Blocked Toilet? Common Things You Should Never Flush

The well-being of your plumbing relies on your ability to stick to the three P’s when using your toilet: pee, poop and (toilet) paper. The average toilet is not designed to handle anything more than natural waste and toilet paper which is why you should be aware of the things you should never flush down your toilet. So if you treat your toilet like a rubbish bin, then you need to make some changes for the sake of not only your toilet and septic tank, but for wastewater treatment centres also.

However, until your toilet is clogged or you have had trouble with your septic tank it’s easy not to think about the damage being done. Here at Dublin Plumbers Co-op, we know how easy it is to think of your toilet as a black hole that makes everything disappear. Remember, we are always on hand to solve your plumbing problems when you need us.

In order to give you the chance to put your best foot forward in preventing these problems, we have compiled a list of the most common things NOT to be flushed down your toilet:

Feminine Hygiene Products:

Despite what it says on the box, you should never flush tampons or sanitary pads down the toilet. It is every home and business owner’s nightmare. They are made to absorb and expand in water which can cause serious problems with your plumbing that could end up being a very expensive fix for an easily preventable problem.

Baby/Wet Wipes:

Unlike toilet paper, baby/wet wipes are not made to dissolve in water. If you must use them, always throw them in the bin as they gradually accumulate in your waste line and then eventually cause a serious blockage.

Prescription Medication:

While it may seem like disposing of unused or out of date prescription medication in the toilet is the safest option, it actually has several implications such as the fact that they can be toxic to groundwater supplies and animals. So these are another no, no.

Baby Nappies:

It is unlikely that you will be able to flush a nappy down your toilet but in the event that you do, it will most likely get caught in the U-bend pipe. If this is the case, you can call us here at Dublin Plumbers Co-op as it will more than likely clog your toilet.

Hair:

The bane of any shower drains existence. Hair does not break down so once extracted from your shower drain/hair brush, you should not flush it down the toilet. Over time it will build up in the waste line and eventually become a contributory factor in your toilet blocking.

Cat Litter:

Some manufacturers say that their cat litter is perfectly flushable, yet this just adds to the toxins that need to be removed in water treatment plants. Regardless of whether or not it is flushable, cat litter is designed to clump when it comes into contact with liquid so imagine the damage to your toilet after flushing it.

Fats, Grease and Oil:

We all know that pouring these down the sink is unacceptable so why would a toilet be any different? Hot fats, grease and oil appear to be liquid and easily drainable, however once cooled they turn into a hardened/jelly-like substance. They will build up inside the toilet waste line and eventually cause a serious blockage that will require jetting in order to clear the blockage so avoid flushing these down.

Cigarette Butts:

Think of how many times you have walked into a pub toilet and seen a cigarette butt floating in the toilet bowl. Cigarette butts contain chemicals that are extremely toxic to water supply so this is a no-go situation.

Although you may follow these guidelines, there is a possibility you could still experience of your toilet blocking. Sometimes these things are inevitable but proper and regular maintenance can ensure they do not happen often.

In the event that you do have a plumbing problem, even if it is a late-night emergency, be sure to pick up the phone and call us at Dublin Plumbers Co-op at (01) 823 2324. For emergencies, we are available 24/7 at (086) 357 9495.

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