As plumbers in Waldorf, MD, we fix all kinds of plumbing issues with toilets and clogged sewage drains. The majority of these issues are direct results of people flushing things down the toilet that they should not. Enjoy the beautiful Waldorf spring weather and the city’s cherry blossoms instead of having to deal with a blocked-up toilet. Here are seven things that you should never flush down the toilet.
1. Baby Wipes and So-Called “Flushable Wipes”
Wipes are one of the top causes of clogged sewage lines. Baby wipes and those labeled as “flushable” should not be put down the toilet. These wipes do not disintegrate as fast as regular toilet paper and cause clogs. Always throw wipes, no matter what kind, into the trash bin.
2. Feminine Products
Feminine products, such as pads and tampons, are designed to absorb water and to break down very slowly. These products can swell once in the sewer line and will begin to collect and cause a clog.
3. Q-tips and Cotton Balls
Any cotton product, such as cotton balls, cotton pads, and Q-tips, do not break down. Instead, they clump together. This causes issues in your pipes and can result in clogs, leaks, and potentially a burst sewer line. You can easily avoid this issue by not flushing these items down your toilet. Throw them in the trash bin.
4. Condoms
As tempting as it is, you should never flush condoms down the toilet. They are typically made of latex that does not break down, and they will cause serious issues in toilets, sewage lines, and septic tanks.
5. Diapers
Like feminine products, diapers are also designed to be absorbent, but they are much larger and will likely cause issues with your toilet immediately after trying to flush it. Diapers actually take a very long time to break down, so even if they do make it to the main sewer line or septic tank, they will still cause problems down the road. Save yourself the trouble, and just throw dirty diapers in the trash bin.
6. Paper Towels
A lot of people think that because paper towels are made of paper, they are safe to flush. However, this is not the case. They do not break down like toilet paper and are not designed for sewage systems or septic tanks.
7. Cat Litter
Cat litter is tempting to just dump in the toilet and flush away. However, cat litter sticks to the pipes and causes clogs. There isn’t enough water flow in a toilet to keep the cat litter moving. Additionally, it makes it hard for water treatment facilities to deal with.
Trust Us for All Your Plumbing Needs
The above items are just a few of the things you should never flush down the toilet. In reality, the only thing that should be flushed is human waste and toilet paper. Everything else should be thrown into the trash bin.
At A Better Plumber, we can help you with any plumbing need you have, whether it be a clogged toilet or sewer line, a gas line repair, or a leak. Call us today to learn more about our comprehensive plumbing services!
