If you’re tasked with cooking at home, you may wonder what to do with leftover grease and fats. These substances can damage septic tanks when they’re dumped down the drain, which is a common practice. The following explains the type of damage that can occur, as well as alternatives to disposing cooking grease.

What Happens When Grease is Dumped Down the Drain

Fats, oils, and grease are all denser than water. In a septic tank, these substances will combine to form a tough layer on top of the water, which prevents the tank from functioning normally. Eventually, your tank will back up into the surrounding drain field and may even cause clogs within the home.

When disposing of cooking oil, it’s best to deposit it into the trash as opposed to letting it run down the drain. Just make sure you allow oils and fats to cool before throwing them away, as this could cause holes to form in trash bags. You can also save and reuse fats for preparing future meals.

Other Items That Shouldn’t Be Flushed Down the Drain

Coffee grounds can also clog drains, so be cautious about washing out your coffee pot in the sink. You should also refrain from pouring harsh household chemicals, such as chlorine bleach, down the drain, as these may cause corrosion over time. Also, keep pasta, flour, egg shells, and bones out of garbage disposals.  

The team at P & H Septic Service LLC in New London County, CT, help homeowners address problems with their septic tanks. They offer repair and installation of septic systems for residential properties as well as commercial structures. They offer septic design services, grease trap pumping, drain cleaning, and septic tank repairs. Take advantage of more than 30 years of experience by calling (860) 848-8507. If you want more information on available services, visit their website.