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Blocked Toilet? Think Before You Flush Down These Things

January 14, 2021

It doesn’t take a genius to understand what to flush down a toilet and what to not. Yet, so many times, we face the problem of a clogged toilet. Allow us to walk you through at least some items you should not flush down a toilet.

Things you must NEVER flush down

There could be many small things that we do not think of as problem-causing items, but these are the major cause of blocked drains in Melbourne and the world over. Here is a list of some of them.

  1. Plastic items like condoms

Items that are made of plastic and polythene will not pass through the drainage. They will get stuck at some or the other chamber or crevice, leading to a blocked toilet. So, items like condoms and balloons should not be flushed. They come with instructions of more appropriate disposal.

  1. Chemicals like perfumes and medicines

There is, technically, no problem with dissolving items like medicines and perfumes. You should still not be flushing things that contain harmful chemicals. It does not necessarily cause damage to your toilet or drain but it contaminates the water at large.

A blocked toilet in Melbourne is not the only issue here, but we must think of the bigger picture. There is a system in place to clean blocked drains in Melbourne and for water purification. Flushing down chemicals and medicines will negatively affect that.

  1. Fatty substances

Many people have a habit of flushing their old, unwanted cosmetic items. Some people also flush out leftover food. That is a problematic practice, contributing to a blocked toilet in Melbourne and globally too.

Fatty substances like oil, butter and fats from cosmetics like moisturizers and foundations do not get dissolved in water. So, they keep floating. Also because of the temperature of the water, they turn into a solid or semi-solid form. There are chances of them getting stuck at openings of drains causing blocked drains.

  1. Toiletries like diapers, tampons, sanitary napkins

Toiletries that absorb bodily fluids like diapers, tampons and sanitary napkins are completely unsafe for flushing. They lead to massive blocked drains. The materials used in this kind of products expand when they come in contact with fluids. So instead of getting dissolved, these products will double in their size when they come in contact with water. That obstructs the flow in the drains. They should not be flushed down.

  1. Dental floss, paper towel and cosmetic wipes

Hygiene products like dental floss, paper towels, cosmetic wipes and baby wipes are made of synthetic material. Their thick material is not meant to get disposed of in the toilets. Materials like dental floss may seem very harmless. On the contrary, they form huge balls and cause a blocked toilet.

Usually, when any of these things get stuck in your toilet, you have no choice but call a plumber, who will know how and where exactly the material can be stuck. Hence, for all your plumbing needs, visit Pinnacle Plumbing — Australia’s most trusted plumbers — or call to talk to one of our experts.

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