Why Not Everything Is Flushable

Toilets are not trash cans or a fun receptacle for toys (despite what your children may assume). Unfortunately, it’s not always just children who attempt to dispose of non-flushable items in toilets. Many people, either out of misguided assumptions about flushing strength, not wanting certain types of waste in bathroom trash cans or laziness, end up attempting to dispose of non-flushable items down toilets. 

Flushing the wrong items can lead to a costly clogged toilet repair and can even damage your home’s sewer line.

What Can’t Be Flushed

Unlike toilet paper, which is designed to disintegrate quickly in water, non-flushable items do not break down as easily. They can get caught and accumulate in your pipes, leading to clogs, blockages and even sewage backups.

Here are some examples of products that should not be flushed down the toilet:

• Wipes: Despite some wipes being labeled as "flushable," they do not disintegrate like toilet paper and can accumulate in pipes, causing clogs and blockages.
• Paper Towels: These thicker materials are designed to be absorbent and do not break down easily in water and can lead to plumbing issues if flushed down the toilet.
• Hygiene Products: Items like tampons, pads and cotton balls should never be flushed, as they can expand and cause blockages in the pipes.
• Dental Floss: Dental floss does not break down in water and can wrap around other debris, contributing to clogs and backups in the plumbing system.
• Cotton Swabs: These items can become lodged in pipes and contribute to blockages, especially if they accumulate over time.
• Condoms: Condoms do not break down in water and can cause clogs and blockages in the plumbing system if flushed.
• Grease and Oils: Pouring grease and oils down the drain can lead to buildup in pipes, resulting in clogs and blockages.

While it may be tempting to flush these products down the toilet for quick disposal, these items can cause serious damage to your plumbing system and should always be disposed of in the trash.

What Should You Do If Something Non-Flushable Causes a Clog?

Once something gets stuck after being flushed, you’ll need to take steps to attempt to retrieve and remove it. There are a couple of things homeowners can try, but in many cases, you’ll need to call a plumber.

• Do not continue flushing: Some people think if they keep trying to flush, whatever is caught will eventually get pushed through. This typically doesn’t work, and continued flushing just increases the risk of overflows and water damage.
  
  
• Turn off the water: If the toilet is at risk of overflowing you should shut off the water supply to the toilet (valve located near the base of the toilet).
  
  
• Plunging: Flange plungers may be able to dislodge whatever is stuck, but how effective this is will depend on the object and how far it has traveled.
  
  
• Toilet augers: These may be the most effective tool since it has a long and flexible shaft that can be extended down the pipe to grab and extract whatever was flushed. Most people don’t have one of these at home, and there is a risk of damaging pipes if used incorrectly or roughly. Rather than going out and buying one, it’s likely best to just call a plumber who has the tools, experience and deft skills to retrieve the flushable item and restore your toilet function.

If something valuable or important, like keys or jewelry, gets flushed, you are likely best served by calling a plumber. The item may still be in the toilet’s U-trap or elsewhere in the home’s plumbing system. A plumber may be able to reach it and retrieve it.

Preventing Costly Clogged Toilet Repairs

Flushing non-flushable items can result in costly clogged toilet repairs for homeowners. Clogged pipes and sewage backups usually result in emergency plumbing calls, which can be very expensive.

By avoiding the temptation to flush non-flushable items down the toilet, homeowners can prevent these costly repairs and maintain a smoothly functioning plumbing system.

Get Reliable Assistance From Our Arlington Plumbers Today

By avoiding the temptation to flush non-flushable items, homeowners can prevent costly repairs, minimize environmental pollution and ensure the long-term sustainability of their plumbing infrastructure.

If you’re looking for plumbing assistance in Tarrant County, our team at Tom’s Mechanical Inc. is here for your clogged toilet. Contact us now for immediate service at (817) 277-4493.