Stress less when it comes to keeping your sewer pipes clog-free during the holiday season by following Ben Franklin’s age-old advice: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Planning ahead to keep food particles and cooking fats out of your sewer pipes can be as easy as 1, 2, 3.
1. Wipe out, rinse, and save large cans or glass jars ahead of time to pour and store cooking oils and fats during your holiday food preparation.
2. Keep a large bowl next to the sink to collect food scraps and use sink strainers, then toss the scraps in the trash.
3. Don’t forget: gravies, sauces, dressings, and many desserts are fats, oils, and grease (FOG) contributors, so dry-wipe cooking pans and dishes before washing them.
These simple tips will help you avoid unsightly sewer backups and costly emergency plumbing bills during the busy holidays.
If you are frying your turkey or ham this year, after cooking, allow the fryer oil to cool and return it to the original container then toss it in the trash or recycle it. Click here to find a drop-off location near you. This will prevent it from harming the environment and keep your pipes flowing freely.
This article was contributed by Katherine Nixon, P.E. from the City of Virginia Beach Department of Public Utilities.