Toilets were not designed to dispose of garbage. Using it as a trash bin can block your sewer line, causing severe plumbing issues that may require expensive repairs or even replacement. Being careful about what you throw into it is a matter of recognizing which materials will not dissolve in water.

Buck’s Plumbing & Sewer Service in Cookeville, TN, has been providing superior sewer and drain cleaning services since 1960. They advise homeowners to be mindful about flushing non-biodegradable waste down the toilet to avoid causing complicated plumbing problems.

Below, they share some of the things you should never flush down the toilet:

• Moisture Wipes: Despite being marketed as flushable wipes, moist towelettes are not meant to be flushed down the toilet. These wipes are just as bad for your sewer line as paper towels and may build up and create clogs.  

• Prescription Medication: Flushing prescription medication may pollute your groundwater supply and cause irreversible damage to the environment. A single pill contains ingredients that can eliminate good bacteria in the wastewater system and contaminate bodies of water as soon as they make it downstream.

• Dental Floss: Flushing dental floss may seem harmless, but it can twine around tiny clogs, making them bigger and causing major blockage in the sewer pipes. Kids are more likely to commit this mistake so be sure to teach them how to properly get rid of used dental floss after cleaning their teeth.

• Cooking Oil & Grease: When cooking oil comes into contact with cold sewer pipes, it will begin to coagulate and solidify, which can block the pipes and hinder wastewater from properly flowing to the waste facilities.

As a general plumbing rule, you should never flush anything other than bodily waste down your toilet. If you still encounter problems with your drains or sewer system and need a reliable plumber, don’t hesitate to call Buck’s Plumbing & Sewer Service at (931) 836-1157. You can also visit their website to learn more about their sewer line installation and other repair services.