While it’s easy to view the toilet as a free-for-all place to dump and flush anything, it’s actually risky to do so. Many items dubbed “flushable” aren’t as flushable as you think and can cause serious septic problems while some are downright toxic to the environment. Here are a few things you should never flush down the toilet.

1. Flushable Hygiene Wipes and Baby Wipes

Reports pour in from water collection and processing sites citing multiple complications related to the use of adult and baby wipes touted as flushable. It appears that being “flushable” only means that it will go down the toilet, and it is expected that such wipes will soon be labeled with a do-not-flush warning.

Home and business owners also experience problems on their end of the loo, with problems ranging from line clogs to serious and expensive issues such as sewage water backups to damage to the septic system itself. Use good judgement by putting all wipes for cosmetic removal or hygienic purposes into a trash can.

2. Feminine Products

While they are a necessity for many women, feminine products like pads and tampons are harmful to most plumbing systems. These products are not easily broken down, if at all, and thus can wreak havoc as they make their way through pipes to the water treatment facility. Even those that transfer to the water processing plant are often trapped in catcher screens, which can cause backups in the pipes and overflow of water into the environment.

3. Tissues and Paper Towels

Ideally, more individuals would make the swap to washable rags and cloths in lieu of tissues and paper towels, as they are harmful to the environment and certainly don’t belong in toilet and plumbing lines. Many of these paper products have fibers made of plastic that don’t dissolve like toilet paper, so toss them in the trash instead of flushing.

4. Cat Litter

The short-lived dream of being able to get rid of stinky kitty poos fast by using flushable cat litter are over. These litters labeled as “flushable” have been shown through testing as being harmful to septic systems. After all, clumping litters will clump in your pipes, resulting in clogs and sewage backups.

5. Prescription Pills and OTC Medications

Unfinished prescriptions and outdated over-the counter medicines seem easy to get out of harm’s way via flushing them down the toilet. Unfortunately, this has a toxic effect on groundwater resources and even wildlife.

Keep in mind, that much of the water flushed is cleaned and returned to the system as potable water. Consider taking advantage of specific return days at pharmacies in your community or ask your physician about proper pill disposal.

Having Plumbing Issues Despite Your Efforts? Call Knights Mechanical Today

Even with the best precautions being taken, plumbing problems may still come to light. Reach out to the Knight’s Mechanical team at 270-765-4141 if you need plumbing assistance in the Elizabethtown, Kentucky, area.

 

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