Things That Cause Problems When Flushed Down The Toilet

The toilet is one of the most commonly used appliances in any home, and sometimes human waste isn't the only thing people are flushing in there. Unconsciously washing the wrong items in the toilet can lead to blockage, which calls for repairs. This on its own can set you back a few hundred dollars to fix without even mentioning the inconvenience it ends up causing.

Judging the items you're flushing down the toilet based on their texture and size is the wrong thing to do. For this reason, you and your household members need to know what shouldn't be flushed down the toilet. Here are some of the things that will end up causing problems whenever flushed down the toilet:

1. Condoms 

Although they might seem so small and completely harmless to flush down the toilet, they are not. Flushing down condoms will likely cause severe problems to your toilet or septic tank. It's advisable to use toilet paper to wrap and dispose of your condoms discreetly in the bin or trash can. This is because condoms are made of latex material that doesn't decompose quickly or mix well with pipe systems. 

So when you flush them down the toilet, they're likely to end up getting stuck in your plumbing system and causing a blockage to your toilet. It's important to call recommended septic experts in these instances to avoid further damage. They will also advise you against flushing other non-decomposable items down the toilet.

2. Bandages, cotton swabs, and tampons 

These three are personal items that most people commonly flush down the toilet and which should stop. Tiny cotton swabs might seem innocent and harmless, but they stick on piping systems which eventually leads to a blockage. 

Most bandages are also made from non-biodegradable plastic, which makes them equally harmful to your septic tank and the environment. While some tampons eventually break down in the water, they still shouldn't be flushed down the toilet. 

This is because it's not known how long they take to break down. For this reason, it's better to wrap them in toilet paper and dispose of them in a bathroom trash can.

3. Food and chewing gums 

Chewing gum is one of the worst things you can flush down your toilet. This is because gum doesn't dissolve in water and is known to stick on almost everything you try to flush it with. 

Unfortunately, leftover foods are also some of the things that will cause a severe problem to your toilet when flushed down. 

4. Hair and dental floss 

While tiny strands of your hair might seem easily flushable in the toilet they are not. Unfortunately, this is the same case for that dental floss you're planning to spit in the toilet. This is because both your hair and dental floss are not made from any known degradable material; hence they are likely to stick to your plumbing system over time. This will end up causing a severe clog to your toilet, which might be unnecessarily costly to fix.

5. Cigarettes 

You might be looking at that tiny cigarette bud and thinking that it can't cause any severe damage when flushed down the toilet. If you think so, you're wrong. This is because cigarettes are made up of toxic chemicals like carcinogens that might negatively impact your plumbing system's water supply. 

And like dental floss, cigarettes are also made from non-biodegradable material, which means they can quickly get stuck in your pipe systems and cause a severe and costly blockage. So ensure that when you're done with your cigarettes, the buds stay in your ashtray.

6. Paper towels and wipes 

While most manufacturers like to add the tag 'flushable' on their sanitary wipes, this doesn't mean they are easily flushable. Unlike toilet paper, paper towels do not break down easily in water, and when flushed down, they can lead to a clogged toilet. 

After collecting the water and messes on your surfaces, ensure that you dispose of them in a bin or trash can. When you keep flushing them down the toilet, they are bound to cause you serious plumbing problems. 

7. Grease and oils 

Like chewing gum and your leftover foods, you should never flush any oils or grease down the toilet. They might seem like liquids right now, but they are bound to cool and transform to solid wax when they come in contact with water. This wax will lead to a severe blockage that will have you looking for a plumber. 

The above items are a few from a long list of things you should never flush down your toilet. It's essential to take precautions on what you're flushing down your toilet to avoid incurring additional expenses on a plumber. 

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