Protect Your Pipes: Stop Thanksgiving FOG from Causing a Holiday Clog

The holiday prep is on! As you tackle your enormous to-do list for hosting, cooking, and making that elaborate family meal, there’s one major chore that can turn a joyous celebration into a plumbing disaster – clean-up.

Regardless of your holiday menu, it’s crucial to be sewer-savvy to ensure your stretchy pants are reserved for relaxation, not plunging emergencies. The biggest threat to your drains is FOG (Fats, Oils, and Grease).

FOG Clogs Start at the Sink

Whether it’s the large volume of oil used to deep-fry a turkey, or the small amounts from gravy, buttery potatoes, or even leftover pie, no grease should ever go down your drain.

When hot FOG enters your pipes, it might seem like it disappears, but the hot water from your tap or dishwasher only moves the problem. Once that grease cools, it solidifies. It clings to the inside walls of your home’s plumbing and the city’s main sewer pipes. Over time, this buildup causes clogs, backups, and unnecessary damage—contaminants you certainly don't want to deal with over the holidays!

Remember, water that goes down your drain travels through the sewer system to a treatment plant, where it is cleaned and reused. When FOG is present, it makes this vital wastewater processing far more difficult and expensive for everyone.

Keep the Pipes Moving: A Quick How-To

To keep your home and neighborhood drains flowing smoothly, follow these simple steps to keep FOG out of the system:

• Scrape and Wipe: Before washing, scrape all food from plates directly into the trash (not the garbage disposal). Use a paper towel to wipe down greasy plates, pots, and pans before placing them in the sink or dishwasher.
• Contain and Dispose: For liquid cooking oils and large amounts of grease, allow them to cool, then pour the liquid into a small container (such as an old coffee can). Mix it with an absorbent material, like coffee grounds, and dispose of the sealed container in the trash.
• Use Strainers: Cover your kitchen sink drain with a strainer to prevent small food particles from entering your pipes.
• Reuse Fats: Filter and reuse large amounts of deep-frying oil, or refrigerate and reuse fat for cooking later!
• Limit Disposals: Garbage disposals only shred solids; they don't prevent grease from building up. Use them sparingly.

The Bathroom Backup

With a house full of company, your bathroom will also see an increase in traffic. It’s important to remind guests that the toilet is not a trash can.

The only acceptable items to flush are human waste and toilet paper. Items like wipes (even if labeled "flushable"), paper towels, facial tissues, cotton balls, or dental floss do not break down. They cause clogs and tangle up other debris, leading to massive backups.

By taking a few extra moments to prevent unneeded strain on your drains, you can avoid the headache and expense of an unplanned plumber visit—not just on Thanksgiving, but all year long. A clean and properly functioning sewer system benefits everyone!

For 56 years, the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association has worked to protect our member cities' ability to provide assured, safe, and sustainable water supplies to their communities. For more water information, visit www.amwua.org .