The toilet is meant for disposing of human waste, but it often is used to flush things that might cause serious harm to not only your commercial or residential plumbing but water treatment plants and the environment. The experts at Plumb-Rite Plumbing in Kalispell, MT, have dealt with clogs, backups, and other ill-effects of improper items being flushed, and they share advice about things that never should go down a toilet drain.

Residential Plumbing Tips: 5 Things You Shouldn’t Flush

Tampons & Sanitary Napkins

These products are designed to absorb moisture and expand. Even though some are advertised as flushable, doing so increases your risk of clogged drains. 

Condoms

These latex products swell with water when they’re flushed, often blocking drains and pipes.

Medication

Medications shouldn’t damage your residential plumbing, but they will contaminate the water supply. Check to see if your neighborhood pharmacy has a drug “take-back" program, or read the label to see if there are instructions for disposing of unused medication.

Cigarette Butts

Flushing cigarette butts causes damage in more ways than one. It not only exposes the water supply to toxic chemicals but wastes water because it usually takes more than one flush to send cigarette butts down the drain.

Hair

Hair tends to clog everything it gets into, like the drain in your shower or sink. Disposing of it in the toilet is just as likely to block your pipes and cause problems, so put it in the wastebasket instead.

If you have trouble with your residential plumbing in Montana’s Flathead Valley region, call Plumb-Rite Plumbing at (406) 257-7795. Their emergency service is available 24/7, so a plumber always will be available when you need one. Visit their website for more information about their services, including hydro jetting and sewer cleaning.