What Items Should One Never Flush Down the Loo?

Learn about the items you should never flush down your toilet to avoid costly maintenance and possible toilet overflow.

Have you ever had a clogged or overflowing toilet and didn’t know what to do? Chances are, you probably just flushed something down the loo that you shouldn’t have & it’s caused a sewage backup. It’s no secret that flushing certain items down the loo can create severe problems for your home’s plumbing system.

But what are those items, exactly? And more importantly, how can you avoid flushing them and causing yourself all sorts of extra trouble? In this blog post, 1-800 WATER DAMAGE, will look at some of the most typical things people flush down the toilet – and why you should never do it! Stay safe and avoid plumbing disasters – read on to find out more.

Flushed Items Leading To Sewage Backup

So, here are some of the most typical items that people flush down the toilet, then wonder why their home’s plumbing just went under.

1.   Baby Wipes

Even if the package says that they’re “flushable,” baby wipes are one of the worst things that you can put down your toilet. That’s because they don’t break down as toilet paper does – and over time, they can cause major clogs in your pipes.

2.   Cotton Balls

Cotton balls may seem harmless enough, but they can actually do a lot of damage to your pipes. Like baby wipes, they don’t break down quickly and can clump together to form clogs.

3.   Paper Towels

Paper towels may seem like they would break down quickly, but they actually don’t. And even if they did, it would still be a bad idea to flush because they can absorb water and cause clogs. If you need to dispose of a paper towel, throw it in the trashcan.

4.   Sanitary Napkins

Sanitary napkins are made of absorbent material, which means they can expand when they come into contact with water. This can cause serious clogs, so it’s best to avoid flushing them down the toilet. If you need to dispose of a sanitary napkin, put it in the trashcan.

5.   Tampons

Like sanitary napkins, tampons are made of absorbent material and can increase in volume when flushed. This can cause clogs, so it’s best to avoid flushing them down the toilet. If you need to dispose of a tampon, put it in the trashcan.

Implications Of A Sewage Backup

It is an understood fact that toilets – regardless of place – can be unsanitary past the u-bend. Any clog in the making is essentially a congealed, organic mass of pathogenic potential. With a sewage backup, you & your loved ones risk exposure to disease-causing germs or infections.

If not that, a backup can also cause a lot of water damage to your bathroom furniture & flooring. Please try to avoid flushing non-biodegradable items down the toilet.

Restoration Services for Overflowing Loos in York, PA

If you’ve followed our advice and avoided flushing the above items, you shouldn’t have to worry about an overflowing toilet. But if you do find yourself in this predicament, request a service with our experts at 1-800 WATER DAMAGE of Harrisburg, PA.

We’re experts in water damage restoration serving in York, PA, and can help you get your home back to normal in no time. We know that time is the most important factor for water damage, so we’ll respond quickly and get to work right away!