From Flushing to Blushing: 7 Things Never to Toss Down the Toilet

Out of sight is not out of mind when you’ve flushed something that’s created a blockage.  You’ve got to get it out, but how? You could roll up your sleeves and try to do it yourself. Most likely, you’ll end up calling your plumber. Many people don’t realize that sewer clogs have to be unblocked by hand.  Your plumber will have a hands-on experience with whatever you’ve flushed. Avoid the embarrassment – and an expensive bill.

Here is a list of 7 items never to flush

Food

In order not to stink up the garbage, you may opt for putting food scraps down the drain. Tsk-tsk. The backwash of a milkshake might be alright. Items like moldy cheese and leftover meat loaf may create stoppages. Consider installing a compost system in your kitchen instead of flushing.

Grease 

It can be a quandary to get rid of that grease from your Sunday breakfast.  Greasy liquid makes for messy garbage. When the fat is thin, it seems like it would flow right through those pipes. But when it congeals, the fat binds with other debris. Rather than ditching it, turn that fat into suet -also known as birdfeed.

Sanitary Napkins and Tampons

Notorious for drain clogs everywhere, these items are one of the worst offenders.  Highly absorbent, once tampons and pads hit the water they expand. Instead, wrap them in paper and throw them in the trash.

Condoms

After a night of fun, it may be difficult to know what to do with the party favors. Flushing them down the toilet is just a bad idea.  They don’t break down in the water.  Bag them.

Pets

Dead or alive – many an unwanted fish has circled the drain. That pipe may look big enough to fit a fish. However, there are curves in pipes. And who knows what other impediments are down there. We understand that it’s hard to know what to do with your little aquatic friend. If it’s alive, give to someone. If it’s passed to the next world, bury it.

Drug Paraphernalia

Remember that scene in Good Fellas when Karen, Henry’s wife, flushes all the drugs? She would have been in BIG trouble had there been a stoppage in the pipes. In similar situations, others have not been as lucky. Either the cops or the plumber found the goods. Explore other options.

Human Body Parts

This should be a no-brainer. Body parts have no place in a toilet.  But, yes, someone has flushed them and it’s documented, right here, in Philadelphia. Notably, by a janitor/plumber who offered testimony at the Kermit Gosnell trial. Don’t even go there.

We hope that you’ve got an idea of items never to flush. If you do end up with a drain blockage, you can count on Guaranteed Plumbing & Heating Inc. for excellent and fast service.