Fatberg. (2025, January 3). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatberg
To some, a ‘fatberg’ is a term that features on the news, but to the team at TWC Draincare, they are something we deal all the time.
A fatberg doesn’t have to be huge to cause a problem with your drain lines. But what are fatbergs, and what causes them?
In this blog, the TWC Draincare team have compiled a brief history of fatbergs — including our specialist advice on taking care of your drains to avoid contributing to this common problem.
What is a Fatberg?
A fatberg is a large, solid mass of fat, oil and grease (often mixing with other insoluble materials like baby wipes and nappies).
Drain lines are cold, which causes the fat to solidify, together with other waste (like wipes and nappies), causing a blockage. The resulting fatberg, (commonly referred to as “FOG” within the drainage world) is incredibly damaging to drains. A fatberg in a populated area can expand to an astonishing size, leading to broken pipes, backed-up sewage, and very smelly drains. So just how big can a fatberg get?
Fatbergs: A Timeline
Many of the largest fatbergs that have blocked drains and caused chaos in the UK have been found in London. With many areas in the capital relying on old sewer systems that are not equipped to handle modern population density:
- 2013 — a fatberg the size of a London bus is discovered beneath London Road in Kingston upon Thames, weighing over 15 tonnes.
- 2014 — after flooding in Shepherd’s Bush, London, Thames Water discovers a fatberg the length of a Boeing 747 (link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-23586290) in the sewers.
- 2015 — in Welshpool, Wales, a fatberg the length of a football pitch causes manholes to overflow.
- 2019 — a record-breaking fatberg is found in a Liverpool sewer. It weighs over 400 tonnes (that is roughly 4 blue whales!) and is over 250 metres long.
- 2021 — a fatberg “the weight of a small bungalow” is discovered in Canary Wharf, taking over 2 weeks to remove.
- 2024 — weighing the same as three double-decker buses, a fatberg in Abbey Mills, London, takes a crew of 20 workers over a week to remove.
Fatbergs don’t have to be huge to cause a problem though, even a small build-up can wreak havoc with your drains. So, here’s our top tips to prevent them:
TWC: Expert Advice and Drainage Cleaning Services
Disposing of fat, oil and grease responsibly is one of the easiest ways to avoid a drainage disaster. You can soak up excess FOG with kitchen roll, or pour it into leftover containers, then throw it into the bin. If you would prefer an eco-friendlier disposal method, you can also use FOG to create homemade bird food to support your local wildlife!
There are several symptoms of blocked drains and fatbergs to be aware of, including slow drainage, foul odours coming from your drains, and standing water around external drains. If you notice any of these issues, you should contact the TWC Draincare team immediately.
Our expert engineers can use the latest CCTV drainage technology to inspect your drains for blockages and damage, and we can use high-powered drain jetting to clean any accumulating FOG out of your pipes, ensuring that your drains can function at their best.
Contact the TWC Draincare team by calling 03333 052 243 or emailing help@twc-draincare.com
