What Things Should You Never Flush Down Your Toilet?
Your toilet is not a trash can! Flushing the wrong items can cause serious plumbing issues, costly repairs, and environmental damage. To keep your plumbing system running smoothly, here are some things you should never flush down your toilet.
1. Wet Wipes & Baby Wipes
Even if labeled “flushable,” these wipes do not break down like toilet paper. They can accumulate in your pipes and lead to clogs and blockages.
2. Paper Towels & Tissues
Unlike toilet paper, which is designed to disintegrate quickly in water, paper towels and facial tissues are more absorbent and can cause plumbing backups.
3. Feminine Hygiene Products
Tampons, pads, and other hygiene products are designed to absorb moisture and expand. They do not break down in water and can lead to severe blockages in your sewer system.
4. Cotton Swabs & Cotton Balls
These items do not dissolve and can easily get stuck in pipes, collecting debris and leading to major plumbing issues.
5. Dental Floss
Dental floss is non-biodegradable and can tangle with other debris, forming large clumps that contribute to blockages.
6. Medication
Flushing medications can contaminate water supplies and harm aquatic life. Instead, take unused medication to a pharmacy disposal site.
7. Grease, Oil, & Fat
Though often discarded down kitchen sinks, some people flush grease down the toilet. These substances harden in pipes, leading to stubborn clogs.
8. Hair
Just like it clogs your shower drain, hair can tangle in pipes and create blockages.
9. Diapers
Diapers are designed to absorb moisture and expand. They do not break down in water and can cause severe clogs.
10. Cigarette Butts
Cigarette butts contain toxins that pollute water and do not break down easily, making them hazardous for both plumbing and the environment.
11. Cat Litter
Most cat litter contains clay and sand, which can clog pipes and absorb water, causing blockages. Some brands claim to be flushable, but it’s best to avoid flushing them.
12. Food Waste
Leftover food may seem harmless, but it can swell, attract pests, and contribute to plumbing clogs over time.
Final Thoughts
To avoid costly plumbing repairs and protect the environment, only flush human waste and toilet paper. Dispose of other materials in the trash or through proper disposal methods. A little caution goes a long way in keeping your plumbing system in top shape!
Elite Plumbing of Florida provides plumbing services in Clearwater, Palm Harbor, and Safety Harbor and most of Pinellas County.
For more information, visit our website https://eliteplumbingoffloridallc.com/or call (727) 301-4846.