When using the restroom, sometimes toilet paper is not available or has run out. This is where many people try to use alternatives, such as hand wipes. However, this could create problems for your toilet or plumbing. So, is there such as thing as a flushable wipe?
The Crash Course
Wet wipes are marketed as “flushable” and “septic-safe,” so there should be no problem with flushing them down the toilet, right? Wrong! Even though these wipes do eventually break down, they take a longer amount of time to do so compared to toilet paper. Since wet wipes don’t degrade as rapidly as toilet paper, clogged pipes and blockages occur more frequently. Putting your home’s plumbing at risk for serious clogs translates to hefty plumbing bills for you.
What Are Flushable Wipes?
Flushable wipes can be used for wiping and cleaning just about any kind of a mess. They are often used in lieu of toilet paper, as they are more efficient at cleaning. Many times flushable wipes will have a light scent or fragrance added to them as well, which can help to keep the area smelling fresh.
There are many different brands and varieties of flushable wipes on the market today. Some are designed for specific purposes. The “best flushable wipes that actually disintegrate” are a type of disposable wipe that is designed to be flushed down the toilet. The question posed in this blog is whether or not these wipes are safe for flushing.
Do you recall the first time you replaced toilet paper with a wet wipe? You weren’t sure how you felt about it at first, but after a few more visits to the restroom, you were hooked! While they do a fantastic job cleaning up, they aren’t quite the hero we expected when we initially got them. These wipes are labeled “flushable,” but are they actually safe to flush?
Which “Flushable” Items Cause Clogging?
When these so-called “flushable” wipes are flushed, they may get entangled with other things in your sewage pipe. Commonly flushed items that lead to clogs and backups include thick toilet paper, paper towels, cotton swabs, dental floss, sanitary pads, and toilet cleaning pads.
When these substances are combined with wet wipes, an obstruction is known as “ragging” is created. If this occurs to you, get out your phone and start looking for a plumber.
What Can I Flush Without Hurting My Plumbing?
Although manufacturers give test results indicating that flushable wipes are safe to flush, there is evidence that flushing these wipes may raise the risk of blocked sewage lines and need more frequent septic tank pumping. Despite the fact that wipes seem to be the greatest invention since sliced bread, you should avoid using them. Apart from “the obvious,” toilet paper is supposed to be the only item flushed.
Plumbers’ Warning
Plumbers often warn against flushing anything down the toilet except for human waste. If you can get any other item to float, it likely has a chemical component that could damage your septic system or even cause blockages. It is best to only flush what will break down and decompose quickly in water, like paper towels and wipes made of cellulose fiber.
Do You Have A Clog?
Something isn’t necessarily true just because someone says it. The same goes for your favorite “flushable” washroom wipes and their misleading packaging. If you have regular blockages in your house (whether or not you use wet wipes), there is an underlying issue that has to be addressed.
Whether the blockage is large or tiny, a plumber is always ready to help! Call one for additional information or to make an appointment.
The “safe to flush wipes” is a product that people have searched for many times. The answer is yes, they do exist, but only if they are made of the right material.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are flushable wipes not flushable?
A: Flushable wipes do not disintegrate in the water like regular toilet paper does. This is due to a chemical reaction and they are only really flushable if there isnt any other materials mixed into them, such as another wipe or something else, that would cause clogging problems.
Are any flushable wipes really flushable?
A: Yes, some are really flushable and can be flushed without causing any damage to your plumbing.
If your toilet is clogged, you will need to use a plunger to fix it. Learn more about that in Types Of Plungers: An Exhaustive Guide.
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