The toilet may seem like an instant, easy trash can, but its pipe system is delicate. In fact, there are many items you should never try to flush away or wash down a drain. The team at Sewer Solutions gets a lot of calls from surprised clients who have clogged their residential or commercial plumbing with something they thought they could flush in Hilo, HI. They share some of the common culprits below.

Residential & Commercial Plumbing: What Not to Flush

1. Sanitary Wipes

People tend to think they can flush sanitary wipes because they are labeled as flushable. However, while they do dissolve in water, they don’t disintegrate as quickly as toilet paper does. When too many of these wipes are used at once or if the system is weak, they will cause a clog.

2. Floss

Floss is thin, so you may think it won’t cause a problem in the pipes. However, it should always be thrown away. While it’s a small string, it’s not degradable or dissolvable. The floss can get tangled up and will catch onto anything it passes in the pipe, quickly causing a blockage. 

3. Feminine Hygiene Products

Feminine hygiene products should never be flushed. These items are designed to absorb moisture, so when they are put into the toilet, they will keep soaking up water. They will create a full blockage all on their own due to how much they can expand.

4. Cotton Balls

Similar to feminine hygiene products, cotton soaks up water. These can then get caught in the bend of the plumbing or on something else that is already stuck in there, leading to clogs.

If you only flush human waste and toilet paper, you’re on a good track to keep your pipes in top condition. However, if you do get a clog in your residential or commercial plumbing, contact Sewer Solutions at (808) 430-2323 to schedule repair services. Their knowledgeable team will also help with everything from septic tank installations to sewer pumping.