Proper plumbing care starts with what goes down the drain. Flushing the wrong items can cause stubborn clogs and costly repairs. To help you maintain a smooth-running plumbing system, here’s a list of common items that should never be flushed.
1. Dental Floss
It may seem small and harmless, but dental floss is non-biodegradable. It tangles with toilet paper and other debris, creating rope-like clogs that are difficult to clear.
2. Contact Lenses
Because contact lenses don’t dissolve, they can break down into harmful microplastics that pollute waterways and build up in your pipes. Dispose of them in the trash to keep your plumbing and the environment clean.
3. Feminine Products
Tampons and pads are designed to absorb liquid and expand, making them the perfect recipe for clogged pipes.
4. “Flushable” Wipes
The label may say flushable, but these wipes don’t break down quickly like toilet paper. Over time, they can cause blockages and even damage septic systems.
5. Q-Tips
Cotton swabs don’t dissolve and often clump together in pipes, creating problematic obstructions.
6. Fish
Fish should never be flushed. They’re not “going to a better place,” they’re just going to clog your pipes! Additionally, they can even carry harmful bacteria into waterways.
7. Kleenex & Paper Towels
Unlike toilet paper, these paper products are designed to stay strong when wet, making them slow to break down and prone to causing clogs.
8. Band-Aids
Most adhesive bandages are made from plastic, which doesn’t biodegrade and can stick to the walls of pipes.
9. Chewing Gum
Gum is sticky and insoluble, meaning it can easily cling to pipes and collect passing debris over time.
When in Doubt, Throw It Out
A good rule of thumb: your toilet should only handle human waste and toilet paper. Everything else should go in the trash. If you run into a clog or have a backup, Action Plumbing is here for you 24/7 with our emergency plumbing services. We take action; you get peace of mind.