The short answer? No. Nothing besides toilet paper and natural waste should be flushed down the toilet — no matter what a product’s label says. Though flushable wipes are convenient and, for some, provide a better clean after using the bathroom, they can wreak havoc on your home’s plumbing system if not disposed of properly and can cause a wide range of problems, including septic system problems, sewer backups, and even burst pipes.
All of these problems can be avoided if you keep flushable wipes out of the toilet. If a problem does arise, trust our Ocala plumbers to fix it right away. At Sunshine Plumbing and Gas, our team is ready to help at a moment’s notice.
Contact us today to schedule plumbing services.
What Are Flushable Wipes?
Flushable wipes encompass a wide variety of wipes, including baby wipes, toilet wipes, makeup wipes, and antibacterial wipes, among others. All of these wipes are known to clog toilets, back up sewer systems, and destroy pipes. On the packaging for most of these wipes, it states not to flush them down the toilet since they don’t break down as quickly as toilet paper.
Why Can’t You Flush Flushable Wipes?
Compared to regular toilet paper, flushable wipes take longer to break down and dissolve in water, putting your home plumbing systems at risk of clogs. Our plumbers caution homeowners from flushing flushable wipes down the toilet for the following two reasons.
- Dissolvability. Flushable wipes might go down the toilet easily, but that’s the whole story. Oftentimes they stay intact further down the pipes and can cause what plumbers refer to as a “fatberg” or “ragging” — a massive blockage.
- Lax testing. Since flushable wipe manufacturers in the United States are not legally required to pass any tests, they can label any wipe as “flushable.” That means you could be flushing something surefire to cause a clog.
How Do I Know If My Septic System Or Toilet Is Clogged?
If you’ve continued to flush wipes down the toilet and are worried you might have a clog, there are a few things you can look out for, including the following. If you notice any of these, contact our emergency plumbers right away.
- Water Pooling Around Your Septic System
- Trees & Grass Are More Vibrant-Looking
- Smell Rotten Eggs Or Foul Odor Outside
- Water In Sinks & Tubs Slow To Drain
If left unattended, these clogs could lead to flooding and costly repairs down the line. It can also lead to damage to the interior and exterior of your home, as well as environmental problems such as mold and mildew. The synthetic material of these wipes is also harmful to the environment, so if they travel into the ocean, they can wreak havoc on wildlife.
Flushable wipes don’t belong in the toilet — do not flush anything but toilet paper. However, if you do and a clog happens, contact the experienced plumbers at Sunshine Plumbing and Gas. We provide quick, efficient service, so you and your family can get back to normal. Contact us today to schedule plumbing services or to learn more about what we can offer.