Five Things You Should Never Flush Down Your Toilet

If you have a septic system installed at your property, you always need to be mindful of what you put down drains and flush down toilets. While large, solid items should never be flushed down a toilet, there are some other surprising things that should go in the trash rather than down the drain. Here’s a list of the top five things you should never flush down your toilet if you have a septic system at your home.

Hair

Giving yourself a trim at home? If you choose to cut your luscious locks over the toilet thinking it’s a quick and easy way to dispose of the hair, think again. Hair is one of the worst offenders when it comes to clogging drains and creating problems for septic systems, and it should never be flushed down a toilet. It can easily become entangled with other debris in the drains, creating clogs that may require professional intervention to clear. Typically, these obstructions develop at pipe joints and bends, requiring an experienced technician to temporarily remove the pipe to clear the clog.

Dental floss

Similar to hair, the stringy nature of dental floss can create major obstructions in your pipes. Most floss doesn’t dissolve in water, so unless it makes it the entire way through your septic system, it’s likely going to get caught in the drains. Always throw floss in the trash, since even one strand can increase the chance for clogs to develop.

Wet wipes

While many brands of wipes claim to be safe for flushing, the truth is that they’re still too tough to dissolve as quickly as typical toilet paper products. Since most wipes don’t dissolve in water, they can quickly build up in your pipes and cause major clogs. Take care to keep other seemingly flushable paper products out of your drains and septic system. Even though paper towels seem like they would dissolve, they actually adhere to a concrete tank and affect the efficiency of the entire system.

Paint

Even though paint seems like a harmless liquid, it won’t properly break down in a septic system. It actually works against the good bacteria in the system, reducing its overall efficiency. Never pour paint down drains or flush it down the toilet—it not only affects your septic system, but can also contaminate groundwater, polluting the environment.

Foods

When food makes its way into your septic system, it affects its efficiency and can lead to buildup in your pipes. Bacon grease, fibrous vegetables and even coffee grounds can compromise your system and form a thick sludge in the tank that could cause backups. Dispose of food in the trash or in a compost heap, when possible.

By making sure that no harmful materials are flushed down your toilet, you’ll extend the lifespan of your septic system, improve its efficiency and reduce your need for maintenance visits. It’s always recommended to stick to a preventative maintenance schedule to ensure your system functions for years to come. Contact Countryside Construction Inc. to learn more about basic care tips for your septic system.