Woman stirring a pot on a gas stove at home

Primer: what the sink cannot digest

Keeping Grease Out of Kitchen Drains

Cooking grease pours easily when it is hot, but it cools and hardens in your pipes. Over time it builds a sticky layer that catches food scraps until the kitchen sink stops draining.

Plain steps you can do yourself, safely
Clear signs for when to stop and call
Written for Newmarket houses and water
A plumber on the phone if it goes sideways

What goes wrong in the pipes

Fats, oils and grease are among the most common causes of kitchen drain clogs. They also contribute to blockages in the municipal sewer system, which can lead to backups for whole streets. In older homes with narrow or rough drain lines, buildup happens even faster. Prevention is easy and cheap compared with a service call.

Holiday cooking is when we see the worst of it. A turkey roasting pan, a few batches of gravy and a sink full of greasy dishes can turn a sluggish drain into a full stop overnight, usually with a houseful of guests watching. Butter, salad dressing, mayonnaise and coconut oil behave the same way, even though they feel harmless.

Have these on hand

Flange plunger
Cup plunger
Bucket
Rubber gloves

Hands-on steps

Let it cool and solidify. Pour bacon fat or pan grease into a can or jar and let it harden.
Throw it in the green bin or garbage. Check York Region and Town of Newmarket guidance for current disposal rules; small amounts of food-soiled paper and fats are commonly accepted in the green bin.
Wipe pans before washing. Use a paper towel to wipe greasy pans and plates before they go in the sink or dishwasher.
Use a strainer. A basket strainer catches food scraps that would otherwise stick to grease in the pipe.
Run hot water after use. It helps move small amounts of residue along, though it is no substitute for keeping grease out.
Watch the disposal. Garbage disposals do not break down grease. Avoid putting fats, rice, pasta and fibrous peels through them.

Mistakes that turn a small repair big

Washing grease down with hot water. It moves the grease further into the pipe, where it cools and hardens.
Relying on dish soap. Soap breaks up grease temporarily, but it can re-form downstream.
Using harsh chemical openers. They can damage pipes and seldom clear a full grease blockage.
Ignoring slow drains. A sink that drains slowly is a warning sign. It is cheaper to clear early.

When to put the tools down and call

Call when the kitchen sink drains slowly despite cleaning the trap, when water backs up into the other basin, or when you hear gurgling. If several drains are slow, the blockage may be further down, past the point where a household plunger can help. Ring (365) 517-0623 to book. We also handle garbage disposal service and toilet repair. For catching hidden leaks, our guide to the water meter leak check is a handy companion.

Keeping grease out of the drain is a small habit, but it protects your kitchen and the town's sewers at the same time.

Asked on site

Is it okay to pour a little oil down the sink?

Even small amounts add up. It is better to wipe pans and put grease in the green bin or garbage.

Do enzyme drain cleaners help?

They can help with maintenance in some cases, but they do not replace keeping grease out of the drain.