7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
The toilet is a standard household fixture that we all utilize every day. The temptation is to consider its convenience for granted, but it’s important to remember that it’s not a garbage can. There are some things that shouldn’t ever be flushed away down the toilet since they can cause blockage in the drain or damage the sewer pipe.
Key Takeaways
- Avoid flushing certain things down the toilet as they could block the drain or damage to sewer pipes.
- Seven household items that you shouldn’t flush down the toilet are:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Oil and cooking grease
- Feminine hygiene products (tampons and sanitary pads)
- Medical Treatment
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- Flushing any of these items can lead to blockages in drains or damaged pipes within your plumbing system, which will result in unimaginable expense to you.
- Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumbers offers unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining.
These are the seven items in your home that should not be flushed in the toilet.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes may seem convenient, but they do not dissolve like toilet paper and could clog the plumbing in your home. Dispose of them in the garbage instead.
2. Condoms
Dissolving condoms in the toilet can cause blockages to both the plumbing in your home and wastewater treatment facilities.
3. Food preparation grease and oil
Grease and oil must be put in a container before throwing it away in the trash, as they’ll get hard and cause blockages in your drains and pipes.
4. Products for feminine hygiene
Tampons and sanitary pads are often marketed as "flushable, " but flushing them can cause issues later on when they join with other products to cause a terrible blockage.
5. Medications
It is not recommended to flush medications into the toilet as they could contaminate water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is crafted to be durable so it won’t split in water, causing the possibility of clogging your pipes.
7. Paper towels
Contrary to toilet paper paper towels have a thicker weave which will make them less likely to degrade quickly after being wet, meaning they can quickly cause blockages.
If you flush any of the seven items will ultimately lead to blocked drains as well as damaged pipes in your plumbing system which comes at an unforetold cost to you. Stay mindful of what you put down the drain.
| 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. |
FAQs
Do feminine hygiene products that are flushed can cause harm to my pipes?
Yes. Products for feminine hygiene do not break down in water and could cause blockages in your sewer pipes.
Are flushable wipes actually flushable?
No, many "flushable" wipes do not actually break down easily and could cause clogs to your pipes.
Can I wash baby wipes by flushing them down the toilet?
No. Baby wipes shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet as they do not dissolve easily and could cause blockages.
Are paper towels suitable to flush?
No. Paper towels are thicker than toilet paper and do not break down with the same ease, resulting in possible clogs in your plumbing system.
What about medication? Should I flush them down the toilet?
No. Medical treatments can cause a contamination of our waterways. It’s crucial to dispose of them correctly by taking them to a designated drop-off point.
If you find yourself dealing with a blocked drain Don’t hesitate to contact our professional plumbing service by calling Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumbers . We provide unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services to make sure your home isn’t impacted by drainage problems. Call us now to make an appointment.
Additional Information
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- The Benefits of CCTV Drain Inspections for Blocked Drains and Corroded Pipes
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