You just finished cooking a delicious bacon breakfast or a sizzling stir-fry. You’re cleaning up, and there’s a pan full of hot grease. The easiest option? Pour it down the sink.
Stop right there.
If you’re a homeowner in Lakewood, Colorado, pouring grease down the drain might seem harmless, but it’s one of the leading causes of severe plumbing issues—clogs, backups, and even pipe damage. At A Clear Choice Plumbing and Heating, our clogged drain plumber in Lakewood Colorado have seen it all, and here to explain why this small mistake could lead to big trouble.
Why Grease Is Your Drain’s Worst Enemy
Grease doesn’t just wash away. When hot, it may seem like a liquid, but as it cools inside your pipes, it solidifies, clinging to the pipe walls. Over time, this builds up and traps food particles, soap scum, and debris—eventually causing a full blockage.
Here’s what happens next:
- Slow-draining sinks that only get worse.
It usually starts subtly—your sink drains just a bit slower than usual. You think it’s no big deal. But what’s really happening behind the scenes is that grease is clinging to the walls of your pipes, narrowing the passageway little by little. Every time you pour more grease, food particles or coffee grounds down the drain, they stick to that sticky, fatty coating.
Over time:
- Water struggles to pass through.
- Gurgling sounds begin as air pockets form.
- You start noticing standing water in your sink after washing dishes.
In neighborhoods of Lakewood Colorado, older homes are particularly vulnerable to grease buildup because their pipes are already narrower due to age and wear. Without intervention of clogged drain plumber in Lakewood Colorado, that slow drain turns into a full blockage.
- Sewer line backups—a messy, smelly, and expensive problem.
Grease doesn’t just clog your kitchen sink. If the buildup reaches the main sewer line, it can block the entire household plumbing system. This results in:
- Wastewater backing up into sinks, tubs, or even floor drains.
- Sewage odors invading your home.
- Risk of water damage and contamination in lower levels or basements.
Lakewood’s tree-lined neighborhoods often feature mature root systems that already put pressure on sewer lines. Add grease to the mix, and you’ve got the perfect storm for a backup. If you’ve ever seen sewage bubble up from your tub drain or floor grate—it’s almost always because of a sewer line obstruction, often involving grease.
- Costly repairs requiring professional intervention from a clogged drain plumber in Lakewood Colorado.
DIY fixes won’t cut it here. Grease blockages deep in your plumbing system require professional-grade equipment and expertise. At A Clear Choice Plumbing and Heating, our clogged drain plumber in Lakewood Colorado have seen clogs so severe that we had to:
- Use hydro jetting to blast away hardened grease.
- Conduct video camera inspections to locate blockages within underground pipes.
- Replace damaged or collapsed sections of the main line.
These services are effective—but they can also be costly, especially if damage has spread. Homeowners in Lakewood, often face the added expense of repairing vintage cast iron pipes that are more sensitive to grease buildup.
So, what could have been solved by tossing grease in the trash ends up requiring a licensed clogged drain plumber in Lakewood Colorado, complete with service calls, part replacements, and sometimes excavation.
- Environmental harm when clogs contribute to fatbergs in city sewer systems. What most people don’t realize is that your drain connects to Lakewood’s public sewer system. When grease doesn’t clog your home plumbing, it continues down the line, collecting and solidifying with fats, oils, and other waste into something truly nasty a fatberg.
Fatbergs are huge, solid masses made up of:
- Grease
- Hair
- Soap scum
- Trash items like wet wipes or paper towels
These monsters:
- Block municipal sewer lines, causing system-wide backups.
- Require city crews to remove them—costing thousands in taxpayer dollars.
- Can lead to raw sewage spills into local waterways like Bear Creek or Lakewood Gulch, damaging the environment.
By avoiding grease dumping at home, Lakewood residents help keep the entire community’s plumbing system cleaner, safer, and more sustainable.
Lakewood homes, especially older ones in neighborhoods like Green Mountain and Applewood, are more susceptible due to aged pipe infrastructure, making grease a real threat to plumbing health.
Common Myths About Grease Disposal – Busted
Let’s clear up some misconceptions:
- “I run hot water with the grease.”
Hot water doesn’t stop grease from solidifying later down the line. - “Dish soap breaks down the grease.”
Dish soap only masks the problem; the grease still congeals deeper in your system. - “It’s just a little bit—it won’t hurt.”
It adds up. Even small amounts repeatedly can cause blockages.
What to Do With Grease Instead – Lakewood Homeowner’s Guide
Plumbing prevention starts with proper disposal. Here’s how to safely handle cooking grease:
1. Let It Cool, Then Trash It
- Pour grease into a heat-safe container (like an empty soup can).
- Once solid, toss it in the trash.
2. Wipe Before You Wash
- Use paper towels to wipe greasy pans before washing to reduce residue going down the drain.
3. Designate a Grease Jar
- Keep a mason jar or tin labeled “grease waste” under your sink.
4. Utilize Lakewood’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility
- For larger quantities, there are several recycling center accepts cooking oil and grease for eco-friendly disposal.
When the Damage Is Done: Call a Clogged Drain Plumber in Lakewood Colorado
If you’re already dealing with slow drains, recurring clogs, or a backed-up kitchen sink, it’s time to bring in a professional. A Clear Choice Plumbing and Heating is your trusted clogged drain plumber in Lakewood Colorado, offering fast, affordable, and thorough drain cleaning services.
Our Services Include:
- Video pipe inspection
- Hydro jetting for deep blockages
- Preventive drain maintenance
- Emergency plumbing repairs
We’ve helped hundreds of Lakewood residents—whether in Belmar, Addenbrooke Park, or Kendrick Lake—keep their homes clog-free and plumbing systems healthy.
Proactive Tips to Keep Your Drains Healthy
- Use drain screens to catch food scraps
- Flush your drains weekly with boiling water and vinegar
- Avoid chemical drain cleaners—they can corrode your pipes
- Schedule annual plumbing maintenance with a professional