wxEven if your toilet has a powerful flush, it should only be used to eliminate human waste. By flushing items that aren’t meant to go down the toilet, you may end up damaging the plumbing system or harming the environment. If you are unsure of what to keep away from the toilet bowl, the professionals at Always On Call Mountain Mechanical in Anchorage, AK, highlight three specific items.

3 Items You Shouldn’t Flush Down the Toilet

1. Baby Wipes

Even if the package says the wipes are flushable, professionals recommend keeping them out of your toilet. This is because most of them are not biodegradable and do not disintegrate as quickly as regular toilet paper. You can test this theory by placing a piece of toilet paper and a baby wipe in a bowl of water for at least one hour to compare the two. The results will show you which brand of wipes is truly flushable.

2. Medication

Although you may have seen characters on television shows dispose of unwanted medication in the toilet, plumbing professionals strongly discourage this. When pills are flushed, their active ingredients contaminate the water. This is especially dangerous if you have a septic tank. In the event of a leak, the chemicals could cause serious harm to wildlife in the surrounding area. 

3. Hair

Many people are aware of that dreaded moment when the shower drain becomes clogged with hair. This is caused by a slow buildup of individual strands that get caught in the plumbing system. The same kind of clog is also possible in your toilet drain. Whether you brush your hair or clean your comb over the toilet to avoid strands from falling to the floor, it is important to refrain from these actions in the future if you want to prevent a nasty blockage.

If you have a plumbing emergency, count on the 24-hour service from Always On Call Mountain Mechanical. Specializing in a wide variety of plumbing repairs as well as HVAC and humidifier installations, their versatile team will work hard to provide you with the best results. For more information on their services and to request a quote, visit them online or call (907) 344-0700 today.