There’s No Such Thing as Flushable Wipes

Despite the advertising and promotional fanfare, the data is clear: there’s no such thing as flushable wipes.

So, this means millions of homeowners across Canada and around the globe are attempting to flush an unflushable product. Only to find that they’re causing significant damage to their plumbing system over time.

Today, our Toronto drain cleaning services team explains more about the damage caused by flushable wipes and explores a few techniques you can use to safeguard your plumbing system for the years ahead.

Wipes Contain Synthetic Fibres and Plastics That Don’t Break Down

If you’re using flushable wipes, you should know these products contain synthetic fibres and plastics that do not break down when flushed. So when you flush a wipe, they don’t break down in the water. The wipes lodge at bends within your plumbing structure and remain there until a qualified plumber can remove them. Millions of homeowners are now causing expensive damage to their home plumbing structures by putting flushable wipes down their drains.

The Municipal Enforcement Sewer Use Group estimates that flushable wipes cause about $250 million in damage across Canadian homes each year. And this is not even taking into consideration the total environmental cost. Flushable wipes and other contaminants make their way into local water sources and kill fish and natural plant life.

The Leading Causes of Damage to Plumbing Systems

Flushing flushable wipes is just one of the many common root causes of damage within plumbing structures. The following mistakes can lead to long-standing plumbing problems in your home:

Pouring Grease Down the Sink

Grease build-up in your drains and plumbing structure is a long-standing problem for many homeowners. When you pour the grease down your drain, the material solidifies over time. This process leads to a solid mass blocking the entire pipe below your sink, potentially causing backups and damaging the whole plumbing system. Place grease in a nearby cup to avoid damaging your home plumbing.

Flushing Cotton Pads & Q-Tips

Many homeowners still believe that they can flush cotton pads and q-tips down their toilet. But unfortunately, these products don’t break down in the way that other paper products do. They build up in your plumbing system over time, and you may only notice that you have caused damage to your home structure when you have a visit from a plumber and get an expensive bill.

Flushing Food

You might think because food breaks down in human waste, it’s okay to flush food down your drains. But while food is biodegradable and will eventually break down into its natural constituent parts, it can damage your plumbing system in the meantime. It may not break down for several months, so you may have a blockage in the bends in your pipes that prevents wastewater from travelling to local sewer sources.

Try to compost any old food products you have around your home. It will not only help the local environment but save you from potentially spending thousands of dollars on plumbing repair.

Signs of Plumbing Problems

You might have already made some of the mistakes we’ve highlighted so far. If you’ve flushed flushable wipes or old food into your plumbing system, you can help save yourself time and money by noting the signs of plumbing issues in your home. When you notice any of these signs, make sure you call your local Toronto drain cleaning services expert to analyze the structure and determine the source of your plumbing problems.

Slow or Pooling Drains

Slow draining is a sign of blockages in your system. It could be that there’s a flushable wipe or another obstacle in the bend in your pipes that is preventing the required amount of water from entering the system. It’s a significant problem when you notice a significant change in water pooling or draining over time. This change in pressure indicates a plumbing emergency and means you should call your plumber right away.

Foul Smells from the Drain

When you notice that the smells from the drain are becoming stronger over time, this could indicate you have a significant plumbing issue. When you flush food, for example, a blockage can form. This obstacle combines food and potentially other sewage. The foul smell from the area can then impact your entire home.

If you’ve cleaned the sink and removed the drain trap and the smell persists, then you probably have a blockage that includes foods and other natural elements.

Brown Spots or Mold Growth

Brown stains on your ceiling or mold growing in your kitchen or bathroom are telltale signs of excess moisture, which could mean there’s a leaky pipe that is causing some trouble. Not only is it an eyesore, mold growth can be unsanitary and dangerous.

If this is the case, it’s best to call a plumber immediately and resolve the issue before it causes further damage to your ceilings, walls, cabinets, or health.

Increased Plumbing Expenses

Calling a Plumber can get expensive pretty quickly, especially if it’s an emergency or repeat visits are required due to flushing wipes. However, if you notice that something’s off with your system, it’s better to do something about it sooner rather than later.

The average cost of a plumber is around $150 but can go as high as $400 if it’s an emergency or depending on the severity of the job. Save yourself the added costs per year by avoiding unflushable items.

Gurgling Toilet

A gurgling toilet is not necessarily the most obvious sign of a problem. Many sounds within the plumbing structure occur as water travels from one point to another. But when you notice a gurgling sound coming from your toilet over several weeks, this could indicate that there’s a significant issue in your plumbing. Potential causes for a gurgling toilet are a blocked vent stack or a blocked sewer line.

Call Drain King Plumbers for Expert Guidance

Our team at Drain King Plumbers helps homeowners throughout the region to maintain their plumbing systems and repair problems when they arise. We work with many homeowners whose systems experience damage from flushable wipes. And we can answer your questions regarding your home plumbing needs.

To learn more about plumbing problems, call Drain King Plumbers at 416-661-5464 or contact us here.