The toilet may seem like an easy place to dispose of certain types of garbage or waste, particularly if it’s IN the bathroom. However, flushing the wrong items down your toilet can cause severe backups and plumbing issues in your septic system, as well as environmental hazards. Here are the Top 5 items you should never put down your toilets. 

What Are the Top 5 Things You Should You Avoid Flushing Down the Toilet? 

1. Wet Wipes

Wet wipes or adult baby wipes are becoming more popular due to their convenience. Often, the containers even claim that they’re flushable. However, they don’t break down and are harmful to the environment. If you want to use them, simply throw them away when you’re finished. This is easier if you keep a garbage can close to your toilet.

2. Paper Towels

Paper towels and toilet paper are not made of the same material, and therefore cannot be treated equally. Toilet paper is made to break down in the toilet easily. Paper towels are not made to disintegrate easily, and they are created to be extremely absorbent. If flushed, they will block up your pipes and cause a clog. Simply throw them in the trash instead.

3. Feminine Hygiene Products 

You should never flush feminine hygiene products down your toilet. These items are extremely water absorbent and will not travel down your pipes well. Although this might not cause an immediate problem, it will eventually cause your septic system to clog, requiring an immediate Emergency maintenance call!

4. Medications

Pills should never be put down the toilet, as these medications have all sorts of chemicals in them and can pollute your septic system. While they may be helpful to the person they’re prescribed to, they’re dangerous for wildlife and can taint the area’s water supply. Most local pharmacies have boxes where you can drop off unused medications instead.

5. Cooking Oil or Grease

It may seem like it’s okay to flush used cooking oil or grease down the toilet due to its liquid form. However, when the liquid cools down, it will coat your pipes and clog your septic system. Instead of flushing the grease, collect it in a metal or glass jar. When it gets close to full, throw the whole jar in the trash.

 

If your septic system needs maintenance, contact the professional technicians at Lentz Septic Tank Service. They serve commercial and residential customers in Statesville, NC, and the Lake Norman area, and they’ve been in business for over 60 years. They provide septic tank pumping, inspections, and grease trap cleaning. Visit their website to view user testimonials or call (704) 876-1834 to speak to a member of their team.