The answer? Yes. Even if the label instructs otherwise, you should dispose of only toilet paper and natural waste in this manner. Though flushable wipes are handy and may give a better clean for some after using the restroom, they may wreak havoc on your home’s plumbing system if not disposed of properly. It may lead to septic system problems, sewage backups, and burst pipes.
What Exactly Are Flushable Wipes?
Any wipe that you can flush down the toilet can be considered a flushable wipe. These wipes are known to cause plumbing problems, such as clogging toilets and causing sewage backups. Most of these wipes warn consumers not to flush them down the toilet because they don’t decompose as quickly as toilet paper.
Why Can’t I Flush Wipes?
Since flushable wipes don’t fully disintegrate in water like conventional toilet paper, they might cause backups in your plumbing. Our plumbers advise against dumping flushable wipes down the toilet for two reasons:
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Dissolvability
You flushing that flushable wipes down the toilet without much trouble is not the whole picture. They frequently remain intact lower down the pipes, which can lead to an obstruction known as a “fatberg” or “ragging” among plumbers.
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Lax Tests
Manufacturers of flushable wipes in the United States are not required by law to do any testing before labeling their products as such. That means you might be putting anything down the drain that will get stuck.
How Can I Tell If My Toilet Or Septic Tank Is Clogged?
Keep an eye out for the following if you’ve been flushing wipes down the toilet and are now concerned that you may have a clog.
Full Or Overflowing Toilet Bowl
If you flush and nothing happens, the toilet is likely clogged. If the toilet bowl remains full after being washed, it is almost certainly blocked.
Slow Drainage
If the water in the toilet bowl takes a long time to drain after you flush, it’s likely because the drains are clogged.
Rumbling Noise
Whenever you hear a gurgling sound coming from your sinks, tubs, or showers, you should check your toilet for a clog.
The Putrid Odor
The presence of foul odors is a telltale indicator of a clogged toilet. If you notice a bad smell near your bathroom sink, kitchen drain, or toilet, one of these fixtures is likely jammed.
There is a risk of flooding and expensive repairs if these obstructions are not addressed. It can also cause environmental issues like mold and mildew and cause structural damage to your home’s interior and exterior. If these wipes end up in the ocean, they might seriously harm marine life because of the synthetic material they are made of.
What If Wipes Already Block My Toilet?
One of the primary reasons wipes cause clogs in residential plumbing systems is improper drain cleaning. There may be obstacles in your plumbing system that flushed wipes can get stuck on if you last cleaned them a long time ago. New Flow Plumbing provides drain cleaning, toilet repair, and in-home plumbing inspection services.
In the case of a plumbing emergency, our Roseville rooter service is available around the clock. Our plumber is well-equipped and highly qualified to handle any situation that may arise. You can relax about the price because we offer free estimates over the phone. In 90 minutes or less, our Roseville plumber will help you. Reach out to us immediately!
