As a homeowner, protecting your plumbing system is essential to avoiding costly repairs. One of the easiest ways to do this is by ensuring only appropriate items are flushed down your toilet. Many people mistakenly flush non-flushable items, leading to clogs, backups, and even damage to local sewer systems.
- What Not to Flush: Common non-flushable items include wipes (even those labeled “flushable”), paper towels, feminine hygiene products, cotton swabs, diapers, dental floss, and cooking grease. These items don’t break down like toilet paper and can accumulate in your pipes, causing blockages.
- Why It Matters: Flushing inappropriate materials can lead to clogged toilets, slow drainage, and overflows that damage floors and walls. On a larger scale, non-flushable items can harm your local sewer system and contribute to environmental pollution.
- Best Practices: To keep your plumbing system healthy, only flush toilet paper and human waste. Dispose of wipes, hygiene products, and other non-flushable materials in a trash can. If you experience frequent plumbing issues, consider hiring a plumber to inspect your system for potential blockages.
By being mindful of what goes down your drains, you can protect your home’s plumbing, save money, and contribute to a cleaner environment.
