Your home’s plumbing is a delicate system. If you flush some objects or substances down the toilet or sink drain, it could cause pipe damage, clogs, or backups, which can be messy and expensive. Drain Doctor in Levelland, TX, provides drain cleaning, water line repairs, and hot water installation; here, their team explains what you should never flush down the toilet. 

What Should Never Be in Your Septic System?

1. Grease & Oil 

You might think flushing grease, oil, and fat down the toilet is less detrimental than draining it in the sink, but that isn’t the case. Grease is liquid at first, but eventually, it will cool and solidify. When this happens, it builds up on the sides of the pipes and, over time, will cause a clog. 

2. Paper Towels

Toilet paper is designed to dissolve in water, but paper towels are thicker with more fibers. They take much longer to degrade compared to toilet paper. If you regularly flush paper towels, it can result in a clog and drain backup. It’s particularly dangerous with septic systems, where the tank might overflow due to an accumulation of too many nonbiodegradable solids. 

3. Feminine Hygiene Products

Tampons, liners, and sanitary napkins should always be put in the trash and not flushed down the toilet. These products don’t degrade quickly enough to be safely disposed of in toilets, and they can easily get trapped in your plumbing. They can also create a blockage at the wastewater treatment plant, where they must be manually removed. 

4. Dental Floss

Floss might seem harmless, but it’s nonbiodegradable. It’s easily tangled and can wrap itself around pipes, causing a clog and trapping odors. Instead of flushing it, throw it in the trash. 

5. Medications

Many people flush drugs and medications down the toilet to keep them away from children, animals, and other adults. However, wastewater treatment plants aren’t designed to remove pharmaceuticals, and some drugs can pass through treatment plants and pollute rivers and other water sources. Although the current level of pharmaceuticals in the water supply isn’t harmful to humans, it’s dangerous for fish and other aquatic organisms. 

A bit of preventive care and maintenance goes a long way when it comes to plumbing. However, if you do encounter a problem, trust the professionals at Drain Doctor to help. This local company provides a broad range of plumbing services and is known for their exceptional work and dedication to customer satisfaction. Call (806) 894-3796 to speak with a staff member, or visit their website to learn more about their services.