A home’s plumbing system is an integral part of any home. One minor issue can turn our entire plumbing system into a huge disaster. It’s very important that homeowners are doing what they can to ensure their plumbing system stays properly maintained and to avoid any problems from arising.
A common mistake homeowners make within their plumbing system is by putting foreign objects down their drains. Whether it’s flushing items down the toilet or putting certain foods down their sink, oftentimes these objects can cause major issues within your plumbing system. In this blog, we discuss whether or not flushable wipes are really flushable, as well as go over some other objects you should avoid putting down your drains!
Are flushable wipes really flushable?
Flushable wipes or baby wipes are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to toilet paper; but are they safe for your plumbing pipes? Toilet paper is designed to disintegrate when flushed down the toilet, which allows for an easy trip down your plumbing pipes. Flushable wipes on the other hand often do not disintegrate as easily as toilet paper and have been seen to do serious damage to a home’s plumbing system. These wipes are generally made of synthetic materials such as plastic and polycystic, and can ultimately end up clogging your entire sewage pipe. This not only poses a big risk to your entire plumbing system but also requires a professional repair that may not be cheap.
Sometimes, wipes alone are not the culprit. In fact, when wipes meet cooking grease inside your pipes, it may lead to an even bigger disaster. Both of these together are one of the leading causes of clogging within your plumbing system.
What else can harm your plumbing system?
Long story short, toilet paper is one of the only things that is okay to flush down your toilet. However, many homeowners tend to flush other items down that can also cause clogging and issues. Here are some of the other things you should never flush down your toilet:
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Paper towels
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Dental floss
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Cat litter
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Cotton swabs
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Diapers
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Hair
Sometimes, homeowners flush these items down their toilets without even realizing it. And sometimes, accidents happen. However, to keep your plumbing system working properly, all homeowners should be vigilant in not flushing these items down their toilets.
As for the kitchen sink, there are certain foods that are okay and not okay to wash down the drain. Here are some foods you should avoid putting down your garbage disposal:
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Chicken or fish bones
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Celery
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Eggshells
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Coffee grounds
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Fruit pits
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Pasta
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Grease
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Potato Peels
If you run into an issue within your plumbing system, the first thing you should consider is what you have been putting into your pipes. Oftentimes, plumbing issues can be avoided. It’s up to homeowners to pay attention and be cautious of what they are flushing down their pipes!
At ServiceOne, we offer top notch plumbing services in Omaha, Neb. and Dubuque, Iowa. If you find yourself with a home plumbing problem, do not hesitate! Call a ServiceOne professional plumber right away and we will help get your problem fixed as soon as we can!