Simply put, some things are better left in the trash instead of flushed down a toilet. Plumbers are in general agreement that there are some things that should remain unflushed. There are items that can damage your pipes, lead to extensive blockages, and require expensive repairs.
Emergency plumbers discovered 4 things you should never flush down your toilet. Anyone can apply this knowledge to prevent a plumbing emergency. Save yourself time, grief, and money.
4 Things Not To Flush According to Plumbers
By avoiding flushing these items, you can minimize the need to call a local plumber for help. Most of these emergencies are avoidable.
1. “Flushable” Wipes and Other Napkins and Towelettes
While a wipe may say it’s flushable, it doesn’t necessarily mean it should be flushed. Wipes that are advertised as flushable don’t necessarily fully dissolve when flushed. This leads to them wadding and collecting into what is colloquially called “fatbergs.” A fatberg is as disgusting as its name suggests. They’re made from grease collecting around non-organic materials, and they wreak havoc on pipes.
These same kinds of blockages form out of other non-flushable materials like napkins or towelettes. For the general health of your plumbing, we recommend you throw these wipes away instead of flushing them.
2. Grease or Food Scraps
If put down the drain, grease or food scraps can collect in pipes and cause major blockages. Given how liquid grease can solidify in pipes, it’s generally not recommended to dispose of grease down any drain. If you’re not sure how to dispose of grease, store it in a container and throw it away after cooling.
A cardboard milk carton is a good biodegradable option for this method. You can also use repurposed glass containers.
3. Dental Floss or Hair
Long strands like dental floss or hair might seem harmless, but they can easily cause clogs. Similar to the examples above, these strands can accumulate material and eventually block the flow of water.
Blockages like this can lead to leaks or even full plumbing system failure. This leads to further backups. Make sure you regularly clear hair from your shower drain to minimize this risk.
4. Too Much Drano
In general, Drano is a great treatment for certain kinds of clogs (especially grease-based ones). Too much Drano, however, can erode pipes and cause leaks. Always follow the directions on the bottle and only use Drano or products like it when necessary.
For mild clogs, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar can accomplish much of the same thing while being less caustic.
More Advice from Plumbers Near Me
Plumbers recommend paying attention to small warning signs. These signs include frequently running toilets, black rings around the base of the toilet, or odd smells after flushing. They can seem innocuous on their own. If left untreated, however, deeper underlying problems can grow worse.
Ultimately, these issues require replacement or other major action. If you can monitor these signs early on, you can become more aware when a small issue grows into a larger one.
Help From Your Friendly Local Plumbers
For your own sake, we hope you aren’t in a situation where something’s been flushed that shouldn’t have been. If you have, however, Pilgrim Plumbing & Heating is here to assist you in your time of need. Pilgrim Plumbing & Heating handles both routine maintenance issues and emergency plumbing.
Based out of Weymouth, we serve Norell, the South Shore, and the general Norfolk county area with quality plumbing services. If you’re located in the greater Weymouth area and are looking to find emergency plumbers, you’re looking in the right place.