Never pour hot oil down your sink drain, and here’s why
Never pour hot oil down your sink drain! There are several reasons for this, which can lead to serious problems:
Clogging:
Hot oil solidifies when it cools and deposits on the walls of the pipes.
This deposit becomes thicker over time and collects other impurities (food debris, hair, etc.), which eventually causes a blockage.
Removing the blockage can be expensive and may even require replacing the pipes.
Environmental pollution:
Oil can also cause problems in wastewater treatment plants, as it is difficult to decompose.
Untreated wastewater can harm aquatic life if it enters rivers and lakes.
Pipe damage:
Hot oil can damage plastic pipes, especially if they are not heat-resistant.
Pipes can deform or even crack.
Damage to sewage pumps:
Oil can also deposit in sewage pumps, which can reduce their efficiency or even destroy them.
What can we do instead?
Let the oil cool down: Let the used oil cool down completely.
Put it in a closed container: Pour the cooled oil into a closed container (e.g. glass, plastic bottle).
Throw it in the trash: Throw the closed container in the municipal waste bin.
In case of small quantities: Small quantities of oil can also be absorbed with a paper towel and thrown in the trash.
Special collection points: Some municipalities have special collection points for used cooking oil.
In summary:
Pouring hot oil down the drain can cause serious problems, so always follow the methods mentioned above. This will not only protect your home, but also the environment.