A clogged toilet has not only the ability to ruin your day, but also your plumbing and flooring as well. In order to prevent a costly repair and the unwanted toilet clog, let’s talk toilet.
There are many things you can do to make sure this nightmare doesn’t come to a toilet near you. Proper toilet plumbing can help prevent a problem for as long as you live, well hopefully anyway. The main thing you need to know is what can be flushed and what can’t be flushed down the “john”.
What Can Be Flushed – It’s Really Simple
- Human Waste
- Toilet Paper
What Can’t Be Flushed – Everything Else
Yes, believe it or not toilets are not meant to dispose of any other material, included but not limited to:
- Paper Towels
- Napkins
- Facial tissues
- Wet wipes
- Gum
- Medications
- Dirt, rocks, or clay
- Sponges
- Coffee grounds
- Dental floss
- Grease or oils
- Feminine products
- Soap
- Perfume
- Diapers
- Disinfecting wipes
- Plastic sheets
- Toys
- Glasses
- Contacts
- Band aids
- Gauze
- Medical tape
- Your pet fish
Toilet paper is designed to dissolve in water within a couple hours after flushing. Even too much toilet paper flushed down at once might create a clog because the wad won’t dissolve as easily. When any of these non-flushable products get flushed down your toilet, they don’t dissolve. And so called flushable items usually don’t dissolve enough to be considered truly flushable.
Medications should also not be flushed down the drain. Flushing medications can damage the bacteria used to help decompose the waste, and it can also pass through the water treatment plant where that water is released into the local streams and lakes, damaging the local habitat and ecosystem.
What To Do If You Encounter A Clog
If you encounter a clog, first try fixing it with a plunger. A plunger is used to create a seal that vacuums the waste down. If that doesn’t work you can try a home drain snake. If that doesn’t do the trick, it’s likely you may need to call a plumber. If your toilet has more frequent problems with flushing it can be a sign that something might be wrong, such as
- A clog has formed but isn’t completely blocking out your pipes
- The flushing components inside your toilet are wearing out and need to be replaced
If you don’t know a lot about plumbing or how toilets work, you might want to call a professional to check out your toilet and be able to diagnose and if any issue exists.
If you’re reading this article too late or you are concerned about any of your plumbing systems in Fort Collins, Loveland the northern Colorado area please contact Hahn Plumbing by phone at 970-484-7668 or by email at [email protected] for a free estimate or to schedule a repair. Hahn Plumbing is a family business that has been servicing homes and businesses plumbing, heating and air conditioning since 1967.