How to clean pipes?

A dirty, greasy kitchen pipes can be a nasty surprise if it bursts in the middle of the night. Read through this “how to clean pipes” post to learn about what causes greasy pipes, how you can get rid of this problem once and for all, and what tools you’ll need along the way.

What Causes Greasy Pipes?

Pipe grease is caused by cooking oils that seep into your piping system via leaks or spills over time. These cooking oils are lightweight containing mostly glycerin and animal fats. So they will easily slip past seals in your plumbing system. When these oils reach your drain pipes, they will harden as they cool and create a grease buildup on the inside of the pipes. It is important to deal with this problem quickly because these greases can cause blockages in your piping system that are incredibly difficult to remove.

Grease buildup usually happens behind kitchen appliances, on the floor beneath them, and along walls where there is a lot of moisture as a result of condensation. Kitchen sinks are particularly prone to this problem because it is here where oils are most likely to leak out onto the counter top or floor below where it can easily splash out when water is running.

One of the most likely culprits for kitchen grease buildup is your refrigerator if you have one.

Step-by-step Guide on how to clean pipes

• Turn off the water supply.
• Use a candle to burn off any grease buildup on your pipes or inside faucets and fittings.
• Mix a solar heater solution by pouring together ¼ cup of bleach and 1 gallon of boiling water and pour this into the affected areas through drains, taps, etc.
• Let sit for one to two hours, then rinse with clean water.
• If your pipes are plastic and you can unconnect them, soak them in a solution of water and dish soap overnight.
• Connect the pipes together again or replace with new ones after cleaning.
• Turn on the water supply.

With this simple guide, you can get rid of greasy pipe buildup once and for all and restore your kitchen to its original shine. These procedures will also be useful for cleaning buildup from bathroom sinks and other kitchen areas that have grease traps to prevent plumbing blockages from building up in there as well.

FAQs about cleaning pipes

–Why should you clean your pipes?
The longer grease remains on your plumbing system, the more likely it is to cause a buildup that will eventually turn into clogs and backups. By removing grease buildup, you are making sure that the integrity of your piping system is maintained so it will continue to function properly without problems.

–What do I need in order to clean my pipes?
A solar heater solution and access to dish soap, bleach and boiling water. You can also buy pipe cleaning solutions at home improvement stores.

–How long does it take to clean pipes?
This depends on how long the grease has been there for but as a general rule of thumb, allow yourself 2–3 hours for pipe cleaning activities.

–How often should I clean my pipes?
It is important to keep your piping system clean at all times but more so when you notice that the grease buildup has gotten out of control. It is best to do a thorough cleaning once every 6 months or so, depending on the size of your kitchen and other factors.

–When should I call a plumber?
If you are unable to remove the grease buildup on your own or if there are other issues with your plumbing system that prevents effective cleaning, contact a plumber as soon as possible.