7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
Toilets are a typical fixture in our homes that we utilize every day. We tend to think of the convenience of it for granted, but it’s vital to remember that it’s not a trash can. There are certain items that shouldn’t ever be flushed away down the toilet as they can cause blockage from the pipes or damage to sewer pipes.
Key Takeaways
- Avoid flushing certain things into the toilet because they could cause blockages in the drain, or cause the damage of sewer lines.
- Seven household items that you should never flush down the toilet include:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Oil and cooking fat
- Products for female hygiene (tampons and pads for sanitary use)
- Medicines
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- Flushing any of these items will ultimately lead to blockages in drains or damaged pipelines in your home’s plumbing system which comes at unimaginable expense to you.
- Sydney Blocked Drains Plumbing offers unblocking blocked drains and drain clearing services CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services.
Seven household objects that should not be flushed down the drain.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes might seem useful, but they do not break down as easily as toilet paper, and they can block your plumbing system. You should 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 the wastewater treatment plant.
3. Cooking grease and oil
Oil and grease must be put in a container and thrown away in the trash, because they’ll get hard and cause blockages in your drains or pipes.
4. Female hygiene products
Tampons and sanitary pad are usually advertised by their name as "flushable, " but flushing them can cause problems later when they combine with other items to create a nasty blockage.
5. Medicines
The flushing of medications should not occur through the toilet, as they can be a source of contamination for water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is made to be tough and durable, meaning it won’t fall apart in water, leading to the possibility of blockages to your pipes.
7. Paper towels
In contrast to toilet paper, the paper towels have a more dense weave, which makes them less likely to degrade quickly after being they are wet. This means that they will not quickly cause blockages.
The bottom line is that flushing any of these seven items can lead to blocked drains and damaged pipelines within the plumbing system of your home, which will incur a huge expense to the homeowner. Be aware of the things you flush 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 & Answers
Are feminine hygiene products flushed in the bathroom causing damage? actually harm my pipes?
Yes. Feminine hygiene products do not disintegrate in water, and could block your sewer pipes.
Are flushable wipes actually flushable?
Many "flushable" wipes don’t really break down and may cause clogs in your pipes.
Do I have to put baby wipes in the toilet?
No. Baby wipes shouldn’t be flushed down the drain because they don’t dissolve well and can cause blockages.
Do paper towels need to be used to flush?
No. Paper towels are more dense than toilet paper and aren’t broken down with the same ease, resulting in the possibility of clogging your plumbing system.
What are the implications of medications? Can I flush them in the toilet?
No. Medicines can be harmful to our waterways. It’s important to dispose of them in a safe manner by taking these to designated drop-off location.
If you’re faced with the problem of a blocked drain, don’t hesitate to call our professional plumbing services via Sydney Blocked Drains Plumbing . We can help you unblock blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services to ensure your home remains free from drainage problems. Call us today for an appointment.
Additional Information
- Stop Blockages Before They Happen: A Decade of Methods to Prevent Blocked Drains
- Preventing Leaks and Blockages: Understanding Pipe Relining Services
- Methods to Unblock a Shower Drain: The Step-by-Step Fix Necessary
- The Benefits of Unblocking Blocked Drains for Your Business
- An Easy DIY Guide to Unclogging Your Blocked Drains
- A Quick and Easy Fix for Blocked Sinks and Showers
- Reasons Why CCTV Drain Inspection is a Must Before Purchasing a Property
- The Comprehensive Handbook to Removing Blockages from Clogged Drains in Your Home
- Seeking a plumber to solve your backed up drain issue? Here's how
- CCTV Drain Inspection Technology: Detecting Corrosion in Sewer Pipes
