If you’ve ever used flushable wipes, you may think they don’t cause problems in your system. Even though they’re advertised as flushable, these wipes can clog your pipes and damage them along the way. Not only can they harm your bathroom plumbing, but they can also create problems for your city’s sewer system.
Before an issue occurs, you can start practicing safe plumbing techniques to protect your residential plumbing system. Gotelli Plumbing is here to inform you about why you shouldn’t flush “flushable” wipes! Read ahead to learn how these wipes can harm your fixtures and learn what else you should avoid flushing down your toilet.
How Can Flushable Wipes Create A Toilet Clog?
Flushable wipes are made from a material that is harder to break down compared to your average toilet paper. They are durable, and even though they can flush down your pipes without any issues, you could find them in sewer pipes and municipal sewage treatment plants. With enough wipes in your system, it can create a toilet clog.
The best way to avoid plumbing issues from flushable wipes is to dispose of them in a sanitary and safe manner. Just like you may have a particular trash can for baby diapers, flushable wipes should be stored away in a trashcan until it’s ready to throw out.
What Other Items Can Cause Clogs?
Homeowners flush many objects down the toilet because they seem small or flimsy enough to break down. These items can still cause problems in your plumbing system. A few of these items can be found in your bathroom, many of which should be thrown away in a trash can.
Cotton Or Paper Tools
When you’re getting ready in your bathroom, you may think it’s safe to flush down your used beauty care tools. No matter how small they are, they can still cause clogging in your fixtures. A few objects to avoid flushing are:
- Cotton swabs
- Cotton pads
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
These items should be disposed of in a trash can because they cannot break down from water alone. If they travel further into your plumbing system, they could end up at a treatment facility. You can avoid any harsh damage to your system by keeping these items away from your toilet.
Menstrual Products
Any menstrual products should be disposed of properly in a trash can. By their very nature, these materials are intended to absorb liquids, making them problematic in your pipes where water is supposed to flow. These items can damage your pipes and clog your system. You should always wrap up these products in a sanitary bag before disposing of them in a trash can.
Hair
Hair is known to clog all kinds of plumbing appliances in your home. It can create balls in your pipes, which won’t break down easily. This can clog your system and create unpleasant odors as it traps objects from passing through. Make sure to throw away the hair in a trash can after cleaning your hair brushes.
Let Our Professionals Repair Your Plumbing In Marin County
If you want to know how to fix a clogged toilet, our team can get the job done. At Gotelli Plumbing, we’re here to repair clogged systems that fall victim to non-flushable objects or damaged pipes. Contact us for a reliable plumbing job today!