15 minutes. Then top off with a hot water rinse.
Of course, there are other big clog-causers. Hair down the drain is one of them. While it is possible to reduce the occurrence of clogs, it is comforting to know that if things get stopped up, The Gentlemen Plumbers and other reputable firms are there.