7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
Toilets are a typical fixture in the home that we are using every day. The temptation is to consider its utility as something we take for granted, but it’s essential to keep in mind that it’s a toilet, not a garbage can. There are certain things that should never go down the drain because they could cause blockage within the drainage system or damage the sewer pipe.
Key Takeaways
- Be careful not to flush certain items down the toilet as they could block the drain, or cause damage to sewer pipes.
- Seven household items you shouldn’t to flush down the toilet are:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Cooking grease and oil
- Products for female hygiene (tampons and pads for sanitary use)
- Meds
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- The act of flushing any of these items will ultimately lead to blocked drains or damaged sewer pipelines in your home’s plumbing system, which will result in an unforetold cost to you.
- Adelaide Blocked Drains Plumbing offers unblocking blocked drains drainage clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining.
Seven household objects should not be flushed into the toilet.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes can be convenient however, they do not dissolve like toilet paper, and they can block pipes. You should dispose of them in the garbage instead.
2. Condoms
The flushing of condoms in the toilet can lead to blockages in both your home’s plumbing and wastewater treatment facilities.
3. cooking grease and oil
Grease and oil must be put in a container, and then disposed of in the trash, because they’ll harden, causing obstructions in your drains, or pipes.
4. Produits for female hygiene
Tampons and sanitary pad are usually advertised by their name as "flushable, " but flushing them could cause problems later when they combine with other items to form a nasty obstruction.
5. Medicines
It is not recommended to flush medications through the toilet, as they could pollute our water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is created to be tough and durable, meaning it won’t fall apart in water, causing possible blockages in your pipes.
7. Paper towels
Unlike with toilet paper, the paper towels have a more dense weave, which helps them to degrade quickly after being they are wet. This means that they will not easily cause blockages.
If you flush any of the seven items will ultimately lead to blocked drains as well as damaged pipelines within the plumbing system of your home, which comes at an unforetold expense to the homeowner. Be mindful of the items 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
Do feminine hygiene products that are flushed can cause harm to my pipes?
Yes. The products used to clean your female hygiene don’t dissolve in water and may cause blockages to your sewer pipes.
Are flushable wipes really flushable?
No, many "flushable" wipes do not disintegrate easily and can lead to clogs in your pipes.
Do I have to put baby wipes in the toilet?
No. Baby wipes should never be flushed down the drain since they won’t dissolve easily and could cause blockages.
Are paper towels safe to flush?
No. Paper towels are more dense than toilet paper and don’t break down as quickly, causing the possibility of clogging in your plumbing system.
What about medications? Can I flush them through the toilet?
No. Medical treatments can cause a contamination of our waterways, so it’s crucial to dispose of them in a safe manner by taking these to designated drop-off point.
If you’re dealing with a blocked drain do not hesitate to contact our professional plumbing solutions by calling Adelaide Blocked Drains Plumbing . We can help you unblock blocked drains as well as drain clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services to ensure your home is not impacted by plumbing issues. Call us today for an appointment.
Additional Information
- Saving Time and Money with CCTV Drain Inspection for Drain Clearing
- Removing Blocked Pipes: An Exhaustive Guide for Plumbers
- The Importance of Professional Drain Cleaning for Your Family's Health and Safety
- Why Condo Complexes are Switching to Trenchless Pipe Relining Methods
- Troubleshooting Blocked Drains Plumber Solutions and Tips
- Drain Maintenance 101: 10 Simple Ways to Prevent Blockages in Your Home
- Methods for Finding & Diagnosing a Blocked Drain
- DIY Tips for Unclogging Your Shower Drain Without Harsh Chemicals
- Is It Time for a CCTV Drain Inspection? Here's What You Need to Know
- The Dangers of Using Chemical Drain Unblockers