At some point, some of us have been guilty of flushing something down the toilet you shouldn’t. From goldfish to baby wipes, once you flush, it’s gone forever! You may not realise it, but the pipes beneath your home are not intended to carry any materials other than toilet paper and your natural waste. When you flush any materials that are dense, or bulky like paper towels, feminine hygiene items and wipes, these can all clump together to cause serious blockages. Plumbing problems can be a hassle. And sometimes, you might not even realise you have a plumbing issue until it’s too late. So, you’ve got a blocked toilet. Here are six ways to avoid having to find a plumber.
Baby wipes and wet wipes
Baby wipes and wet wipes are notorious for creating clogs in our sewage system! They are designed to wipe away dirt and grime while not leaving residue behind. That very nature makes it hard for the sewer system to break down, causing clogs and other problems which will be costly to fix.
Around 75% of wastewater blockages involve flushable wet wipes. Never flush wipes even if they indicate they are flushable, they don’t break down the way toilet paper does. Not to mention, they are very expensive to remove, for 500 tonnes it costs Sydney Water anywhere from $8 million each year.
COTTON BUDS
Cotton balls, cotton pads, and Q-Tips should never be flushed because they don’t break down the same way that toilet paper does; instead, they just clump together in your pipes and cause issues later on.
PAPER TOWELS AND TISSUES
You may not think it’s an issue, however, tissues or paper towels should not be flushed down the toilet. So why can’t paper towels, and tissues all go down the toilet when they are all made of paper? Well, when you flush paper towels or tissues, the water doesn’t immediately cause them to fall apart. These paper products can clog pipes and the sewer system because they aren’t designed to break down as toilet paper does.
Remember, paper towels and tissues are designed to stay intact for longer so they can absorb more moisture.
DENTAL FLOSS
Even though a tiny bit of dental floss might seem like nothing, floss isn’t biodegradable and will eventually clog sewer lines.
SANITARY PRODUCTS
Pads, tampons and other feminine products shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet as they can seriously harm your plumbing. These items are made to absorb liquid so flushing them down the toilet will just make them expand in the pipes without a chance to decompose.
NAPPIES
Despite containing human waste, nappies cannot be flushed down the toilet. They frequently get stuck in the U-Bend of the pipe since they are designed to expand in water. Be sure to keep a bin close by so you can always dispose of nappies after use.
Generally speaking, only waste and toilet paper should be flushed. Following this guideline maintains your local water supply healthy and helps prevent clogs.
If you’re experiencing a clogged toilet or if it’s not flushing right, get in contact with Pro Plumber. Regardless of the condition of your toilet or the symptom you’re dealing with, Pro Plumber are your local Sydney plumbers that can solve any plumbing problem!
