Fun fact: Did you know that the first flushing toilet was invented by Sir John Harrington in 1596 for Queen Elizabeth I? Since then, toilets have grown to be part of our every day lives. We use them every day, but seldom are they ever the topic of conversation. That is, unless you are a certified Toronto plumber!
At WaterWorks Plumbing & Drains, we love talking about toilets, drains and pipes. It’s what we do. It’s what we’re good at. However, sometimes we find the strangest things in peoples’ drains and are amazed at some of the things people have flushed down the toilet. Just because something will flush, doesn’t mean that it should be flushed.
We’re fortunate to live in North America where we enjoy an abundance of clean water (so clean that we relieve ourselves in it)! In that light, Water Works presents to you a list of things never to be flushed down toilets. This is to help you avoid drain pain! If you follow these recommendations, you are far less likely to experience clogged drains and pipes! It’s also to help you take care of the precious environment we live in. On to the list!
What Not To Flush Down The Toilet
Baby Wipes: “Flushable” or not, throw away with diapers. They can cause clogging in sewer facilities.
Bandages: These are not biodegradable and belong in waste bin.
Bobby Pins: Never flush metal objects.
Cigarette Butts: These contain harmful chemicals and should not be flushed.
Condoms: Never flush rubber down toilets. Rubber is not good for your septic system and not good for environment.
Cotton Balls: Dispose of these in garbage along with other trash.
Dead Animals: Please no. Bury them.
Dental Floss: Floss is not biodegradable and can cause tangled messes.
Diapers: Diapers expand when wet, clogging even the best drains; landfill please.
Fabrics: Fabric is a tremendous culprit. Never ever flush clothing.
Hair: Gather cut hair and throw in compost bin. Hair is not good for drains.
Hair Clips: These are not biodegradable and are known to clogs drains.
ID/Credit Cards: Protect your identity and dispose of these properly but cutting or shredding them.
Insects: A dead or live insect is not worth wasting 3 gallons of water to flush. Just take them outside.
Kitty Litter: Kitty litter has binders that block your sewage.
Medicines: Return unused pills and other medications to local pharmacy for safe disposal.
Perfume Sample Bottles: Not biodegradable.
Potatoes: Potatoes can be shot out of potato guns, but not flushed down toilets.
Q-Tips: These are not biodegradable and are found all the time in clogged drains.
Razors & Blades: Not biodegradable or safe to flush.
Syringes & Needles: Dangerous to have in septic or sewer system, and they are not biodegradable.
Tissues: Unlike toilet paper, tissues are made to hold together when wet.
Tampons: Many types expand and have water absorbing chemicals. Wrap with toilet paper and dispose of properly in a waste basket.
Tooth Brushes: Liquid Draino will suffice. There’s no need to send tooth brushes down to clean your pipes.
Toys: Here’s one is for the kids. Never flush plastic down toilets.
Simply put, toilets are designed to flush away human waste. Kitchen disposals are designed to dispose of certain types of kitchen waste. Trash receptacles are designed for trash.
Just remember, when in doubt, throw it out! Even if a product says that it’s disposable, it doesn’t guarantee no blockages. In fact, the majority of foreign objects found in clogged sewage drains comes from disposable items. Most sewers are not designed to cope with all of today’s disposable items.
If you’re dealing with a clogged toilet in Toronto, call the clog removal experts at WaterWorks Plumbing and Drains. (647) 691-0022
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