What Is FOG?

What is FOG? FOG is simply an acronym for the fats, oils, and greases that enter your plumbing system. These underestimated substances can build up over time and wreak havoc on your plumbing. If you find yourself constantly battling drainage problems, particularly in your kitchen sink, you may be fighting FOG. Educating yourself can help you prevent FOG from causing major damage to your home as well as to the environment.

Where Does FOG Come from?

Fats, oils and greases are a natural by-product of cooking and food preparation. They are found in many food products including shortening, butter, margarine, dairy products, baked goods, eggs, dressings, sauces, coffee, meats, food scraps, and more. Washing dishes that once held these products and running FOG-ridden items through your garbage disposal can all contribute to FOG buildup.

FOG’s Effects on Plumbing & Sewers

FOG can clog plumbing pipes and sewer systems similar to the way cholesterol clogs your arteries. Fats, oils and greases are insoluble in water. Dish soaps won’t help. Worse, as FOG cools, it floats on the surface of sewer fluids and solidifies on pipes. As a result, pipes may need to be cleaned more frequently or replaced sooner, before they become completely blocked and cause a sewage backup into your home or overflow onto streets. When FOG causes plumbing problems such as these, contact your local Mr. Rooter® plumber for plumbing repair services.

How to Properly Handle FOG

You can help protect both Mother Nature and your home environment by properly disposing of fats, oils and greases, which will also prevent sewage overflow from contaminating waterways and your home.

Follow these steps to ensure FOG-free plumbing:

• Caution: Never pour FOG down the sink—even disposals cannot properly handle fats, oils and greases. Use a sink strainer, disposing of as much food as possible in the trash.
• Contain: Save FOG, such as bacon grease and meat drippings, in containers with lids where they can harden and congeal for recycling or disposal in the garbage. Used glass jars, large yogurt containers, and coffee cans are great for this.
• Pre-clean: Scrape greasy pans and dishes into the garbage or compost. Wipe them with a paper towel or newspaper before washing in your sink or dishwasher.
• Dispose and recycle: Composting bins and recycling drop-offs are great places to dispose of FOG. They can be recycled into biofuels or re-used in the form of gardening compost. Check with your city for solid waste disposal programs that accept used cooking oil.

Affordable Plumbing Solutions Just a Phone Call Away

Has FOG gotten the best of your plumbing system? Don’t hesitate to contact Mr. Rooter for seasoned plumbing professionals who can come take a look at your home or commercial property. We offer free, in-home estimates and provide upfront pricing for all of our services. With 24/7 availability, we can address your emergencies at any time with no additional charges.