Many people tend to use their toilets incorrectly by flushing all kinds of items that should really just be thrown in the trash. Unfortunately, this can cause a plumbing disaster. Over time, these items can collect and form blockages deep within your pipes. These blockages can cause low water pressure, frequently clogged toilets, pipe leaks, overflowing toilets, slow or clogged drains, burst pipes, and other kinds of severe damage to your plumbing system.
To keep your pipes running smoothly, it is important to avoid flushing items that don’t belong. Essentially, your toilets are really only designed to handle human waste and toilet paper. Any other items should really be thrown away.
As a leading plumbing company, we have dealt with countless clogs and can safely say that we’ve seen just about every kind of clog possible.
Some of the most common clog-causing items include:
- Paper towels and tissues: Paper towels and tissues are designed to absorb water, which means that they do not break down as easily as toilet paper. Since they do not dissolve, they can form major clogs in your pipes.
- Feminine hygiene products: Because feminine hygiene products are designed to absorb liquid and expand, flushing them down the toilet is never a good idea. These items can cause serious blockages within your pipes.
- Cotton balls and Q-tips: Cotton balls and swabs do not break down in water, so when they are flushed often, they will build up in your pipes and form serious blockages.
- Wipes that are marketed as “flushable”: Flushable wipes break down very slowly, which means that can quickly form serious clogs within your pipes.
- Hair: As we all know, hair does not dissolve in water. When you flush it, hair tends to stick to the inside of pipes and form buildup and blockages over time.
- Cat litter: Not only can flushing cat litter pollute the water supply, but it can also create major damage to your pipes. Cat litter absorbs water and can form stubborn blockages.
- Baby wipes: Much like any other kind of wipe, baby wipes do not break down in water, which means they will clog your pipes.
- Gum: Gum is sticky and does not break down in water, which means that it will adhere to your pipes and cause major problems for your system.
- Floss: When flushed down the toilet, floss will wrap itself around other items in drains and pipes and causes major problems.
- Cooking oil or grease: Because cooking oil and fats congeal when they cool, flushing them down the toilet can cause a major blockage within your pipes.
If you are currently dealing with a clog or want to learn more ways that you can protect your plumbing system, Meyer’s is here to help. Backed by years of service experience, we have the tools, training, and technology to keep your plumbing system in top shape.
Call (219) 240-0610 or contact us online to learn more about our plumbing services.