What is F.O.G.?
We all know what Thanksgiving means. Family, togetherness, and lots of food. Fat, Oil, and Grease clogs are byproducts of cooking. Some of the most detrimental to household plumbing and to the system as a whole are F.O.G. clogs. These clogs are extremely damaging to pipes and pump stations, sometimes costing thousands of dollars.
Fat: Peanut butter, shortening. meat trimmings, uncooked poultry skin, dairy such as milk, sour cream, ice cream. All fats are solid at room temperature.
Oil: Vegetable oils, salad dressings, cooking oils are typically liquid at room temperature
Grease: Gravy, mayonnaise, melted meat fat such as bacon grease, boiled poultry skin. Typically liquid when cooking then solidifies when cooled.
How does it affect my pipes?
As it goes down the drain, the F.O.G. builds up in the pipes and restricts the amount of waste flow water that can leave the home. This can result in sewer pipes backing up, and untreated sewage can overflow into your home, business, or into the environment. If overflown into the environment, F.O.G. clogs can lead to contaminated waterways and cause public health hazards. This raw sewage carries a variety of bacteria that has a negative impact on human health, fish and wildlife. This all falls back onto the community for costly repairs, removing blockages, or pickup of hazardous waste.
What can I do?
- Let the Fat, oil, or grease cool in the pan
- If it’s a small amount, Scrape it into the trash using paper towels to wipe out excess grease.
- Wash pots and pans in the sink as usual.
- For large amounts pour into a sealable can or bottle then dispose at a local recycle center.
- Use strainers in the sink to catch scraps and other solids.
- Solutions like Oil-Dri Absorbent Clay® or cat litter can assist in capturing and drying out oil, fat and grease, thus making it safe to throw in the trash.
- Please remember hot water and soap DO NOT eliminate F.O.G. because it will eventually reform in pipes.
- Save and dispose of it at a hazardous waste facility. Click here for Harris County hazardous waste disposal.
Please remember this Thanksgiving to dispose of Fat, Oil, and Grease properly as to not damage your property or the district’s infrastructure! Thanksgiving and Christmas are the two times of year that F.O.G. clogs create the most problems for districts due to all the heavy cooking and frying turkeys. Follow the steps above to keep F.O.G out of the pipes!