What Not to Flush Down Your Toilet

You may not think twice about what you flush down your toilet, but in the case that you accidentally flush something that could cause damage, you’ll quickly be searching for who offers plumbing services near Northbrook. Traditional toilet paper is utilized so often for a reason, as products like flushable wipes seem like a good idea, but they can end up causing issues with your plumbing system.

Here’s a list of other household items that you shouldn’t flush down the toilet.

Baby Wipes

Close enough to a piece of toilet paper, right? Unfortunately, this is not the case. Although the packaging on many baby wipes says that they are safe to flush down the toilet, they frequently cause clogs. The “flushable” wipes are supposed to disintegrate the same way that toilet paper does, but they often don’t fully do so while in your system.

Q-Tips & Cotton Pads

Both Q-tips and cotton pads may seem like they will disintegrate in your pipes, but this isn’t the case. They mainly clump together to create blockage that can be frustrating to get out.

Dental Floss

Something seemingly harmless like dental floss may seem harmless enough to flush down your toilet, but we don’t recommend doing so! In fact, it can even cause environmental damage as it turns into a nest that catches and holds onto different debris. It may also wrap around parts of your septic system and burn the motor out. It’s best to avoid this risk altogether and use the garbage can when throwing out your floss.

Feminine Products

Believe it or not, feminine products such as tampons or pads shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet. These products are designed to absorb water, so once they are in your pipes, they will expand and have the potential to cause blockages.

Medication

Many people are tempted to flush old medications that they no longer use. However, toilet water doesn’t break down medications properly, so the medication ends up causing water to become toxic. Help protect the environment and avoid flushing medicine down the toilet.

Hair

Similar to floss, hair also has the potential to create a net and get caught in your plumbing system. It also doesn’t dissolve regardless of how long it sits in your system. Opt for tossing hair in the trash can instead.

Our team at BMW Plumbing, Inc. is committed to providing you with high-quality plumbing services. In the case that you believe you have a blockage, it’s best to let our professionals handle the problem. Call us today to get started!