At one point or another, you may experience a clogged toilet because of various reasons. However, the most common reason for a toilet blockage is flushing down things that should never go down in it. This article lists down some of the things that you should never flush down your toilet to prevent clogging and any other major toilet issues.
Paper Towels and “Flushable” Wet Wipes
One of the primary things that you should never flush down your toilet is a paper towel. There are instances wherein you may be tempted to use a paper towel in case you run out of toilet paper. But keep in mind that paper towels are designed to absorb water and not dissolve in it as toilet paper does. Hence, it will most likely cause a clog on your toilet later on.
The experts in toilet repair Sydney locals rely on also warn about the use of “flushable” wet wipes. The reason behind this is that even if the label in the package indicates that it can be flushed down your toilet, the truth is that these wipes fail to break down immediately. As a result, they can still end up getting stuck on your toilet pipes and drains, eventually causing clogs.
Cotton Balls or Swabs
Make sure that you don’t flush your cotton balls or swabs down your toilet as well. While they may seem to be too small enough to be flushed down your drain, they don’t break down as toilet paper does. Rather, they might eventually cause a build-up inside your pipeline, causing a massive blockage in your drain.
Feminine Hygiene Products
Another thing that should never go down your toilet is feminine hygiene products. As much as possible, you should have a trash bin in your restroom where these should directly go after use. Tampons, sanitary pads, as well as other feminine hygiene products can even expand and become many times larger than their original size. When they do, they can cause a significant block in your drain, or worse, they can even cause water to back up.
Bandages
After a bandage has been used, make sure that it is thrown away properly in the trash bin where it should be disposed of. Never attempt to flush used bandages down your toilet if you don’t want to cause any clogging. The reason behind this is that these bandages are usually made from non-biodegradable plastics that can not only cause a blockage in your drain, but can also pollute your water system. The sticky part of the bandage can even attract other elements or adhere to other items, potentially causing an even bigger clog.
The Bottomline
The items listed above are only some of the things that you should never flush down your toilet if you want to prevent the risk of clogging. Keep in mind that the only things that should go down your toilet are human wastes and toilet paper. Rest assured that in the unfortunate event that you encounter any toilet clogging problems, there will always be a reliable and seasoned plumber who will be able to help you.