7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
The toilet is a ubiquitous household fixture that we all utilize every day. There’s a tendency to accept the convenience of it as a given, but it’s essential to keep in mind that it’s not a trash can. There are some things that should never go down the toilet since they can cause blockage within the drainage system or damage for sewer drains.
Key Takeaways
- Avoid flushing certain things in the toilet, as they can cause blockages in the drain, or cause the damage of sewer lines.
- Seven household items you shouldn’t flush down the toilet include:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Oil and cooking grease
- Products for feminine hygiene (tampons and pads for sanitary use)
- Meds
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- Flushing any of these items will ultimately lead to blocked drains or damaged sewer pipes within your plumbing system which comes at an unforetold cost to you.
- Adelaide Blocked Drains Plumber offers unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services.
Here are seven household items you should never flush down the drain.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes can be convenient however, they do not dissolve like toilet paper, and they can block the plumbing in your home. Throw them away in the trash instead.
2. Condoms
Dissolving condoms in the toilet could cause blockages in the plumbing of your home as well as wastewater treatment facilities.
3. The cooking grease and oil
Oil and grease should be removed from a container and thrown away in the trash, as they can harden and cause obstructions in your drains or pipes.
4. Female hygiene products
Tampons and sanitary pads are frequently marketed to be "flushable, " but flushing them will only lead to problems later when they are combined with other items to create a nasty blockage.
5. Medicines
It is not recommended to flush medications into the toilet as they can contaminate our water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is made to be strong, which means it won’t be able to break in water, leading to potential blockages in your pipes.
7. Paper towels
In contrast to toilet paper, paper towels have a thicker weave that helps them to degrade quickly after being wet, which means they won’t quickly cause blockages.
The bottom line is that flushing any of these items can lead to blocked drains as well as damaged pipes within your home’s plumbing system which can result in an unexpected cost to the homeowner. Be aware of the things you send 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. |
Common Questions & Answers
Are feminine hygiene products flushed in the bathroom causing damage? can cause harm to my pipes?
Yes. Female hygiene products don’t break down in water and could block your sewer pipes.
Are flushable wipes really flushable?
Many "flushable" wipes don’t really break down and can cause clogs in your pipes.
Do I have to use baby wipes to flush them down the toilet?
No. Baby wipes should never be flushed down the toilet because they don’t dissolve quickly and could cause obstructions.
Are paper towels okay to flush?
No. Paper towels are thicker than toilet paper and do not break down as quickly, causing potential clogs in the plumbing system.
What about medications? Can I flush them in the toilet?
No. Medications can contaminate our waterways. Therefore, it’s essential to dispose of them properly by taking your medications to the designated location for disposal.
If you find yourself dealing with an unblocking drain Don’t delay in calling our professional plumbing services via Adelaide Blocked Drains Plumber . We can help you unblock blocked drains drainage clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services to ensure your home is not impacted by drain issues. Call us today for an appointment.
Additional Information
- Essential Tips for Keeping Your Drains Clog-Free
- How to Clear Blocked Drains in Your Home
- Remove Drain Blockages Permanently with These Proven Techniques
- The Benefits of Using CCTV Drain Inspection for Pipe Relining Services
- Say hello to unclogged drains with effective remedies
- How CCTV Drain Inspections Help Avoid Water Damage and Health Hazards
- 5 Factors That Are Clogging Your Drains and How to Avoid Them
- Don't Let Your Blocked Drains Cause You Trouble
- Why Condo Complexes are Switching to Trenchless Pipe Relining Methods
- Catching Drain Issues Early: The Benefits of Scheduling Regular Inspections for Your Business
