Top Things You Should Never Put Down the Sink or Toilet

Have you ever tried draining your sink in vain? Toilets are modern-day convenience for human waste but a terrible option for disposing of other items, the result being blocked drains in your home and sinks that refuse to empty !!

Flushing household products and other items can clog drain pipes, contaminate water systems and cost a fortune to repair and replace. Keep your sink on top performance by avoiding putting the following items: 

Tissues

Tissues and paper towels are not meant for the sink and placing it down the sink may cause a severe blockage. 

Paper towels and facial tissues are suitable for absorbing sweat and water and do not dissolve like toilet paper. A sink that doesn’t get rid of all the water can become a breeding ground for pests & bacteria. Therefore, dispose of paper towels and tissues in the garbage bin and not the sink.

Disposable diapers

Disposable diapers are a common option for personal hygiene. However, they’re not meant for the sink or the toilet.  Although the packaging may read “flushable wipes”, the truth is that they do not break down quickly as tissue paper. Therefore, attempting to flush any disposable tissues or wipes can cause a clog in a pipe. Keep a clean-lined trash can in the bathroom and dispose of them often. You can also buy nappy bins that can store nappies in a very hygienic method.

Tampons and menstrual products

Tampons and other feminine hygiene products are not meant for the flush. Tampons look too small to cause a clog in the toilet pipes. However, they absorb water and swell. 

Feminine hygiene products should never be flushed because they can mix with other items to cause a big mass of obstruction. The hanging string on the tampon can wind around tissues, wipes, pads and other items, making the system a serious mess. Save yourself water overflow by disposing of feminine hygiene products in the bin.

Dental floss

Dental floss is usually made of Teflon or nylon. These materials do not break down easily in water. Additionally, they can build up around other non-biodegradable materials around them and cause blockage. It is best to toss the floss in the trash and not the sink. Otherwise, repeated flushing in the sink can cause a severe backup and overflow in the sewer line, causing you a fortune to repair and replace.

Fat, oil, and grease

The rule of thumb is never to flush food down the sink. Fats, oils, grease from food items and dirty utensils can cause severe drainage problems. The grease cools down and lines the drain pipes. Gradually, the pipes become clogged and prevent water from flushing down the drain.

Let the grease solidify and scrape it off the utensils. Then, wash in warm soapy water. After every wash, it is best to allow a stream of hot soapy water down the drain to melt the grease off the pipes. You can also use a drain cleaner to help clean out your drains, but this can damage the pipes if not used correctly.

Conclusion

Throwing different materials down the sink or toilet may seem harmless as water flushes them out of sight. However, the items can cause severe damage and cost you a fortune. Avoid unnecessary headaches by disposing of materials appropriately. If you do have any issues with blocked drains (both internal or external drains/pipes), Plan B specialises in  clearing blocked drains. Contact Plan B for all your plumbing needs today.