Do’s And Don’ts Of Flushing

If you were to ask our experienced Handyside plumbers, they’d readily confirm that people frequently attempt to flush items down the toilet that should never find their way into the drain. With their fair share of unclogging toilet drain pipes, our plumbers have a comprehensive list of the most problematic items folks attempt to flush. To save yourself the hassle of a plumbing bill, make it a rule to never flush any of the following items down your toilet.

1. Paper Towels

While it might seem convenient to dispose of a paper towel in the toilet after cleaning up a bathroom spill, think about those paper towel commercials that proudly highlight their strength and absorbency – top two reasons why flushing them is not a good idea!

2. Feminine Hygiene Products

Did you ever wonder why public bathrooms frequently display signs cautioning against flushing feminine hygiene products down the toilet? It’s because tampons and pads are engineered to be incredibly absorbent, and they expand as they become wet. The last thing you want is for them to swell up within your drain pipe.

3. Condoms

Plumbers dread extracting condoms from toilet drains the most. Latex condoms take years to decompose, and even if they manage to pass through your drain pipe, they can still pose problems for your city’s wastewater treatment system.

4. Floss

Long lengths of dental floss have a tendency to entangle with other objects, forming stringy balls that can lead to blockages by accumulating additional debris.

5. Cotton Swabs

Dispose of used cotton swabs in the trash instead of flushing them, as they can become lodged in the drain pipe, creating a small dam that blocks the flow of other items down the drain.

6. Hair

When you remove those hair clumps from your brush, it’s best to dispose of them in the trash, not the toilet. Hair doesn’t dissolve and can exacerbate even minor blockages in your drain pipes.

7. Too Much Toilet Paper

Thicker, multi-ply, plush toilet paper has the drawback of taking a bit longer to dissolve. If you find yourself needing to use a substantial amount, consider flushing in smaller batches rather than attempting to send it all down the drain at once.

Summary

If you find yourself in a situation where you’ve already flushed these items down your toilet, don’t hesitate to contact a Handyside plumber if you’re experiencing drainage issues. However, if your plumbing is still functioning smoothly, consider yourself fortunate and make the wise choice to avoid flushing these items in the future.