It’s a common plumbing myth that regular wipes are safe to flush. Marketers of these products have never been honest about their biodegradability and the impact they have on drain lines. Here at Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we are here to set the record straight and help our readers understand why wipes are detrimental to your plumbing.
First off, regular wipes provide more thorough cleaning and are gentler on sensitive skin. However, they do not disintegrate as easily as toilet paper because of the materials they are made from. While toilet paper breaks down quickly in water, regular wipes often contain stronger fibers that don’t disintegrate readily. This is what causes clogs in drains. Regular wipes may be convenient and offer a superior cleaning experience, but their lack of biodegradability poses a problem for plumbing systems.
How Do Regular Wipes Cause Clogs?
As we’ve already mentioned, regular wipes are thicker than toilet paper and don’t break down as easily in water. While they’ll make their way past the toilet bowl and even through the pipes, they can accumulate further down the line. You’ll end up with wastewater backups, costly drain line repairs, and potential damage to the environment. Resist the temptation to flush regular wipes, even if they are marketed as “flushable.” It’s also advisable to keep a plunger or drain snake on hand for minor drain clogs, but for larger blockages, it’s best to schedule drain cleaning service.
What Are The Safer Alternatives?
The only safer alternative to regular wipes is toilet paper. It disintegrates once it comes into contact with water, making it easy to flush and less likely to cause clogs. However, not all types of toilet paper are created equal, and some thicker or multi-ply varieties can still cause clogs. Our plumbers recommend you avoid thick and quilted varieties, which can be more difficult for drains to handle. If you encounter a drain clog, you can count on the expert plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing to provide professional clogged drain cleaning services.
What’s The Best Way To Dispose Of Regular Wipes?
The best way to dispose of regular wipes is to throw them in the trash can. Even wipes labeled "flushable" should be disposed of in the garbage. They simply don't break down quickly enough in the drain line system and can cause clogs and other problems. So, the golden rule is: Bag it and bin it!
Other Items That Can Clog Your Drains
Your toilet should only be used for human waste and toilet paper and not for disposing of other household items. It may seem convenient to flush all sorts of things down your toilet, but anything other than toilet paper and human waste can throw a wrench into your plumbing system and wreak havoc on your sewer system or septic system. Here’s a list of items you shouldn’t flush down your toilet:
- Hair
- Grease and fat
- Soap scum
- Baby diapers
- Condoms
- Dental floss
- Feminine hygiene products
- Paint
- Cotton balls and swabs
Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing for Help
Do you need professional drain cleaning services? Look no further than Mr. Rooter Plumbing. Perhaps you have a slow-draining sink, and it’s disrupting your normal routine, or perhaps your toilet won’t flush all the way because of a blockage somewhere in the drain line. When you have a drain clog, you want to hire a plumbing team in Blythewood, SC that has the expertise and experience to do a thorough job. Here at Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we have the skills and state-of-the-art tools to clean all types of drains in your home. Do not hesitate to contact us when you need reliable plumbing repairs.
