Introduction
Your home's toilet in Davie, FL, might seem like a convenient way to dispose of various items, but it’s designed for only a few specific things—human waste and toilet paper. Flushing anything else can cause serious plumbing problems, not just for your home but for the entire community. Let’s explore why it’s crucial to be mindful of what you flush and highlight 15 items that should never go down the toilet.
Why you should care
When you flush something that doesn’t belong in the toilet, it may make its way through your home’s plumbing system in Davie, FL, but that doesn’t mean it’s gone for good. In fact, these items often contribute to sewage blockages in the larger public sewer systems. Clearing these blockages is a costly process, with cities spending significant amounts—up to $100,000 annually—just to remove non-flushable items from wastewater treatment plants. These costs inevitably get passed down to you in the form of higher sewer charges.
15 Things You Should Never Flush Down the Toilet
- 1. “Flushable” Baby Wipes and Sanitary Wipes
Despite what the packaging might claim, these wipes do not break down like toilet paper. They can cause major clogs in your pipes and public sewer systems. - 2. Dental Floss
Dental floss doesn’t dissolve in water. Instead, it can wrap around other debris, leading to serious blockages. In septic systems, it can even damage mechanical components. - 3. Kitty Litter
Even if it’s labeled as flushable, kitty litter doesn’t belong in the toilet. Most toilets don’t use enough water per flush to keep the litter moving, leading to potential clogs. - 4. Dried cat poop
Toilets are meant for water-soluble waste. Hardened cat poop from litter boxes can become lodged in your plumbing, causing clogs. - 5. Hair
Hair doesn’t break down in water and can easily form clumps in your pipes, leading to blockages. - 6. Condoms
Condoms don’t dissolve in water and can clog both toilets and septic systems. Dispose of them in the trash instead. - 7. Bleach
While bleach might seem like a good idea for cleaning, it’s too harsh for your plumbing and septic systems. It can cause damage over time. - 8. Cigarette Butts
Cigarette butts are not biodegradable and can clog pipes. They also contain harmful chemicals that should not enter the water system. - 9. Diapers, Sanitary Napkins, and Paper Towels
These products are designed to absorb water, not break apart in it. They can cause major clogs in your plumbing. - 10. Chewing Gum
Gum doesn’t dissolve in water and can stick to the inside of pipes, catching other debris and forming a stubborn clog. - 11. Cotton Balls and Swabs
These items don’t break down in water and can easily block pipes, especially cotton swabs, which can create significant logjams. - 12. Food
Although food is biodegradable, it can still cause clogs as it decomposes in your plumbing. Dispose of food waste in the trash or compost instead. - 13. Grease
Grease solidifies as it cools, forming one of the toughest clogs to remove. Never pour grease down the drain or toilet. - 14. Fish or small reptiles
Flushing live animals is inhumane, and even dead ones won’t break down properly in your plumbing. They’re more likely to cause a clog. - 15. Medications and Drugs
Flushing medications is harmful to the environment because the active ingredients cannot be fully removed during water treatment. These chemicals can end up in our waterways, causing ecological harm.
The bottom line
To keep your plumbing and local sewage systems in Davie, FL, running smoothly, remember that the only things that should be flushed down the toilet are human waste and toilet paper. Anything else risks creating clogs, damaging infrastructure, and increasing costs for everyone.
Need help with a clogged toilet?
If you’ve accidentally flushed something you shouldn’t have or if you’re dealing with a stubborn clog, Dovis Plumbing is here to help. Call us at 954-504-6628 for professional plumbing services. We’ll get your toilet and plumbing systems back in working order quickly and efficiently.
