The holidays are all about family, food, and festivities. But behind every delicious dish lies a hidden danger to your plumbing: fats, oils, and grease – also known as FOG.
Every year, hundreds of Metro Atlanta homeowners may experience the dreaded slow drains, backups and smells caused by FOG buildup. When poured down the drain or run through the garbage disposal, FOG cools, hardens, and clogs pipes – leading to backups and costly damage. The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District wants to help you protect your pipes this holiday season and reduce the risk of spending hundreds on a plumber.
Where does FOG come from and what problems does it cause?
- Fats, oils and grease come from the delicious food we prepare each day.
- When improperly disposed of down the drain or garbage disposal, they make their way to your home’s pipes as well as the larger sewer system pipes.
- They can cause buildup and backups within your home, which often require a plumber to fix.
- FOG also builds up in city sewer systems, which can cause larger backups and system-wide issues.
Top 5 Sources of FOG in the Kitchen
- Cooking oils – fry oil, olive oil
- Meat fats – turkey drippings, bacon grease, beef tallow
- Dairy products – butter on bread, whipped cream or ice cream, and mac & cheese
- Gravies and sauces – anything mayo-based, made with meat fats (like gravy), or cream-based sauces
- Food scraps – salad dressings, dairy or oil-based dips, crumbs and little bits of food that don’t make it to the trash can
Remember to “Cool it, Can it, Scrape it, and Trash it”
- Pour cooled fats into an empty can, not the sink
- Wipe greasy plates and pans with a paper towel before washing
- Scrape leftover food off dishes into the trash
- Use sink strainers to catch food scraps and keep them out of drains (even if you have a garbage disposal!)
Have a Septic System? Your impact is the same!
- FOGs do not break down easily by bacteria in your tank. They tend to float on top.
- Excess FOGs form a thick grease layer at the top of your tank, reducing capacity and leading to premature overflows.
- Grease can clog drain field pipes and soil, leading to costly backups and system failure.
Don’t Forget these Water-Saving Tips!
- Scrape plates into the trash instead of rinsing
- Run full dishwasher and laundry loads
- Install low-flow aerators on faucets
This holiday season, give your pipes a break. Keep FOG out of your drains and protect your home from avoidable repairs. A little care now can prevent a holiday disaster later.
For more tips, visit northgeorgiawater.org or contact your water provider.