Most people believe that once you flush something down the toilet, the item is out of sight, out of mind. But, if you flush certain things down the toilet, it can cause damage that you’ll have to deal with later. The truth is that toilet pipes are delicate and can’t handle certain items. If you want to keep your plumbing system running smoothly, here are five items you should avoid flushing down the toilet.
1. Wipes
These days there are types of wipes that advertise being flushable. However, even though baby wipes, facial wipes, and other types of wipes say they can be flushed down the toilet, they should still never be flushed down the toilet. Wipes frequently cause clogs because they don’t disintegrate the way toilet paper does. Always discard your wipes into a wastebasket instead.
2. Cotton Products
Cotton balls, cotton pads, and Q-tips should never be flushed down the toilet. These items are not safe to flush. Cotton products do not break down the way toilet paper does, and they tend to clump together and clog your toilet. They may not cause immediate problems, but over time, your plumbing will become damaged.
3. Menstrual Products
Never flush menstrual products down the toilet. Tampons and pads are designed to absorb water, not break down in it. These products will end up expanding inside your toilet pipes and cause a blockage. It can be costly to resolve the problem.
4. Paper Towels
You may believe that paper towels are similar enough to toilet paper that they can be flushed down the toilet. This is false. Although paper towels are similar to toilet paper, they aren’t designed to break down as toilet paper does. If you need to use paper towels in the bathroom, always dispose of them in your wastebasket and not down the toilet.
5. Dental Floss
Dental floss appears to be a safe thing to flush down the toilet, but in reality, dental floss can become dangerous for your plumbing. That’s because it essentially turns into a net inside your pipes and catches debris going through the pipes. Over time debris will accumulate and cause a significant clog or even burn out the motor of your septic system.
Have a Clogged Toilet?
If it’s too late for your toilet, the experienced plumber at Michael Runk Plumbing and Heating will fix it for you. We provide 24/7 Maryland emergency plumbing services and can get your toilet up and running in no time. Give us a call at 410.781.6791 now to speak to one of our professional plumbing experts.