If you’re in a hurry, it’s easy to leave a light on or forget to take out the garbage. However, some shortcuts could cost you. For example, throwing some substances down the toilet instead of into the trash can lead to a clogged drain or damage your plumbing system as a whole. Here are three items you should never flush down the toilet.

3 Items to Avoid Flushing 

1. Disposable Wipes

While they might say “flushable” on the shiny packaging, that isn’t always the case. Thick and absorbent, these disposable cloths can easily get tangled in your plumbing, forming balls of material that block water from flowing. If you need to use these in the bathroom, or when changing a diaper, dispose of them in the trash, along with all paper towels and feminine hygiene products, which are also common culprits behind clogged drains.

2. Dental Floss

At first glance, dental floss is small enough to seem harmless. While it might be insubstantial in and of itself, the string-like nature of floss can easily lead to tangles, which will latch on to waste and toilet paper and create massive blockages.

3. Medications

Pills may not be able to cause a clogged drain, but they can certainly damage your plumbing system. These capsules are designed to break down so that the chemicals inside can be absorbed by the human body. And they dissolve in the same way when flushed down the toilet. The medication then leaks into the water supply, and could lead to widespread contamination of the system.

 

Knowing what not to flush can help you avoid some plumbing issues, but sometimes, a clogged drain or leaky toilet is inevitable. If this happens to you, call Don’s Plumbing of Spring Branch, TX, at (830) 964-4477 and make an appointment. With over 30 years of experience, these experts always aim for the three “P’s”: promptness, professionalism, and proactivity.  For more information on their offerings, visit their website.