If you live in a home with a plumbing system (who doesn’t?), it is essential to know what can and cannot be flushed down your toilet. Otherwise, you could wind up with a clogged toilet or other plumbing problems. L&M Plumbing has experts who can help you if your Allentown or Lehigh Valley home has a clogged toilet or septic system.
What can you flush?
Simple answer: toilet paper and human waste are the only things that should be flushed down your toilet. You should never flush feminine hygiene products, diapers, tissues, paper towels, or anything else down your toilet. These items can cause clogs or other problems. We know because we’ve seen and removed many items like this from clogged pipes all over the Lehigh Valley.
Items you definitely should not flush
Tissues: Because they are made to withstand nasal blowing, tissues are stronger than toilet paper and can easily clog a septic system. The same goes for napkins and paper towels. Toss them in the trash instead.
Cotton balls: Since you’re already in the bathroom, it can be tempting to toss a used cotton ball in the toilet, but they also can easily clog your septic system. They are resilient and resist being dissolved or broken down.
Floss: Flossing your teeth is another bathroom habit that, while good, shouldn’t wind up in the toilet. The tough fibers can easily ball up in a septic system and cause huge headaches down the road. Throw floss in the trash can, not the toilet.
Baby wipes: They are great for cleaning your baby, but are way too strong for your septic system. Toss them, don’t flush them.
Band aids: They sure come off in the bathroom, but make sure they don’t end up in the toilet. Often made of plastic, they won’t break down and will lead to an expensive plumbing repair bill.
Feminine hygiene products: Usually made of synthetics that resist breaking down, never toss these items in the toilet. Just don’t.
Hey, what about those wipes they say are safe to flush?
Despite what the packaging may say, you should not flush wipes down the toilet. Wipes, even so-called “flushable” ones, do not break down like toilet paper does and can cause major clogs. Instead, avoid using them… or just throw them in the trash instead.
Septic tank: caution
If you live in a home with a septic tank, then you need to be very careful about what goes down your drains and into your toilets, because it ends up in your septic tank.
When in doubt
If you’re not sure whether or not something can be flushed, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and throw it in the trash instead.
What to do if you have a blocked toilet
If you have a blockage in your toilet, there are a few things you can do to try and clear it yourself before calling L&M Plumbing.
First, try using a plunger made for a toilet (check your hardware store and ask for help; some plungers are made for sinks, while others are made for toilets).
If that doesn’t work, you can try using a toilet auger. Insert the toilet auger into the toilet bowl and turn the handle clockwise until you feel it hit something. Then, crank the handle to try breaking up the clog.
If neither of these methods work, or if you don’t have the stomach for it, you may need to call the pros at L&M Plumbing to help with your toilet clog anywhere in Allentown or the Lehigh Valley.