Humans like convenience. This might be why many people toss so many foreign objects into the toilet. The licensed plumbers here at Mr. Rooter Plumbing have found many culprits of clogs, ranging from kitty litter and paper towels to cotton swabs and baby diapers. One thing a lot of people are unsure about is flushing baby wipes. They are not much different than toilet paper, are they? Yes, they are very different. Though the baby wipes will flush down the toilet easily, it's what happens down the line that should worry you. Continue reading to learn about the effects of baby wipes on your toilet drains. If you have any questions or concerns, or if you would like to hire a qualified plumber, then feel free to call Mr. Rooter Plumbing.
Do Not Toss Baby Wipes in the Toilet
We could cut this article short and just tell you not to flush baby wipes down the toilet. Frankly, this is exactly what we are telling you. Here is why.
Baby wipes are incredibly durable, which is great when wiping your child. However, that durability is exactly what makes them unsuitable for the toilet drains. Flushing baby wipes down the toilet will be a great gamble. Sure, there is a chance that the baby wipes safely make their way through the toilet drains, out the sewer line, and down the sewer main. There is also a high possibility that the baby wipes get snagged somewhere along the line. Thats when you can expect a blockage and the associated consequences.
Try This Quick Experiment
If you do not want to take our word for it, then try this quick experiment to see why baby wipes are so problematic for the plumbing system:
Grab a couple of bowls or buckets and fill them with water. Toss toilet paper in one and baby wipes in the other. Next, you can either leave them there for several minutes or stir each, imitating a toilet flush. In both cases, you will notice that the toilet paper breaks down over time while the baby wipes keep their shape.
Now picture this experiment in your drain line or sewer line and imagine all of the debris that this baby wipe can catch. In fact, baby wipes play a big role in the development of fatbergs, or congealed masses of grease and debris that form in sewer systems.
What NOT to Toss in The Toilet
Baby wipes are among the most common things that are inappropriately flushed down the toilet. Other items include:
In short, you want to avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper, pee, and poo. The toilet is not a trash bin. Again, you should only flush toilet paper, pee, and poo.
Dealing with A Clogged Toilet?
If your toilet is not flushing or, worse, is backing up, then grab the phone and call Mr. Rooter Plumbing to arrange an urgent dispatch. We can have a reliable plumbers come by and unclog that toilet as soon as within the hour.