Random fact I stumbled across today—did you guys know that pouring hot grease down your sink can actually cause these massive, gross blockages called "fatbergs"? Apparently, they can get so huge they clog entire city sewer systems. Um, ew. I always thought a little hot water would just wash it away, you know? Guess not. Makes me rethink all those lazy bacon mornings... Has anyone else heard of this or got other weird drain trivia?
Yeah, fatbergs are definitely a thing, and they're no joke. I've had to deal with a few nasty blockages in my line of work, and trust me, hot water doesn't do much to help. It might seem like it washes grease away at first, but once that stuff cools down further along in the pipes, it solidifies and sticks to everything. Over time, it builds up into these huge, gross lumps. I've seen some pretty gnarly ones—think giant blobs of grease mixed with wet wipes, hair, and who knows what else. Not exactly a fun day at work.
But honestly, it's not just grease that's the problem. A lot of people think those "flushable" wipes are fine to toss down the toilet, but they're actually a huge headache. They don't break down like toilet paper does, so they end up tangled in pipes, catching other debris and creating blockages. I've had to clear out pipes completely jammed with these wipes more times than I can count.
One thing I'd slightly disagree with though is the idea that a little grease here and there is always disastrous. If you're careful and wipe most of it out with a paper towel first, a tiny bit probably won't cause an immediate catastrophe. But still, it's better to avoid it altogether if you can. Pouring grease into an old jar or can and then tossing it in the trash is way safer for your plumbing—and your wallet.
Funny story: once I got called out to a house where the kitchen sink was backing up badly. Turned out the homeowner had been dumping leftover pancake batter down the drain regularly. It hardened into this weird concrete-like substance that took forever to clear out. So yeah, drains can be surprisingly sensitive to what goes down them...
Had a similar call once, except it was rice. Homeowner kept rinsing leftover rice down the drain—turned into a thick, gluey mess. Took forever to snake out. People underestimate how much pipes hate starch...
Rice, huh? Never woulda guessed that one. But makes sense—starchy stuff seems harmless till it isn't. Wonder if composting leftovers instead might save the pipes and help the garden... anyone tried that?
Rice is definitely sneaky like that. Another one people overlook is coffee grounds—they seem small enough, but they don't dissolve and tend to clump together, creating pretty stubborn blockages. Composting leftovers can help for sure, though greasy stuff isn't always great for compost piles either (depends on how much grease we're talking about). Usually safer to let fats solidify and toss them in the trash instead of risking a plumbing headache down the line.
