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.

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) 349-8400.

More Tips for Happy Drains

• You should never flush diapers, sanitary napkins, newspapers, soiled rags, or paper towels down your toilets.
• 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. 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. They 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. This allows rainwater to flow in through open cleanouts, which can overwhelm sewer system pipes.

Contact Information

• If a plumber has determined there is a clog that is beyond your service line, call (940) 349-8400.
• To schedule a pick-up of used cooking oil, call Denton Recycles at (940) 349-8080.

Frequently Asked Questions

• If an oil is in a liquid state at room temperature, can I pour it down the drain?
  No, oils at any state can still clog the drains and pipe, however cooking oils can be stored in containers and then picked up at no charge by the waste department.
• My drains tend to get clogged. What can I do to keep them clear?
  Keep things out of the drain that do not belong there, such as grease, large food particles, oils, etc. A natural way to help prevent clogs is to monthly pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a half cup of vinegar. Wait 30 minutes, then flush with hot water for 2-3 minutes. If clogged drains continue to be a problem, call a certified plumber to clear your lines. If the plumber finds the clog is beyond your plumbing, call 940-349-8400.
• Can I flush items down the toilet such as oils that are not supposed to go down the sink drain?
  It doesn’t matter which drain you use, they are all connected to your lateral line, which ultimately moves wastewater from your property into a main line. Using your toilet or other drains as a garbage can will not only clog your drain, but can also create a problem that backs up your neighbors’ plumbing as well.