Our plumbers have been called on to unclog toilets due to eye glasses, cell phones and even a glass eye! However, those were all flushed down the toilet by accident. There are many products that say they are flushable but when it comes to asking our Plumbers, they disagree.
Wet Wipes or Baby Wipes
Whether they are for the bathroom or your baby, wet wipes cannot be flushed down the toilet. The problem is not when the wipe is flushed, the problem comes later when the wipes move through your sewer system and create a clog and by then, a plunger won’t help you.
Paper Towels & Napkins
When you realize you are out of toilet paper, there is no other perfect solution, however, paper towels and napkins should never be flushed down the toilet. They are very problematic for a plumbing system and they are also very difficult to fish out (trust us).
Cat Litter
When dry, cat litter is like sand but if you flush the litter down the toilet, it will turn into a cement like substance and block your sewer system completely.
Extra Thick Toilet Paper
Yes, this is still toilet paper, however our Plumbers have been seeing more and more clogged sewer systems due to the extra thick layers of some toilet paper. Be careful how much of the stuff you flush at once.
Kleenex & Makeup Remover Wipes
Thick tissues like those with lotion or labeled extra thick are not appropriate to flush down the toilet. Neither are makeup remover wipes. These will only become clumpy and sticky and they are non-degradable leading to clogged pipes.
Feminine Hygiene Products
These products are dense and super absorbable for a reason. They do not break down easily if flushed and neither do tampon applicators, the plastic strip from the sticky back of a pad and the pad itself. These will all lead to a clogged main sewer line at which point a specialized drain company will have to come in and remove the clog.
Food Items
Food will clog your toilet just like it clogs your sink (if you don’t have a garbage disposal). Avoid flushing any kind of leftovers down the toilet.
Cooking Grease
Yes, this is liquid when you pour it down the toilet but as it cools, it will begin to congeal and cause a gooey mess that will cause a clog (especially bacon grease).
Chewing Gum
Your toilet is not a trash can. Even gum can cause blockages so it is best to just toss it in the trash.
Cigarette Butts
Cigarettes are full of toxic chemicals that when flushed down the toilet can go straight into the water system. Plus, it is a waste of water to flush the toilet every time you dispose of a cigarette butt.
Medication
While these may not clog your drain, they do breakdown in water which can cause toxic effects on your groundwater. It is best to dispose of medication properly for example at your local pharmacy.
If you want to keep your plumbing system healthy, then it is best to stick to basic toilet paper. Anything else and you could be making a costly mistake when you realize the mainline to your sewer system is clogged.
