7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
The toilet is a standard home appliance that we use daily. There’s a tendency to accept the convenience of it for granted, however it’s important to remember that it’s not a trash can. Certain things shouldn’t ever be flushed away down the toilet because they could cause blockage from the pipes or damage to sewer pipes.
Key Takeaways
- Avoid flushing certain things in the toilet, as they could block the drain, or cause harm to pipes in the sewer.
- Seven household items you should never flush down the toilet include:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Oil and cooking fat
- Feminine hygiene products (tampons and pads for sanitary use)
- Medical Treatment
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- Doing this can lead to blocked drains or damaged sewer pipelines inside your home’s plumbing system. This can result in an expense that is unimaginable to you.
- Adelaide Blocked Drains Plumbing offers unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services.
There are 7 household things that you should never flush down the toilet.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes can be convenient however, they do not disintegrate like toilet paper and can clog pipes. Dispose of them in the trash instead.
2. Condoms
The flushing of condoms in the toilet can result in blockages of both your home’s plumbing and wastewater treatment facilities.
3. The cooking grease and oil
Oil and grease must be removed from the 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 pad are usually marketed to be "flushable, " but flushing them will only lead to problems later when they combine with other items to create a nasty blockage.
5. Medicines
It is not recommended to flush medications in the toilet since they can be a source of contamination for water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is crafted to be strong and durable, meaning it won’t fall apart when wet, which can lead to potential blockages in your pipes.
7. Paper towels
Contrary to toilet paper paper towels have a thicker weave that will make them less likely to degrade quickly after being wet, meaning they can easily cause blockages.
In the end, flushing any of these seven items will eventually lead to blocked drains or damaged sewer pipelines in your plumbing system which will incur a huge expense to you. 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. |
FAQ
Can flushing feminine hygiene products cause damage to my pipes?
Yes. Female hygiene products don’t disintegrate in water, and can cause blockages in the sewer or your pipes.
Can flushable wipes be truly flushable?
Many "flushable" wipes don’t disintegrate easily and can cause clogs in your pipes.
Do I have to use baby wipes to flush them down the toilet?
No. Baby wipes shouldn’t be flushed down the drain as they do not dissolve easily and could cause blockages.
Are paper towels suitable to flush?
No. Paper towels are more dense than toilet paper and do not break down as quickly, causing the possibility of clogging in your plumbing system.
What are the implications of medications? Can I flush those in the toilet?
No. The toxins in medicines can affect our waterways. Therefore, it’s important to dispose of them correctly by taking them to a designated drop-off location.
If you find yourself dealing with an unblocking drain Do not delay in calling our professional plumbing solutions via Adelaide Blocked Drains Plumbing . We offer services to clear blocked drains and drain clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services to make sure your home remains free from plumbing issues. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
Additional Information
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- 10 Simple Ways for Fixing a Clogged Pipe
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- Drain Maintenance 101: 10 Simple Ways to Prevent Blockages in Your Home
