The Ultimate Do Not Flush List: A Charlotte Plumber Tells What Not to Flush Down the Toilet

Charlotte plumber do not flush list, list of things that should not be flushed down the toilet, do not flush these things

Wondering what the Ultimate Do Not Flush list looks like?

Here it is, brought to you by a Charlotte plumbing company dedicated to saving you money on unnecessary plumbing bills.

Do Not Flush

It's easier to tell you what you should flush than what you shouldn't flush, because really the only things you should ever flush down the toilet are:

  • Urine
  • Fecal matter
  • Toilet paper

Charlotte plumber do not flush list, list of things that should not be flushed down the toilet, do not flush these thingsUnfortunately, people often think it's okay to flush the following items, all of which belong on the Do Not Flush list.

  • Kleenex and other facial tissues
  • Baby wipes (or other personal hygiene wipes)
  • Facial cleansing wipes or make up removers
  • Paper towels or napkins
  • Feminine products (sanitary napkins, pads of all sorts, and tampons)
  • Q-tips and other make up applicators
  • Kitty litter
  • Cigarette butts
  • Oil, grease, or food scraps
  • Prescription drugs

Why Are These Items On the Do Not Flush List?

The items listed above are commonly flushed down toilets everywhere, but they are the prime causes of clogged toilets. People think facial tissues, feminine products and other disposable wipes can go down the toilet, but they are made with fibrous material that does not break down quickly or completely enough to make it through your pipes and out into the sewer system without causing clogs. Small items like q-tips and mascara applicators do not break down at all and are likely to get wedged in the pipes, and material that normally would pass through the pipes gets caught up in them.

Kitty litter is known to get stuck in the bellies of pipes, and food scraps are also likely to settle or get caught on any stray items that may have been accidentally flushed over the years. Oil and grease will coat your pipes like plaque, and other items that are flushed may stick to and add layers to the gunk coating the inside of your pipes. Over time, clogs form.

But Why Can't I Flush Prescription Drugs?

It may seem like a safe and easy way to dispose of expired prescriptions, but prescription drugs should not be flushed for a completely different reason than everything else on this list. While waste water is treated, prescription drugs add chemicals to the water that are not removed during the waste water treatment process. Water quality tests have shown that much of our drinking water is contaminated from a plethora of prescription drugs that have been introduced into the water system. This is also why so many families and industries are turning to water filtration systems; in order to protect themselves from ingesting unknown chemicals, they filter the water they drink.

Need a Charlotte Plumber to Unclog a Toilet?

If we're too late to prevent a clogged toilet and you live within a 25-mile radius of Charlotte, give us a call at 704-846-5371 for assistance. We'll help you unclog that toilet and prevent future plumbing problems.

Article Summary

Quick question & answer: What can and can't be flushed down the toilet?

Yes! To avoid clogs, there is a list of items that should not be flushed down the toilet. The only things you should flush are urine, fecal matter, and toilet paper. Do not flush the following:

  • Kleenex and other facial tissues
  • Baby wipes
  • Facial cleansing wipes or makeup removers
  • Paper towels or napkins
  • Feminine products
  • Q-tips
  • Kitty litter
  • Cigarette butts
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