Most homeowners rarely think about their toilets until something goes wrong. When a toilet flushes properly day after day, it’s easy to assume that it can handle almost anything. Unfortunately, that misunderstanding is exactly why clogged toilets and sewer backups are such common plumbing problems throughout Durham Region.
Many people treat toilets like garbage bins, flushing items that were never meant to travel through residential plumbing systems. While some products may disappear with a single flush, that doesn’t mean they won’t create problems deeper inside the pipes over time. There are many products that should never be flushed down the toilet.
Those darn “flushable” wipes again!
As we pointed out in our last blog, flushable wipes are among the leading causes of toilet and sewer line clogs. Many homeowners assume these wipes break down just like toilet paper, but they actually stay intact much longer after flushing. Unlike toilet paper, which dissolves quickly in water, wipes tend to snag inside pipes and collect with grease, hair and debris already moving through the plumbing system.
Over time, these materials form stubborn blockages that can lead to overflowing toilets or sewer backups. Even homes with newer plumbing systems are not immune to problems caused by flushable wipes. The safest approach is simple. If it isn’t toilet paper, don’t flush it!
Feminine hygiene products and cotton items.
Tampons, sanitary pads, cotton swabs and cotton balls absorb water and expand inside pipes. This makes them especially dangerous for plumbing systems. Cotton products also do not break down easily, meaning they can remain lodged inside pipes for long periods of time while collecting additional debris around them. Even a single flushed hygiene product can sometimes trigger a blockage.
Menstrual products top the list of “the unflushables” on the David Suzuki Foundation website. “Despite any claims to the contrary, tampons (and applicators) go in the garbage,” it insists, “This includes pads and panty liners too. Omit disposables all together and switch to reusable menstrual products today.”
Paper towels, tissues and napkins.
A common misconception is that all paper products dissolve the same way toilet paper does. In reality, paper towels, facial tissues and napkins are designed to stay strong and absorb moisture, even when wet. That durability makes them extremely difficult for plumbing systems to process. These materials can easily clump together inside drain pipes and create obstructions that restrict water flow.
Many homeowners flush these items occasionally without immediate problems. This creates the false impression that they’re safe. Unfortunately, plumbing issues often develop gradually until a serious clog suddenly appears.
Dental floss and hair.
Dental floss doesn’t dissolve in water and often wraps around other debris moving through the pipes. Hair behaves similarly by tangling together and creating net-like clogs that trap toilet paper and waste. Over time, these materials combine into stubborn obstructions that can be difficult to remove without professional equipment. “Even if it’s 100 percent vegan or from refillable glass vials, don’t flush it!” instructs the David Suzuki Foundation, “Put it in the trash.”
Do you need help unclogging your toilet?
Leave it to the pros! 2 Bro’s Plumbing provides comprehensive toilet services all throughout Durham Region and the GTA. We offer professional installation and repair solutions for both residential and commercial properties. Our team endeavours to deliver precise and reliable plumbing services while following local codes and industry standards.
For more information, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 905-556-0790, email us at admin@2brosplumbing.ca or fill out the form on our Contact page!
