Are Wet Wipes Safe To Flush?

Can We Flush Wet Wipes Down the Toilets?

You shouldn’t flush wet wipes down the toilet. It’s a common misconception among wipe users because the label says you can flush them. Don’t rely on the manufacturer’s label saying they are flushable; the truth is, they shouldn’t be flushed.

The Global Water Group notes that Australian Water Services allocates $15 million each year to rectify clogged drain issues caused by flushing flushable wipes.

These flushable toilet wipes can block drainage systems and create air bubbles, leading to cavitation. They can also cause overflowing conditions, damage valve seals, enhance the wear of pipes, and cause erosion.

Contaminants can flow down piping and pipes, especially human waste, to create serious hazards to health and safety and to the environment.

Types of Pipe Blockages Caused by Wet Wipes

Wet wipes are one of the major causes of clogged drains and pipes, and they shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet. Australian households have a huge misconception that flushing wipes is okay.

A majority of flushable wipe manufacturers inform customers that their products should be disposed of in a bin, not in the toilet. Households usually encounter these issues when wet pipes start causing pipe blockages.

Wastewater System Issues

The past few years have seen a rise in blocked pipes and plumbing problems due to improper wet wipe disposal. Flushable toilet wipes can still wreak havoc on your home’s plumbing system despite the misleading label.

Once you flush wipes, they will accumulate with other waste products, such as thick toilet paper, baby wipes, toilet cleaning pads, and sanitary pads. They will build up in the pipes, which is why blockages occur.

Wastewater system blockages can be hard to repair. If treatment plants can’t clear these blockages, they will end up in creeks and oceans.

Damaged Home Outdoor Areas

Flushing wipes can cause drain blockage, which can burst pipes, resulting in hefty plumbing bills. If clogged pipes aren’t properly cleared with the correct equipment, they can cause unwanted damage not only to your lawn and garden but also to your main sewer line and create a foul smell.

You can prevent this from happening. Contact our professional plumbers at Link Plumbing. Call us at 0412 056 027, and we’ll have your toilet unblocked right away.

What Should You Do if Your Drain is Clogged Due to Wet Wipes

If your drain becomes clogged due to wet wipes, follow these easy steps:

Step 1: Prepare a plunger, drain snake (toilet jack), rubber gloves, bucket, baking soda, and vinegar to use for de-clogging your toilet.

Step 2: Wear safety rubber gloves before you start using a plunger to keep your hands free from dirt or waste.

Step 3: Using a plunger, pump it many times to generate suction and expel the blockage from the blocked toilet bowl.

Step 4: If the plunger doesn’t work, try using a drain snake or toilet jack. Also known as an auger, slide it into the drain then twist it to disintegrate or grab the wipes or any obstructions.

Step 5: Pour a cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl followed by a cup of vinegar if the plunger or drain snake doesn’t work.

Afterwards, pour a kettleful of hot water. Flush the toilet bowl 2 or 3 times. Once the clog has been cleared, you’ll hear the sucking sound of the water.

Step 6: Hire a professional plumber, if all your efforts didn’t pay off. Call Link Plumbing at 0412 056 027 and let our expert plumbers solve your clogged drain issues.

Do not use cleaning products, including chemical drain cleaners, as none of those work on a clogged toilet bowl. The compound will only remain at the very bottom because it’s denser than water and will never rise over the siphon curve to the clog.

Never flush down items like non-flushable wipes, regular toilet paper wipes, dental floss, and cotton swabs into the toilet bowl or bathroom drain, as these can cause serious clogs.

Blocked Drain Problems? Contact Link Plumbing

Never again worry about blocked drains. Contact Link Plumbing for help. Our highly trained plumbers can take care of your clogged drains, particularly blocked toilets caused by wipes.

We are Sydney’s most reliable blocked drain clearing service, available 24/7. We offer a wide range of excellent and efficient drain cleaning services. Our experienced blocked drain plumbers have the expertise and advanced equipment to clear your blocked drains, perform CCTV drain inspections, and apply advanced drain solutions.

Trust us to resolve your congested drain problems. Call us today at 0412 056 027 and request an appointment.

FAQs

1. How should you properly discard disposable wipes?

Throw them in the bin, and don’t get them flushed in the toilet.

2. If it says ‘flushable’ on the product’s label, does it mean it is really flushable?

Never flush flushable wipes into the toilet bowl. They can cause huge damage to your sewage system. Remember, they are not safe to flush.

3. Wipes are harmful to seas and sewers, right?

Yes, because wipes are composed of non-woven material that is not biodegradable. They are also manufactured to be durable, which makes them difficult to deteriorate.

4. What is the best way to reduce the use of wet wipes?

You can minimise your wet wipe usage using reusable cloth, paper towels, a bidet, cotton balls, and other biodegradable options.

5. Should we recycle wet wipes?

Cosmetic wipes, baby wipes, and bathroom cleaning wipes are disposable and not recyclable. The best and only way to dispose of them is to put them in the trash bin.