Stubborn Grease
Stubborn Grease | Drain Opening | Plumbing | Oak Ridge
When relentless grease turns your kitchen sink into a swamp and every DIY trick has failed, Oak Ridge homeowners know it’s time to call in the pros at HEP. Our licensed plumbers arrive fast, armed with powerful hydro-jetters and grease-busting enzymes that clear clogs without damaging your pipes or the environment. With transparent, up-front pricing and technicians who respect your home as much as you do, we make stubborn blockages a thing of the past.
From a midnight emergency to routine maintenance, HEP delivers peace of mind with 24/7 availability, courteous service, and a rock-solid satisfaction guarantee. One call unlocks expert troubleshooting, video inspections, and precision drain opening solutions that keep water—and life—flowing smoothly again. Discover why your Oak Ridge neighbors trust HEP to outsmart grease, protect their plumbing, and leave every sink spotless and ready for the next big family meal.
FAQs
Why do kitchen drains in Oak Ridge homes often become clogged with grease?
Even small amounts of cooking oil, animal fat, butter, or gravy poured down the sink can coat the inside of your drain lines. Over time the grease cools, hardens, and traps food particles, coffee grounds, and soap scum. The mix turns into a thick sludge that restricts water flow. Oak Ridge has many older homes with cast-iron or smaller-diameter drain pipes that make it easier for this residue to build up, so grease blockages are especially common here.
What signs indicate a grease blockage in my drain?
Typical warning signs include slow-draining sinks, gurgling sounds when water goes down, foul or rancid odors coming from the drain, and water backing up in other fixtures (for example, the dishwasher or washing machine). If hot water briefly improves the flow but the problem returns once the water cools, that is a strong indicator that grease is the culprit.
Can I clear a grease clog myself or should I call a professional plumber?
Pouring boiling water mixed with dish soap can soften a very light grease film, but it rarely works on a stubborn or long-standing clog. Chemical drain cleaners may offer temporary relief but often push the grease deeper or damage older pipes. If you notice recurring slow drains, standing water, or odor, it is safer and more cost-effective to call a licensed Oak Ridge plumber who has the right equipment to fully remove the buildup without harming your plumbing.
What techniques do your Oak Ridge plumbers use to remove stubborn grease clogs?
We start with a video camera inspection to locate the exact blockage. For moderate clogs we use professional-grade augers (drain snakes) with specialized cutter heads that scrape grease off pipe walls. For heavy, hardened blockages we employ hydro-jetting, which sends a high-pressure stream of water (up to 4,000 PSI) through the line to emulsify grease and flush it out of the system. Afterward we run the camera again to confirm the pipe is completely clear.
How can I prevent grease build-up in my drains in the future?
1) Never pour liquid grease or cooking oil down the sink—let it cool in a container and dispose of it in the trash. 2) Wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before washing. 3) Use a sink strainer to catch food scraps. 4) Run hot water with a small amount of dish soap for 30 seconds after washing particularly greasy dishes. 5) Schedule routine preventative maintenance—an annual camera inspection and, if needed, hydro-jetting keeps pipes clear and extends their lifespan.
Is professional grease drain cleaning expensive and how long does the service take?
For a single kitchen drain, simple snaking typically costs less than a standard service call and can be completed in under an hour. More severe grease clogs that require hydro-jetting and camera inspection are higher in price but usually still fall well below the cost of emergency pipe repairs or water damage restoration. Most residential jobs in Oak Ridge are finished the same day, letting you get back to normal kitchen use quickly.