There are a lot of items that you shouldn’t attempt to flush down the toilet (and we’re not just referring to jewelry!) Attempting to flush items other than toilet paper down the toilet increases the risk of it becoming clogged. A clogged toilet is a real nuisance, given that it increases the risk of overflowing, which can cause property damage and affect people’s health. One way to ensure that your toilet doesn’t experience issues such as clogging is to be very mindful of what you flush down the toilet. In this blog post, your expert team at Carter’s Septic Tank Service will highlight the common items you should always avoid flushing down your toilet. Let’s get started.
Flushable Wipes
Let’s start with an item that may confuse some readers. Given it includes the word “flushable,” it’s easy to assume that it’s okay to flush these wet wipes down the toilet. However, you should always avoid doing this. Whereas toilet paper is designed to disintegrate in pipes, flushable wipes are not. As they are made with synthetic materials, they won’t break down, which makes them likely to clog your toilet.
Feminine Hygiene Products
Never flush tampons and pads down the toilet. You will often see signs warning people not to flush these items down the toilet—and with good reason. This is because they expand and retain fluids, meaning they won’t dissolve once flushed. Instead, you should wrap these items in toilet paper and throw them into the garbage. As with feminine hygiene products, condoms should be wrapped in toilet paper and tossed into the garbage. Never flush condoms down the toilet. If they are, they may lead to a clogged plumbing system as they do not dissolve in the sewer system.
Hair
It might sound unusual, but many people dispose of hair by flushing it down the toilet. After taking a shower or brushing their hair, many people collect fallen hair, clump it together, and flush it away. The risk here is that hair will snag other waste in the system, leading to large clogs affecting your toilet’s proper working order. Again, hair should be tossed into the garbage.
Other Items to Avoid Flushing
Some other items that you should avoid flushing down the toilet include:
Paper towels
Disposable diapers
Cotton swabs
Kitty litter
Dryer sheets
The bottom line is that if you are unsure about where it is okay to flush an item down the toilet, it’s best to dispose of it safely in the garbage.
What Should You Not Flush Down the Toilet?
In order to reduce the likelihood of your toilet getting clogged, the above items should never be flushed down the toilet. As this blog post on “What should you not flush down the toilet” highlights, stick to only flushing toilet paper. If you are looking for one of the best septic repairs in Moncton, your premier choice is Carter’s Septic Tank Service. Contact our professional team today to learn more about our home plumbing services.