Grease Build-ups
Grease Build-ups | Drain Opening | Plumbing | Fountain City
Grease from daily cooking can silently coat the inside of your pipes, turning minor slowdowns into stubborn blockages. HEP’s licensed plumbers in Fountain City specialize in fast, mess-free drain opening that breaks through those greasy layers without harming your plumbing or the environment. Using professional-grade equipment and enzyme-based treatments, we restore full flow while helping prevent future clogs.
Whether your kitchen sink is burbling ominously or a restaurant prep-sink has ground to a halt, our team is on call 24/7 with transparent pricing and a satisfaction guarantee. Trust HEP to clear away the grease, keep your water moving, and leave your Fountain City home or business cleaner than we found it—so you can get back to cooking, cleaning, and living without worry.
FAQs
What causes grease build-ups in Fountain City drains?
Grease build-ups start when fats, oils, and food scraps are washed down sinks. As the warm grease cools in the pipe it solidifies and sticks to the pipe walls. Over time additional grease, soap scum, coffee grounds, and other debris cling to the sticky layer, narrowing the pipe until water flow is severely restricted or stopped altogether. Restaurants and homes that use a garbage disposal without flushing with plenty of hot water are especially prone to this problem.
How can I tell if my drain is clogged specifically by grease?
Grease blockages generally produce tell-tale symptoms: (1) slow drainage that gets progressively worse, especially after washing dishes; (2) a gurgling or "glug-glug" sound as trapped air tries to pass the partial clog; (3) foul, rancid odors resembling spoiled food coming from the drain; and (4) recurring clogs that briefly clear with plunging but return quickly. If you experience two or more of these signs, chances are high that a grease layer is restricting your line.
Can’t I just pour a chemical drain cleaner down the sink?
Store-bought chemical cleaners often fail on grease because they are designed to dissolve hair and soap, not thick fatty deposits. The harsh chemicals can also warp PVC pipes, corrode older metal plumbing, and kill the good bacteria in a septic system. In Fountain City, our municipal code discourages frequent chemical use due to potential groundwater contamination. A professional mechanical or hydro-jet solution is safer, more effective, and usually less expensive than repairing pipe damage later.
What techniques do you use to open a grease-clogged drain?
We start with a video camera inspection to locate the blockage and assess pipe condition. For minor build-ups we may use a professional-grade cable auger (drain snake) to scrape and pull out the grease. In most cases we recommend hydro-jetting: a high-pressure water stream (3,500–4,000 psi) that scours the entire pipe circumference, removing grease, scale, and food residue. After clearing, we run the camera again to verify full flow. All equipment is truck-mounted and safe for residential and commercial pipes.
How long does service take and what will it cost?
A standard residential grease clog inside the house typically takes 60–90 minutes from arrival to clean-up. Main sewer line blockages or heavily compacted grease in restaurant laterals can take 2–3 hours. For Fountain City homes, prices start around $125 for a simple kitchen drain auger and range up to $325–$425 for full sewer hydro-jetting with camera inspection. We provide a firm, written quote before work begins, and we waive the diagnostic fee if you approve the repair.
What can I do to keep grease from clogging my drains again?
• Collect cooking grease in a heat-resistant container, let it solidify, and dispose of it in the trash—never in the sink. • Wipe greasy pots and plates with a paper towel before rinsing. • Run hot water and a small amount of dish detergent down the drain after washing dishes to help disperse residual fats. • Install a mesh sink strainer to catch food particles. • For restaurants and commercial kitchens, maintain grease traps per Fountain City regulations and schedule quarterly professional pump-outs. • Consider an annual preventive hydro-jetting service; many of our local clients schedule it each spring before peak cookout season.