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Holiday Cooking Grease: A Top Cause of January Drain Calls

  Holiday Cooking Grease: A Top Cause of January Drain Calls January drain service calls often spike after the holiday season, and one culprit rises above the rest: cooking grease. While it may look harmless as it goes down the sink, grease can cool, solidify, and build up inside pipes, narrowing the flow until clogs form.   During holiday cooking, families use more oils, gravies, frying fats, and pan drippings than usual—then wash the residue away with hot water or dish soap. That combination can move grease through plumbing briefly, but it typically coats interior pipe surfaces and creates a sticky base for other debris to collect.   Why grease leads to backups   Unlike water, grease doesn’t reliably stay “in suspension.” As it travels downstream, it cools and adheres to pipe walls. Over time, it traps food particles and other household waste, producing thick blockages that can restrict drainage, trigger slow sinks, and in worst cases cau ... Read more »
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How Often Should You Schedule Main Line Rodding?

 How Often Should You Schedule Main Line Rodding?

How Often Should You Schedule Main Line Rodding?


Maintaining a clear main sewer line is essential for preventing backups and protecting your home's plumbing. The frequency of main line rodding depends on several factors, including your home’s age, tree roots in the area, past clog history, and the local sewer system conditions. In general, many homeowners schedule preventive rodding every 3–5 years, but adjustments may be necessary based on your specific circumstances.

 

Key factors that influence how often you should rod the main line include:

  • Past blockages or slow drains in multiple fixtures, which suggest a developing mainline issue.
  • Nearby mature trees with aggressive roots that can intrude into sewer pipes.
  • Pipe material and age; older pipes (like clay or old cast iron) are more prone to root intrusion and buildup.
  • Changes in sewage flow or unusual odors, gurgling, or frequent backups in low-lying fixtures.

 

If you ... Read more »

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