At home: keep grease out of the drain
The City of Tempe recommends collecting used cooking oil and wiping greasy pans before washing them. Dispose of grease in the trash rather than pouring it down the sink. It also advises against putting wipes or food scraps down drains.
When a kitchen drain keeps slowing down
A repeat clog may involve grease buildup, but it can also reflect a sag or other pipe defect. A camera inspection can help guide the next step. For homes, compare hydro jetting with other remedies based on the pipe condition.
Why hot water does not solve grease buildup
Warm oil can pass through a sink and then cool farther down the drain. Soap or a degreaser may disperse it briefly without removing it from the sewer system. Tempe's residential FOG guidance recommends collecting oil in a container, wiping pans before washing and putting food scraps in the trash. That prevention is easier than repeatedly opening a clogged line.
A kitchen routine that reduces risk
- Let used oil cool. Put it in a sealed disposable container for trash, or check the city's collection options for recyclable cooking oil.
- Scrape plates and wipe greasy pans with paper before they reach the sink.
- Keep wipes, paper towels and food waste out of drains, even when a package calls a wipe flushable.
- Watch for recurring slow drains and gurgling rather than waiting for wastewater to reach a floor drain.
Restaurant grease traps are a separate compliance job
Tempe's FOG program says food-service establishments need a grease trap or interceptor, and describes different maintenance intervals for the devices. A permitted liquid-waste hauler services the grease-control device; sewer-line jetting is not a substitute for that work. Keep the pump-out records the city requires. If a kitchen line clogs despite device maintenance, ask whether the obstruction is before or after the device and have the line evaluated separately.
When prevention is no longer enough
Repeated backups after grease removal can involve buildup in a pipe or a structural issue such as a belly. Cleaning can restore flow, while a camera inspection after clearing can help determine whether a low section or damaged joint is trapping debris. Ask the contractor to explain why a method fits the pipe condition rather than assuming every slow line needs high-pressure jetting.
Sources and scope
Source: City of Tempe residential FOG guidance. Also: City of Tempe commercial FOG program. This guide is general information, not an on-site diagnosis. Tempe Sewer Cleaning connects callers with independent contractors; confirm the findings, work, price and licensing with the contractor.