Most homeowners already know that pouring meat drippings, butter and other greases that congeal or solidify at room temperature is a bad idea. However, what many homeowners don’t know is that even greases that remain liquid at colder temperature (such as cooking oil) can also cause significant problems in the septic system of a home equipped with one. Homeowners that have a septic system should be aware of the very serious problems that sending greases down the drain can cause.
Generally speaking, the greases in our homes can be separated into two categories – as either solid or liquid at room temperature. Solidifying greases include butter, margarine, shortening and others. Liquid grease on the other hand stays as a liquid even at very low temperatures. Baby oil and vegetable oils like sunflower oil, olive oil and canola oil are some of the most common liquid greases.
Many homeowners are familiar with the potential plumbing issues that can arise from pouring solidifying greases down the drain. These greases often cause clogs in the pipes underneath your sink, and can also do the same in pipes that are much deeper in the plumbing of your home, including those leading into your septic tank. Once there, these solidifying greases can clog up your inlet and outlet baffles, which can lead to sewage backing up into your home or flowing out into the drainfield. Needless to say, these outcomes are not desirable – but they are preventable.
Unfortunately, many septic owners mistakenly believe that flushing hot water down the drain with these greases prevents these problems from occurring. It’s true that pouring hot water down the drain with grease reduces its ability to solidify – but only for the first few seconds that it spends in your plumbing. However, while the grease may stay liquid in the immediate plumbing underneath your sink, as soon as it hits cooler temperatures, that grease will separate from the greywater and cling to the walls of your pipes. Eventually, you’ll find yourself dealing with a major plumbing and/or septic disaster – one that will likely cost thousands of dollars to fix.
Another source of pipe-clogging grease comes from the bathroom, not the kitchen. Products with ingredients that include any kind of butter (like shea butter for example) or oils are particularly problematic when they go down the drain. Coconut oil is a common ingredient in many bathroom products, from bath bombs to moisturizing creams. Making sure that you only allow minimal amounts of oils or butters to go down the drain will help prevent expensive clogs and other plumbing issues.
The experts here at VI Reel Septic & Excavation Services are able to help you with all of your septic system needs. Contact us today at info@vireel.ca or call us at 1-250-323-1010 or toll free at 1-855-962-1562 to find out more about our services and how we can help you.