7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
The toilet is a ubiquitous household fixture that we all use daily. The temptation is to consider its use for granted, but it’s crucial to remember that it’s not a garbage can. Certain things shouldn’t to be flushed into the drain because they can cause obstruction in the drain or damage for sewer drains.
Key Takeaways
- Do not flush certain things in the bathroom because they could block the drain, or cause the damage of sewer lines.
- Seven household items that you should never flush down the toilet are:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Oil and cooking grease
- Products for female hygiene (tampons and pads for sanitary use)
- Medical Treatment
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- Cleaning any of these items can lead to blockages in drains or damaged pipes within your plumbing system which comes at an expense that is unimaginable to you.
- Sydney Plumber Blocked Drains offers unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining.
Here are seven household items you should never flush down the drain.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes might seem useful however, they do not break down as easily as toilet paper. They can also clog water lines. Throw them away in the trash instead.
2. Condoms
Flushing condoms down the toilet can cause blockages to both the plumbing in your home and the wastewater treatment plant.
3. Food preparation grease and oil
Grease and oil should be removed from a container, then thrown in the trash, as they can harden and cause blockages in your drains or pipes.
4. Female hygiene products
Tampons and sanitary pads are typically advertised to be "flushable, " but flushing them is not likely to cause troubles later on if they join with other products and cause a obstruction.
5. Medicines
Medicines should not be flushed in the toilet since they could contaminate water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is crafted to be sturdy, which means it won’t be able to break in water, leading to possible blockages in your pipes.
7. Paper towels
In contrast to toilet paper, the paper towels have a more dense weave which makes them less likely to deteriorate quickly once wet, meaning they can quickly cause blockages.
The bottom line is that flushing any of these items can lead to blocked drains as well as damaged pipelines in your plumbing system which comes at an unforetold cost 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 and Answers
Are feminine hygiene products flushed in the bathroom causing damage? cause damage to my pipes?
Yes. Feminine hygiene products do not disintegrate in water, and could cause blockages in your pipes or sewer system.
Are flushable wipes really flushable?
Many "flushable" wipes don’t really break down and can cause clogs in your pipes.
Do I have to put baby wipes in the toilet?
No. Baby wipes should not be flushed into the toilet since they are not able to dissolve easily and can cause blockages.
Are paper towels okay to flush?
No. Paper towels are thicker than toilet paper, and they don’t break down as easily, leading to the possibility of clogging in your plumbing system.
What happens to medications? Can I flush those through the toilet?
No. Medications can contaminate our waterways. Therefore, it’s crucial to dispose of them properly by taking these to designated drop-off point.
If you’re faced with an unblocking drain Do not be afraid to contact our professional plumbing services via Sydney Plumber Blocked Drains . We offer services to clear blocked drains as well as drain clearing CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services to make sure your home is free of issues with drainage. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
Additional Information
- How to Prevent Your Drains from Getting Blocked
- Experience these proven remedies for unclogging your drain
- Understanding CCTV Drain Inspection and the Benefits for Your Home
- Avoiding Clogged Drains: Tips for Homeowners
- What You Need to Know About Blocked Drains and How to Resolve Them
- Keep Your Home Safe by Hiring a Professional Drain Cleaning Service
- The Advantage of CCTV Drain Inspection in Detecting Root Infiltration Early
- Catching Drain Issues Early: The Benefits of Scheduling Regular Inspections for Your Business
- Unclogging Your Pipe: High-quality Drainage Remedies
- 5 Tips to Keep Your Drains Flowing
