It may seem like the fastest and easiest way to get rid of something, but your toilet is simply not designed to be a trashcan. Think of your toilet as a gateway to your plumbing system, which includes your drains, pipes and septic tank (if you have one). If you are flushing anything other than human waste and toilet paper down your toilet, your entire plumbing system is at risk. This could result in clogged pipes, damaged pipes, backed up septic tanks and much more.
What NOT to Flush
Even with basic knowledge about what should and should not be flushed, people still think they can get away with using their toilet to eliminate certain materials. These “off limits” materials commonly include the following:
- Baby Wipes
- Hair
- Food (or cooking grease)
- Floss
- Cat litter
- Q-tips
These are substances that may fit down your drain just fine, but that doesn’t mean they were okay to flush. In fact, many of these materials, such as floss, can wreak havoc on your plumbing over time, as more and more flossing threads get tangled up inside your pipes. It is important to educate every member of your family about the rules of flushing, which includes telling your teenager daughter not to clean out her hairbrush over the toilet!
The Risk of Flushing Items Not Biodegradable
If the material or item is not considered biodegradable (capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms), than it poses a threat to your plumbing system. They may take a long time to eventually break down, or they may never fully decompose. This leads to clogs and blockages in your plumbing system. Whether your clog requires a plunger or a professional hydro-jetting service, you are putting your entire plumbing system at risk for more costly repairs down the road. The risk is even more severe if you rely on a septic tank, as the safety of your water and health of your drain field is at stake.
If you are experiencing slow drains or a frequently clogged toilet, contact the experts of Metro Septic and Plumbing. We can conduct an inspection of your pipes and get to the culprit of your plumbing disruptions. Our technicians offer prompt and affordable repairs for all types of toilet issues, including those within both septic and sewer plumbing systems.