Your toilet is designed to get rid of waste, but that doesn’t mean it’s equipped to dispose of anything that fits inside the bowl. There are a lot of items that can cause major clogs and plumbing issues. If you want to avoid a panicked call to your emergency plumber, avoid flushing the following.

What Items Are Not Flushable?

1. Baby Wipes

Baby wipes and wet wipes often claim to be “flushable,” but they’re not made to break down in your plumbing system in the same way that toilet paper is. They stay solid and can get stuck in your pipes, causing backups or slow drains.

2. Medicine

Medicine won’t necessarily lead to plumbing clogs, but it can impact your water supply. Certain types of medication can contaminate water in a way that’s not easily filtered or treated. To be safe, take expired pills to your local pharmacy to dispose of them safely.

3. Dental Floss

Dental floss shouldn’t cause clogs on its own, but it can easily get stuck on other items and trap them in the pipes. It’s also not biodegradable, so it’ll stay in there for a long time. Avoid having to call a plumber by throwing floss in the trash instead.

4. Paper Towels

Paper towels often seem like they should be flushable because they look a bit like toilet paper. However, they’re made to absorb water and not break down, which means they could expand in your pipes and get stuck there.

5. Feminine Hygiene Products

Some feminine hygiene products also claim to be safe to flush, but they can certainly lead to major backups and clogs. They are thicker than toilet paper and can easily get caught in other items in your plumbing system.

If you ever need a plumber to help you with a toilet clog or other issue, call Bryant Air Conditioning, Heating, Electrical & Plumbing in Lincoln, NE. The plumber, electrician, and HVAC contractor offers a full array of services to help homeowners keep all of their important fixtures up and running. Whether you have a clogged drain or need air conditioner repair, the expert staff can respond quickly and offer you friendly service at affordable prices. View a list of current specials on the company’s website or call (402) 467-1111 to request service.