Are you seeking emergency sewer services? Flushing the wrong items down your toilet can have disastrous consequences for your plumbing system and wallet. To ensure proper maintenance of your toilets and keep your pipes clear, it’s important to know what should and shouldn’t be flushed. In this blog article, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide on what not to flush down the toilet—so you can keep your pipes clean, maintain a healthy sewer system, and reduce the cost of plumbing repairs.
The first order of business when it comes to keeping toilets functioning properly is knowing what you shouldn’t be flushing down them. Here are some of the most common items that should never be flushed:
Wet Wipes
Even if a product advertises that it’s “flushable,” that doesn’t mean it actually breaks down once inside the drainpipe. Wet wipes, in particular, do not disintegrate quickly enough to flow through the pipes without getting stuck and causing blockages. Other types of wipes that should never be flushed include:
- Baby wipes
- Facial wipes
- Makeup remover cloths
- Disinfectant wipes
Hair
Human hair can cause major problems for home plumbing systems if it’s allowed to build up in drains or sewers over time. To avoid this issue, make sure to keep all hair out of drains and dispose of it properly in a bin instead.
Cotton Swabs and Q-Tips
Cotton swabs may seem harmless enough, but they’re made from materials that don’t break down quickly, meaning they can clump together in drains or sewers, forming massive blockages. This can cause serious damage and require costly repair work!
Medications
It may sound like common sense, but throwing medications into the toilet could contaminate drinking water sources with potentially dangerous compounds, so always dispose of medications in appropriate hazardous waste containers where available (or contact your local pharmacy).
Grease/Oil/Fats
Fats are harmful for both residential and municipal wastewater systems because they tend to stick together and form large masses that block up whole sewage systems! So avoid putting any oils or greases into sinks or toilets—even if it seems like an easy way to get rid of them quickly!
Flushable Kitty Litter
While there are plenty of products that advertise themselves as ‘flushable’ kitty litter, these products often contain chemicals that cause plumbing problems when combined with other waste materials in sewage systems, so it’s best avoided altogether!
Diapers and Sanitary Products
Diapers contain plastics, which are likely to clog household pipes leading up to septic tanks or city sewers – so even if you think an individual disposable diaper isn’t going to cause any damage – don’t risk it! Similarly, sanitary products should always be disposed of appropriately rather than flushed away, as they won’t break down easily once inside a pipe!
Disposable Paper Towels and Napkins
Like wipes, these items are made from materials that will not break down fast enough in water before they reach septic tanks or municipal sewers—resulting in potentially damaging blockages over time!
It’s important for all homeowners to understand what not to flush down their toilets in order to preserve their plumbing system effectively – particularly if you live in an area with older clay drainage pipes, which are much more vulnerable than modern PVC piping systems! By following this guide, you can help ensure that your home remains free from nasty surprises caused by blocked drains or expensive repair bills due to poorly maintained sewers and drainage systems. So remember, when it comes to sorting out what goes where – think before you flush! Contact Spotted Dog Excavating – we are available for 24-hour emergency sewer and water line repair services.