Can Flushable Wipes Damage My Plumbing?

Flushable wipes have been around for over a decade and are designed to be safely flushed down your toilet. Ask any parent, and they will tell you that these wipes are convenient, as they keep their child's delicate bottom dry and can even function as an exceptionally-attached diaper. However, many users think flushable wipes need to be safer for their plumbing systems, and some say they clog their pipes and drains. Are flushable wipes clog-proof? A plumber can tell you — you should not flush "flushable" wipes. If you do, you will likely need a clogged toilet repair.

Are Flushable Wipes Flushable?

Flushable wipes are not flushable. While they may go down the toilet, they don’t break down in the sewer system. They can cause clogs in pipes and sewer lines, leading to expensive plumbing repairs. Even worse, they can cause sewer backups in your home or business.

Do Flushable Wipes Clog Pipes?

While some flushable wipes may make it through your sewer pipes without causing problems, others do not. Many brands of flushable wipes contain materials that do not break down easily in water and can cause significant damage to your drain lines if they do not go down quickly enough or get stuck on a hairpin turn or other obstruction in your pipes. This type of clogging can lead to sewage backups and other serious plumbing issues, so you should avoid using any products labeled as "flushable" or "disposable" in your toilet drains at all times.

Plunger

A basic toilet plunger is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to remove any blockage in your toilet. If you have kids or pets who like playing in the toilet bowl, a plunger is essential for keeping your pipes clear! A plunger is the first line of defense for clogs, including those created by flushable wipes.

Snake

A plumbing snake is a long metal rod with an auger-type head at one end that allows you to dislodge stubborn blockages from your pipes by twisting it back and forth inside them until they break free from their hold on whatever's blocking them (and hopefully come out with it). Snake wands come in different sizes depending on what type of pipe they're designed to work with. When a plunger doesn’t get the job done, a snake might.

Professional Plumbing Service

When everything you’ve tried hasn’t worked, it is time to call in the professionals from Mr. Rooter Plumbing. They know how to perform a clogged toilet repair properly.

Are Flushable Wipes Septic Safe?

The bottom line is that flushable wipes aren’t designed to go into septic or municipal sewer systems (they don’t break down fast enough). If you have a septic tank, it might not be a good idea to use them at all — even if they claim they are "septic-safe"! The same goes for municipal sewer systems; most cities have laws against flushing certain materials down their pipes, so it’s best not to risk it!

What If Flushable Wipes Clogged My Toilet?

Flushable wipes are a convenient way to get rid of the messes that go along with having children. They make it easy to clean up spills and wipe down dirty hands. But they can also cause problems in your plumbing system if you flush them.

Flushable wipes are designed to break down in the water, so they don't clog your pipes like other paper products. However, they're not specifically designed for toilets; they may still cause problems if you flush them down the toilet.

If you flush many flushable wipes down your toilet at once, they can cause clogs and backups in your pipes. The problem is that the product manufacturers need to provide more information about what type of material their wipes are made from or how they should be disposed of effectively.

For example, some contain polyester and polypropylene fibers — materials that don't break down easily in water. Instead, these materials swell when exposed to water, causing blockages in your plumbing system, where they build up into solid masses that clog up your pipes over time.

Mr. Rooter Plumbing

One other thing that may be worth keeping in mind: don't flush things unless you're absolutely sure that they're supposed to go down the drain and not your toilet. Yes, even if a product is made of "flushable" material, this doesn't always mean it should go down the drain. Even items like coffee grounds, hair, and feminine products can cause clogs and obstructions, particularly if you use them in combination with a high-output toilet. If you flush them, you may need a plumbing service sooner rather than later.