Maintain Your Drain

When fats, oils, and grease are discarded down kitchen and floor drains in homes and businesses, it can build up in the sewer causing a blockage, which can cause backups into your home or business. The clogs can lead to sewage overflows in the street and storm water system, and higher sewer bills.

Tips

Help prevent sewer systems from turning into a greasy underworld by disposing of fats, oils, and grease properly. Here are tips for how to unclog a sink drain, and how to prevent having a blocked drain outside:

• Wipe or scrape your dishes before washing
• Dispose of food scraps in the trash, and minimize garbage disposal usage
• Never pour grease or oil down the drain; instead, pour into a sealable jar or can. If the contents harden, then, once full, throw the jar or can away
• If you fill your container solely with cooking oil, it can be recycled
  • Call Denton Recycles at 940-349-8080 to schedule curb-side pickup at no additional cost
• If you do have a backup call a plumber immediately
• If your plumber finds the blockage beyond your line, call 940-349-8700

More Tips for Happy Drains

• Items that you should never flush down your toilet include:
  • Diapers
  • Newspapers
  • Paper towels
  • Sanitary napkins
  • Soiled rags
• Avoid the release of hair into drains of showers, bath tubs, and wash basins
• Unclog drains naturally by pouring a quarter cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of white vinegar, then follow a few minutes later with boiling water
• Pour boiling water down the drains weekly to prevent clogs
• Empty washing machine lint into a garbage bag to avoid the discharge of lint into the sewer line
• Make sure your lateral clean-out cap is in good working condition; if you are uncertain about your clean-out cap, have a plumber inspect it
• Cap the Gap on your sewer cleanout! Cleanouts are the pipes that allow access to a home or business's sewer service, which are usually covered by white plastic caps that protrude above the top of the cleanout pipe. People often mow over these caps, breaking off the top, which allows rainwater to flow in through open cleanouts, and can overwhelm sewer system pipes

Contact Information

If a plumber has determined there is a clog that is beyond your service line, call 940-349-8700. To schedule a pick-up of used cooking oil, call Denton Recycles at 940-349-8080.