7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
Toilets are a typical household fixture that we all use daily. There’s a tendency to accept its convenience as a given, but it’s vital to remember that it’s not a trash can. Certain things shouldn’t to be flushed into the toilet since they can cause blockage from the pipes or damage in sewer lines.
Key Takeaways
- Don’t flush certain items into the toilet because they could block the drain, or cause damages to the pipes.
- Seven household items you shouldn’t to flush down the toilet are:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Cooking grease and oil
- Female hygiene products (tampons and sanitary pads)
- Medications
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- Doing this could result in blocked drains or damaged sewer pipelines within your home’s plumbing system, which will result in unimaginable expense to you.
- Perth Blocked Drains Plumbing offers unblocking blocked drains drainage clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining.
These are the seven items in your home you shouldn’t flush into the toilet.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes may seem convenient but they don’t break down like toilet paper. They can also clog pipes. You should dispose of them in the garbage instead.
2. Condoms
Dissolving condoms in the toilet could cause blockages in both your plumbing system and the wastewater treatment plant.
3. Cooking grease and oil
Grease and oil must be disposed of in a container, then thrown in the trash, because they’ll harden, causing obstructions in your drains or pipes.
4. Products for feminine hygiene
Tampons and sanitary pads are often marketed to be "flushable, " but flushing them is not likely to cause troubles later on if they mix with other things to create a nasty clog.
5. Medicines
The flushing of medications should not occur through the toilet, as they could contaminate water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is crafted to be sturdy that means it will not fall apart in water, causing possible blockages in your pipes.
7. Paper towels
In contrast to toilet paper, Paper towels have a thicker weave which makes them less likely to break down quickly when they’re wet. They can quickly cause blockages.
In conclusion, flushing one of these seven things can lead to blocked drains or damaged sewer pipes within the plumbing system of your home, which will incur a huge price to the homeowner. Be mindful of what you flush down the toilet.
| Item | Reason for not Flushing |
|---|---|
| Baby wipes | Do not break down like toilet paper and can clog your plumbing system. Dispose of them in the trash instead. |
| Condoms | Leads to blockages both at home’s plumbing and treatment plants. |
| Cooking grease and oil | Will harden and cause blockages in your drains or pipes. |
| Feminine hygiene products | Combining with other items creates a nasty clog despite being marketed as "flushable". |
| Medications | Can contaminate our water sources. |
| Dental floss | Designed to be strong, leading to potential blockages in pipes. |
| Paper towels | Less likely to deteriorate quickly once wet, easily causing blockages unlike with toilet paper. |
Frequently Asked Question
Do feminine hygiene products that are flushed actually harm my pipes?
Yes. Feminine hygiene products do not disintegrate in water, and could cause blockages in your sewer or pipes.
Are flushable wipes actually flushable?
There is no need to worry, most "flushable" wipes do not really break down and can cause clogs in your pipes.
Do I have to flush baby wipes down the toilet?
No. Baby wipes should not be flushed down the drain since they are not able to dissolve well and can cause blockages.
Do paper towels need to be used to flush?
No. Paper towels are thicker than toilet paper, and they do not break down as quickly, causing the possibility of clogging the plumbing system.
What about medication? Do I have to flush them through the toilet?
No. The toxins in medicines can affect our waterways, so it’s important to dispose of the drugs in a proper manner, by bringing your medications to the designated place for drop-off.
If you’re dealing with a blocked drain Don’t hesitate to contact our professional plumbing solutions by calling Perth Blocked Drains Plumbing . We offer services to clear blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services to ensure your home isn’t impacted by plumbing issues. Contact us today to set up an appointment.
Additional Information
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