Are Flushable Wipes Really Flushable?
You might have chosen to start using them in place of toilet paper or might have seen them on the shelves of your local store. Flushable wipes are one of the most versatile items in the bathroom. Aside from taking the place of toilet paper, they can be used for cleaning up those little messes and are all too convenient if you have small children or pets. Who, as we know, occasionally need to be cleaned after. Versatility aside, the real question is this–are they really flushable, or do they have the potential to cause more harm than good?
The “Flushable” Truth
The truth of the matter is that while flushable wipes are marketed as exactly that–flushable, they can cause blockages in your plumbing. The material that they’re composed of while having a similarity to the toilet paper we use on a regular basis, flushable wipes have a thicker consistency. While they will break down and work their way through your pipes like toilet paper will, they do it at a much slower pace. This means that if a great many of them accumulate and don’t properly break down, they can clog the pipes that are necessary for removing waste from your house.
That being said, these aren’t the only items that people tend to flush that can cause considerable clogging and back up their entire system. Other common items that are guilty culprits of this crime are cotton swabs, paper towels, dental floss, hygiene products, and other disposable items that can typically be found in any bathroom. While these items tend to be small in size, their compound structure means that much like flushable wipes, they take much longer to properly break down after being flushed.
What Happens if There’s a Clog?
If your plumbing is the victim of frequent clogging, chances are there’s an underlying issue that’s much more prominent than a few items being flushed down the water closet. Whether or not you use flushable wipes on a regular basis, frequent clogging problems only mean that there’s an issue with your plumbing that requires the skilled hands of a professional to alleviate the problem. Before you start plunging away and pouring drain cleaner where it might not help…calling a professional is the best course of action to take.
Ryan’s Plumbing
Whether it’s a remodeling job or a pesky log in the way, Ryan’s Plumbing is Sarasota’s best choice for your pipes. For more information, visit us on the web at ryansplumbing.com.
