Why You Should Never Pour Grease Down the Drain

Cooking dinner, cleaning up, and… down goes the leftover grease.

We get it. It’s easy. It’s fast. And when the grease is hot and liquid, it doesn’t look like a problem.

But ask any drain tech at UPR, and they’ll tell you:
Grease is the #1 reason for stubborn, recurring clogs in Toronto homes.

The truth is, grease doesn’t just go away — it cools, hardens, and sticks. Over time, it clogs your pipes, narrows your drain lines, and creates the perfect trap for everything else: hair, food scraps, and soap scum.

Before you know it, your kitchen sink isn’t draining… and your basement might not be far behind.

What Really Happens When You Pour Grease Down the Drain

The moment hot grease hits your cooler drain pipes, it starts to solidify. It might not block the pipe right away — but layer by layer, it builds up along the inside walls.

Eventually, your once-clear pipe looks more like a greasy tunnel — narrowing every time you wash another pan.

We’ve seen grease cause:

• Sink backups

• Drain odors

• Slow-flowing kitchen lines

• Total clogs in the main sewer

• And in some cases, full pipe replacements

One UPR customer in North York poured bacon grease down the sink for years. When the kitchen drain stopped working, we found over 10 feet of solid grease buildup behind the walls.

So What Should You Do Instead?

Simple: let it cool, then trash it.

• Pour grease into a heat-safe container like a jar or can

• Let it solidify

• Toss it in the garbage once it’s cool

If you have a lot of grease (say from deep frying), consider using a disposable grease trap or dropping it off at a local waste depot — Toronto has eco-options.

Also, wipe down greasy pans with a paper towel before rinsing them. That small step saves you big headaches later.

How UPR Helps

Already have a slow kitchen drain? Don’t wait until it fully blocks.

We clear grease clogs safely with snaking or hydro jetting — using high-pressure water to blast away the buildup without damaging your pipes. And if your main line is affected, we’ll scope it with a camera so you see exactly what’s going on.

 GTA Tip:

Older homes in Toronto often have cast iron or clay pipes, which are rougher inside — perfect for grease to stick. Newer homes aren’t immune either. Grease doesn’t care about your zip code.

Call 647-833-6743

Contact UPR

Don’t let grease make your pipes groan — UPR clears it fast before it turns to stone.
Serving Toronto & the GTA with expert drain cleaning and grease removal solutions.