Can Flushable Wipes Cause Clogged Drains?

Sometimes we trust products despite our better judgment. One product that many people have come to trust and rely upon is the flushable wipe. Flushable wipes claim to provide the best of two worlds. Supposedly, they are the perfect combination of the cleaning power of moist towelettes and the disposability of toilet paper. However, while their cleaning power lives up to its billing, claims that they’re as flushable as toilet paper have been exaggerated.

In fact, flushable wipes are an item that people should avoid flushing down their toilets at all costs. Unlike toilet paper, flushable wipes don’t break apart and disintegrate when they get wet, which can make it difficult for them to travel through your plumbing system. This can result in flushable wipes clogging your pipes and damaging your plumbing.

In addition, even if flushable wipes don’t clog your pipes, because they don’t disintegrate, they have trouble passing through your septic system. As more flushable wipes gather in your septic system, it can result in clogs that damage it, which can lead to expensive repairs.

What Are Other Things That Shouldn’t Be Flushed Down the Toilet?

Flushable wipes aren’t the only thing that should never be flushed down the toilet. In addition, the following are a few items that you should never use your toilet to get rid of:

• Bleach – The chemicals in bleach are harsh and can damage your pipes and septic system.
• Grease – Grease should never be poured down your drains or flushed down your toilet. If it gets into your plumbing, it congeals, which makes it thick. Thick grease can clog your pipes.
• Dental Floss and Hair – When hair and dental floss are flushed down the toilet, they can get caught in your pipes. Floss and hair don’t dissolve, so over time as more hair and floss is flushed down your toilet, it can lead to clogs forming.
• Cat Litter – Even if a brand of cat litter says it’s flushable, you should not flush it down your toilet. Your toilet may not have enough water or water pressure to move cat litter through your pipes, which can result in it collecting and forming a clog. Plus, cat litter from litter boxes dehydrates cat waste. Dehydrated cat waste isn’t water soluble, which can lead to it clogging pipes.
• Tissues and Paper Towels – Paper towels and tissues don’t break down and dissolve like toilet paper does, so when you flush them, it’s likely that they will eventually clog your toilet and/or pipes.

Need Help with a Clogged Toilet? Contact Our Experienced Plumbers Today!

Depending on how many toilets are in a home or business, and how many people share those toilets, there are few plumbing problems that rise to emergency status more quickly than a clogged toilet. At Meyer’s, we understand how crucial it can be to fix a clogged toilet as soon as possible. We have been helping residential and commercial customers in Northwest Indiana and Southland Chicago with their plumbing problems since 1951.

Our plumbers are uniformed, insured, and licensed, and we offer upfront pricing, so our customers never have to worry about surprise charges.

To learn more about Meyer’s, check out our customers’ reviews.

Give us a call at (219) 240-0610 or reach out to us online to speak with our experienced plumbers about your clogged toilet, or any other plumbing issues plaguing your home or business. We can help with plumbing emergencies 24/7. Ask us about our coupons and affordable financing options.