Everyday Items that Clog Toilets (And How to Avoid Them)

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Unclog Your Toilet Drain

However, our pipes aren’t designed to accommodate many of the everyday items that people unknowingly flush down. Clogged toilets are never fun. Depending on the source of the clogging, they can also be a costly problem to fix. Even if the foreign items manage to make it through your plumbing, they can cause problems at your local wastewater treatment facilities later on.

Toilet paper

When traveling to older European cities, such as Greece, you may notice restrictions on flushing toilet paper due to outdated sewage systems. In contrast, the US plumbing system is designed to handle toilet paper, but it’s not equipped to manage many common household items that people inadvertently flush. Clogged toilets can be frustrating and expensive to repair, and even if the items pass through your pipes, they can cause problems at wastewater treatment facilities. To avoid clogged toilets, be mindful of what you flush. While toilet paper is meant to be flushed, excessive use by children can still cause issues, so teach them to use a reasonable amount. Additionally, refrain from flushing feminine hygiene products, such as sanitary napkins and tampons, as they are not biodegradable and can quickly clog pipes; instead, dispose of them in the trash.

Diapers and baby wipes

Toys

Again, young children sometimes see it as a game to flush toys down the toilet. This often causes a clog that requires a plumber to fix. Avoid the expense by ensuring your children don’t play with toys in the bathroom unsupervised.

Don’t be fooled by the temptation to flush certain items down the toilet. Diapers, for instance, may seem like a convenient disposal method, but they can immediately clog pipes due to their size. Baby wipes, on the other hand, may not cause an immediate blockage, but they can accumulate over time and lead to a clogged toilet. A better option is to use trash bags that eliminate odors. Similarly, paper towels and cleaning wipes, despite being made of paper, can cause clogs due to their thickness and chemical composition. Human and dog hair can also wreak havoc on your pipes, especially if flushed repeatedly. And, of course, toys should never be flushed down the toilet, as they can cause costly clogs that require professional attention. To avoid any issues, it’s best to stick to the rule that only toilet paper should be flushed, and even then, use it in moderation.