Feminine Products, Wipes and Other Products Can Cause Sewer Clogs
The only things you should be flushing down your toilet are human waste and toilet paper. Everything else is a clogging hazard—even if the product packaging says an item is “flushable.” “Flushable” products, from baby wipes to kitty litter, simply mean that they’re biodegradable. They can still clog your sewer line, leaving behind a nasty, expensive mess.
The best way to prevent clogs is to be vigilant about what’s flushed down the toilet, and that goes double if you have any young children in your household. Here’s why you shouldn’t flush feminine products in Conway, SC.
Absorbent products cause clogs
The main feature of tampons and other feminine hygiene products is also the reason they contribute to sewer clogs in Conway, SC. They’re designed to be super absorbent, which means that when they’re exposed to liquid, they expand. Products that have plastic backings, like pads, are even worse for your toilet. The plastic will not break down over time and is more likely to clog your pipes.
If you don’t notice a clog right away, you might assume that your pipes can handle the tampons or other products, and there’s no issue. Unfortunately, that’s not the case—they can get stuck in your pipes, causing a partial clog. It’s not as obvious, but if you keep adding to the clog, eventually your plumbing will back up and overflow.
Although most feminine hygiene products and baby wipes are designed to be biodegradable, no one ever thinks about how long it takes for those products to break down. Tampons take up to six months to degrade, despite water and other substances running past them whenever you flush.
Even if your feminine hygiene products or baby wipes somehow make it past your plumbing, they’ll still end up in a wastewater treatment plant to be filtered out and disposed of. Even if it’s more convenient for you, it’s not a good thing for the environment or the people who have to deal with your waste.
Dispose properly for best results
The best way to keep your toilet clog-free is to throw your feminine products in the trash. Wrap them up in toilet paper or provided plastic wrappers and toss them in the garbage—just remember to take the trash out regularly to prevent any odors.
Similarly, if you’re trying to flush baby wipes, kitty litter or other products, follow the same procedure. Toss cat litter in a plastic bag before throwing it in the trash. For baby wipes, use a covered trash can and liner.
Keeping your plumbing free of sewer clogs in Conway, SC is just a matter of making it easy to dispose of your waste properly. Everyone makes mistakes once in a while, but regularly flushing anything but human waste and toilet paper is bound to cause problems for your plumbing system (and your bank account).
If you’re dealing with plumbing problems, don’t delay—call Rooter Express. We’re on call to help fix your clogged sewer lines and other plumbing issues!
Categorised in: Sewer Line Camera Inspections