Holiday Cooking, Hidden Clogs, And How To Prevent Them

Between November and January, South Florida’s kitchens work overtime. Restaurants are packed, residents are hosting gatherings, and even high-rises are buzzing with seasonal visitors. But all that cooking comes with a hidden hazard: grease, oil, and food waste that build up fast and back up even faster.

Every year, we receive a wave of calls for emergency grease trap service, clogged main lines, and backups that could have been prevented with a simple pre-holiday check. Whether you manage a commercial kitchen or just want to keep your home plumbing merry and bright, here’s how to stop grease from becoming your holiday grinch.

🧯 1. The Grease Trap Trap

Restaurants and commercial kitchens rely on grease traps to prevent fats, oils, and grease from entering main lines. When those traps go uncleaned, they become ticking time bombs. The same concept applies at home: your kitchen sink acts as a mini grease trap, and it is not built for overload.

Pro tip: Schedule professional cleaning before peak holiday weekends. For homes, pour used cooking oil into a can and place it in the trash.

🏢 2. Multifamily Buildings: When One Clog Hits Many

In condos and HOAs, grease from one unit can block shared risers, causing backups that affect multiple floors. With seasonal visitors arriving, that risk increases dramatically.

Managers: Remind residents not to pour oil or food scraps down drains.

Residents: Use strainers and let plates cool before rinsing.

We can inspect shared lines for buildup and pump out interceptors before the holiday surge.

🛢️ 3. Post-Party Problems: Wipes and Oil Don’t Mix

Disposable wipes and “flushable” cleaning cloths do not break down easily, especially when mixed with oil. They congeal inside pipes, creating stubborn blockages that require high-pressure jetting or emergency pumping.

🧰 4. Your Preventive Plumbing Checklist

For Businesses:

• Clean grease traps before the holiday rush
• Schedule line jetting in kitchens and service areas
• Check for standing water or slow drains

For Homes:

• Wipe pans with paper towels before washing
• Collect grease in sealed containers
• Run hot water with dish soap for 30 seconds after heavy use

A few preventive steps now can save you a midnight emergency call later.

💛 5. The Raider Rooter Difference

We handle everything from restaurant interceptor maintenance to HOA mainline jetting to stubborn home clogs. Our technicians are available 24/7 to keep your kitchen—and your building—running smoothly throughout the holidays.

Call Raider Rooter before the rush. A clean trap today means a calm, clog-free holiday season.