Things to Not Flush Down the Toilet

Things to Avoid Flushing Down the Toilet

A backed-up toilet is frustrating and messy but not only that, it can also cause major and expensive damage to your plumbing system. Many factors can cause a toilet to be clogged, including situations beyond your control, such as issues within your municipal water system or tree roots infiltrating your outdoor drain lines. However, in most cases, a backed-up toilet is caused by items that have been flushed down the toilet that don’t belong there. If a plunger doesn’t dislodge the clog, you may need to call a licensed plumber for a toilet repair call.

To prevent a backed-up toilet, never flush the following items:

Disposable diapers

Disposable diapers do not break down in water and can cause massive clogs.

Feminine hygiene products

Sanitary napkins and tampons are designed to absorb liquid, so they will expand in water and prevent the drain from proper flushing.

Cat litter and waste

Cat litter will not break down in water, especially the clumping kind. In addition, cat waste could introduce harmful parasites into the water supply.

Dental floss and hair

These are also no-nos. Both substances can form a “net” that catches other debris, causing clogs and back-ups.

Medications

All medications, especially controlled substances, must be disposed of properly, otherwise, they can contaminate the water supply. Most pharmacies will accept and dispose of unused medications.

Cotton products

These include cotton balls, pads, and swabs. Cotton also doesn’t break down in water, leading to clogs.

Cigarette butts

Cigarette butts are non-biodegradable and introduce toxins into the water supply.

Paper products

Never flush paper towels, napkins, or facial tissues down the toilet. Toilet paper is fine as long as you don’t use too much.

That’s a long list! The easiest way to remember what not to flush is only flush toilet paper and what your toilet was originally designed to handle.

Atlas Butler Can Fix Your Clogged Toilet

If you are experiencing a backed-up toilet, contact Atlas Butler at 1-800-FURNACE. Our phone is answered 24/7 by a live person and we will send one of our certified plumbers to take a look at your toilet. If we can’t immediately unclog it, we’ll keep exploring options until we locate the problem and recommend a solution. By following these guidelines of what to not flush down the toilet, you will experience fewer back-ups, less frustration, and will save money on plumbing repairs.