The invention of the toilet bowl flush was groundbreaking, and it has dramatically benefited humankind. With just a single push or pull, the waste goes straight down the drain and away, never to be seen again. But most of the time, the power of the toilet flush is overestimated. People often think they can just throw anything in the bowl and flush it all down without any serious repercussions. Even the smallest objects can cause clogged pipes, leaving you with potentially serious plumbing problems.
It’s best to remember what toilets and plumbing systems were designed for. No matter how powerful the flush on your new toilet may seem, it doesn’t mean you can throw whatever you want in there. Here are some of the worst things to flush down your toilet:
Paper Towels
Many people assume that paper towels are the same as toilet paper. The truth is, they are very different. Paper towels are designed to be much thicker and sturdier, and they do not break down in the water the way toilet paper does.
If you’re left with no choice but to use paper towels in the bathroom, dispose of them in a trash can afterward. Otherwise, you will eventually need to call in professionals to repair your clogged toilet.
Baby Wipes
Baby wipes can provide a cleaner feeling after you use the toilet session, and for many people, it goes hand-in-hand with toilet paper. Unfortunately, much like paper towels, baby wipes do not break down as quickly as toilet paper.
Even if the label says that your baby wipes are flushable, you should not take the chance of flushing them down the toilet. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so throw them in the wastebasket instead.
Menstrual Products
Menstrual pads and tampons are designed and manufactured to absorb liquids, not to dissolve in them. They will only expand because of their absorbent properties. Practically speaking, pads will barely fit inside the toilet’s plumbing, and tampons can get stuck in the pipe elbows.
Dental Floss and Hair
String-like objects should never be thrown and flushed down the toilet because they can clump together like a net and catch and hold the waste meant to pass through the pipes. Additionally, these items do not break down easily, and they can stick around for quite a long while. Again, just throw them in the wastebasket unless you want to call for a burst pipe repair.
Medication and Cigarette Butts
Even if these things are small in size, they can still clog your toilet because they do not break down in the water. What’s worse is they can cause serious environmental damage because of their toxic components. Dispose of your old pills and cigarette butts straight into the trash can.
Chewing Gum
This is one of the worst things to throw down the toilet because it is sticky and insoluble. Chewing gum retains its stickiness even when in water for an extended period. If it remains within your pipes, other objects going down the drain can get stuck in it. This will lead to significant clogging that will likely be a hassle to repair.
Conclusion
Most of the objects that can hurt your plumbing system, whether it be through your toilet, sink, or shower drain, are things that do not dissolve in water. These things remain in your pipes and are likely to cause clogging over time. For this reason, you should dispose of these objects via the trash can and not into your toilet.
In case of a clogged toilet or other drains, for that matter, we in ServiceProz are prepared to fix your residential plumbing problems with the best service possible. We also provide services for ensuring the quality indoor air of your home for you and your family. Call us today at (903) 212-7769!
