Toilets are crucial part of a modern plumbing system. And they provide an invaluable service that often goes without notice. Many people take the function of their toilets for granted, not giving them much thought, that is until there is a clog. A clogged toilet can make for a huge plumbing nightmare. Out of all of the drains in your house, the toilet drain is probably the last one you want to clog. That is why it is so important to take the proper precautions when it comes to flushing. Here are 5 things you should never flush down the toilet.
#1 Hair
Hair is the Achilles heel to your drains. It is one of the worst things you could flush down the toilet. Over time, without proper maintenance drains collect all kinds of gunk and debris. When you add hair to the mix, you have a fibrous web that starts to collect and trap other debris and before you know it you have a major clog. To avoid any major plumbing clogs, never flush hair down the toilet.
#2 Paper Products
Paper is another evil villain that afflicts drains with cumbersome clogs. Wipes, diapers, paper towels, and feminine hygiene products are all paper products, which means they all make the list of things to never flush down the toilet. Toilet paper is the only type of paper that should ever be flushed. It is specifically designed to be flushed, and disintegrates in water. Whereas the other above mentioned products do not disintegrate, but expand and collect more moisture. This makes these products a particular danger to your drains, because they can easily get lodged in your drain. Once this happens they start to collect other debris and can form a nightmarish clog, if not in your plumbing system then further down in the public sewer system. Do us all a favor and make sure you dispose of paper products where they belong, in the trashcan.
#3 Kitty Litter
Kitty litter and other substance that you should never flush down the toilet. The moisture collecting and clumping properties of kitty litter, make is problematic for drains, as it will continue to clump and collect moisture once it is flushed. This is not something you want to take place in an area that is supposed to whisk waste away. Obstructions in the flow of waste water can make for a nasty plumbing problem. Avoid any unnecessary clogs, and never flush kitty litter.
#4 Chemicals
All chemicals should be properly disposed of. There are set waste management locations designed specifically to deal with the disposal of chemicals like household cleaners and paint. There is no telling what kind of reaction toxic chemicals could have in your drains and in the sewer system. Toxic substances could not only effect the integrity of your plumbing but also cause harmful damage to the environment. Avid flushing chemicals down the toilet and dispose of them properly.
#5 Medications
Just like with harmful chemicals, medications are another item that you should never flush down the toilet. While medications probably won’t cause any harm to your plumbing system, they could contaminate the water. The FDA recommends medications to be disposed of by taking unused medications to medication take back programs, available in many cities. This will help ensure that unused medications don’t fall into the wrong hands or contaminate drinking water.
Remember, toilets are designed to remove human waste, not trash or anything else that does not disintegrate. For more plumbing tips click here!
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