Protect Your Potty: Three Items That You Should Never Flush
Whether you rent or own your property, you have similar responsibilities when it comes to certain things – like taking good care of your toilet so you don't have to call for emergency septic services. One of the most important things is to make sure you are not causing clogs or damage to your toilet by flushing things that should not be flushed. This is a list of three items that people flush that can wreak havoc on your toilet.
Cat Litter
A popular item that people flush is cat litter. It may be because they think it will dissolve as it flushes or won't clump together, but that is exactly the opposite of what happens. The materials that make up cat litter, like sand or clay, can cause problems when they are flushed down the toilet. Plus, kitty litter has toxins that should never be flushed.
Tampons
Tampons are often flushed down toilets because women view it as a simple and clean way to dispose of them. They are relatively small in size and seem to flush down just fine, but it's a misconception. The cotton that the tampons are made out of does not dissolve or break down in the system. Instead, it causes a clog that can cause your toilet to back up and require a professional to come and manually remove the tampons. Tampon companies even mislead consumers and promise that the product is flushable. If you want to protect your potty, it is best to disregard that promise.
Baby Wipes
Anyone with an infant or toddler who still wears diapers knows that you go through a lot of baby wipes during the day. You may even purchase the special toddler wipes for children who are still potty training. If you are inclined to toss them in the toilet once you are finished, you should definitely reconsider. Baby wipes are thick and don't break down the way toilet paper does when it gets wet. They are one of the most common items that cause backups and bad clogs in sewer systems.
Considerations
Instead of tossing any of these items down your toilet, create a plan for the proper disposal of each one. A bathroom trash can placed close to the toilet can solve the problem with disposing of tampons and baby wipes. Place another trash can by your kitty litter box to make it easier to exchange dirty litter for clean litter without harming the toilet.
If you do experience a bad clog or backup, call a professional like SOS Septic Inc.