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Your toilet might seem like a magical disappearing act for waste, but there’s a limit to what it can handle. Flushing the wrong items down the toilet can wreak havoc on your plumbing, leading to clogs, costly damage, and even environmental harm. To help you avoid these issues, here’s a guide on what you should never flush and why.
Common Items to Keep Out of Your Toilet
Toilets are designed to handle human waste and toilet paper, but many people unknowingly use them for far more. Here are some common culprits to avoid:
1. Wipes (Even "Flushable" Ones)
Despite being labeled as flushable, most wipes don’t dissolve like toilet paper. They can accumulate in your pipes, causing blockages and, eventually, plumbing disasters.
2. Paper Towels and Tissues
Though they feel similar to toilet paper, paper towels and tissues are made to be more durable and absorbent. These qualities also make them poor candidates for flushing, as they don’t break down easily in water.
3. Hygiene Products
Items like pads, tampons, and cotton swabs are designed to absorb moisture, not dissolve in it. Flushing them can block your plumbing and damage your septic system over time.
4. Hair
Whether from cleaning out your brush or a clogged shower drain, hair should never go into the toilet. It tangles and clumps together, creating stubborn obstructions in your pipes.
5. Medications
Flushing pills or liquids down the toilet can introduce harmful chemicals to water supplies, potentially contaminating rivers, lakes, and even drinking water.
6. Grease and Food Scraps
It might be easier than tossing leftovers into the trash, but grease, oils, and food particles solidify when cooled. These materials can coat your pipes and lead to severe blockages.
Why Flushing the Wrong Things Leads to Disaster
The consequences of improper flushing go beyond simple clogs. Over time, the buildup of non-dissolvable items can cause:
Costly Repairs
Clearing major blockages or replacing damaged pipes can quickly add up.Sewage Backups
Flushing the wrong items can clog entire systems, resulting in messy and unpleasant sewage flooding into your home.Environmental Damage
Items that don’t break down in water can find their way into oceans or rivers, harming aquatic life and polluting the ecosystem.
How to Protect Your Plumbing
Here are some proactive ways to keep your plumbing in great shape:
- Only flush human waste and toilet paper.
- Keep a small trash can near the toilet for tissues, wipes, and hygiene items.
- Educate family members or roommates about what belongs in the toilet.
- Schedule routine plumbing inspections to catch potential issues early.
Contact Big Blue Plumbing for Plumbing Solutions
A functioning toilet is essential to any home, and proper flushing practices are vital for avoiding disasters. At Big Blue Plumbing, we specialize in keeping your plumbing in tip-top shape. If you’re dealing with slow drains, clogs, or other plumbing issues, don’t wait for them to escalate. Contact us today to schedule an inspection or get expert advice. We’re here to help you protect your home and avoid unnecessary headaches!