Flush Smart – What You Can and Should Not Put Down the Toilet
It’s nicknamed the “porcelain throne,” but the truth is we don’t give our toilet the royal treatment. Far too often, we flush items that have no business going down the toilet drain. This can lead to all sorts of plumbing issues, from a simple toilet clog to a major sewage line blockage to a septic tank backup.
Are you ready to be a smarter flusher? Then follow these guidelines of what’s flushable and what’s not.
What can be flushed down a toilet
This list is pretty short and sweet:
- Human waste
- Toilet paper
It’s important to understand that toilet paper is specially made to disintegrate in water so it doesn’t collect and cause a blockage in the plumbing system. If your toilet tends to clog often, then you may want to go with a 1-ply product rather than a 2- or 3-ply TP that won’t break down as quickly.
What shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet
The short answer is: everything else. Here is a list of common items that are flushed down the toilet – but they shouldn’t be because they aren’t designed to disintegrate in water like toilet paper.
- Paper towels
- Tissues
- Napkins
- Baby wipes
- Dental floss
- Cotton balls
- Tampons
- Diapers
- Any plastic materials
- Medicines
- Food products
- Fats, oils, and greases
A word about wipes
Just because a product has the word “flushable” on the package, it doesn’t mean that it’s actually safe for the toilet or your plumbing system. For example, bathroom wipes have become popular over the past few years because they clean better than regular toilet paper. However, these so-called flushable wipes are causing major damage to all types of plumbing systems – at home, in office buildings, and municipal sewer lines. This issue was recently covered on the Today Show.
Professional plumbers in Schererville
If you take good care of your toilet, it will take care of you. But if happen to run into a plumbing problem – large or small – take care of it by calling the professionals at Reichelt Plumbing. To speak with a member of our friendly team, call 219-322-4906 today.