From time to time, when we’re feeling daring, we’ll decide to flush random objects down the toilet. As of yet, nothing bad has happened. So, everything must be fine, right?
Not necessarily.
There are some items that, when flushed down the toilet, can cause serious damage. Flushing these items might not present problems immediately, but it could very well come back to haunt us down the line.
Wondering which items are most troublesome for flushing? Then read on. Here are 8 bathroom items you should NEVER flush down the toilet.
1. Paper Towels
Paper towels are like toilet paper, so they can be flushed down toilets, right? Nope! Unlike toilet paper, paper towels don’t easily disintegrate when put in water. Because of this, they can cause serious clogging, and, if flushed in excess over a long period of time, will almost undoubtedly result in costly plumbing damage.
Note, the same goes for tissues and napkins. These items are made to be thrown into the trash. When flushed down a toilet, they will eventually cause problems.
2. Condoms
It’s extraordinarily common for individuals to flush condoms down the toilet. But, as you might expect, it’s always a bad idea.
See, condoms are made of latex. Latex isn’t biodegradable. So, when you flush a condom, it stands no chance of disintegrating.
Instead, it’s going to clog up your pipes and become a scourge on your municipality’s sewer system. So, in short, just throw your used condoms in the trash. They’ll be gone within a week.
3. Tampons
Just as condoms should be left out of the toilet, so too should tampons. Tampons are rather bulky when compared to the size of the standard water pipe. As such, they can clog such pipes up in a hurry.
To dispose of your used tampons, you’re advised to place them in a bag and put them in your trash can. With the garbage truck just around the corner, they’ll be gone in less than 7 days.
4. Wipes
Wipes are used for a variety of purposes, the majority of which are related to the bathroom in some way. As such, it’s not at all uncommon for individuals to flush their wipes down the toilet. Note, however, that this is always a big mistake.
As you can see, wipes don’t disintegrate when exposed to water. So, when you flush a wipe, you’re flushing it in its full form. Placing a full wipe in the middle of a small water pipe is just asking for a clog.
Not to mention, wipes often contain chemicals that are awful for the sewer sanitation process. As such, when flushed, they can be just as detrimental to the environment as they are to your plumbing system.
5. Diapers
This next one should go without saying: diapers should never, ever be flushed down the toilet. The whole point of a diaper is to absorb moisture. So, if you flush a diaper down the toilet, it’s going to absorb substantial amounts of water and will grow to be the size of a softball; severe clogging awaits.
If you can’t stand the smell, empty the contents into the toilet and wrap the diaper in a plastic bag. Then, throw the diaper in the trash and wait for garbage day.
6. Hair
If you walk into a bathroom, you’re bound to see hair. It will be on the floor, on shower walls, and just about everywhere else you look. And if you’re a particular type of person, you might grab this hair and flush it straight down the toilet.
However, you should know that this is always a bad idea. Flushed hair can collect in one spot, creating a giant ball that clogs drains and causes severe plumbing damage. For this reason, when disposing of hair, you should throw it in the trash.
7. Medications
A common practice is to flush medications down the toilet as a means of keeping them from children and pets. While this strategy is well-intentioned, it’s not without its faults.
See, when you flush medications down the toilet, you’re essentially poisoning the sewage system with unwanted chemicals. At some point, these chemicals could go on to contaminate your drinking water.
So, instead of flushing your meds down the toilet, secure them in a bag, add an inedible substance like kitty litter, and place the bag in a trash can that can’t be easily accessed. When garbage day rolls around, toss them out.
8. Grease
Cooking grease is a nuisance. It’s thick and disgusting and seems like it shouldn’t be throw in the trash. As such, some individuals take it upon themselves to throw their cooking grease in the toilet instead. Simply put: this is a bad idea.
See, over time, cooking grease hardens. When this occurs, it has the potential to clog a drain substantially. Therefore, by putting cooking grease in your toilet, you’re doing serious damage to your plumbing system.
Instead, just scrape it off and put it in the trash can. If done little by little, it will never a minimal impact on the smell and sanitation of your home.
Toilet Paper is the Only Item You Should Flush Down the Toilet!
While the items discussed above are the most damaging to toilets, in truth, the only item you should flush down the toilet (apart from human waste, of course) is toilet paper. All other items have the potential to cause clogs and could cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars worth of damage.
Have you already flushed a troubling item down the toilet? Are you facing the consequences of that decision now? If so and if you need a plumber in Salt Lake City, we here at Stallion Plumbing and Drains are the people to see.
Contact us now to schedule an appointment!