We’ve talked in the past about things you shouldn’t put down your garbage disposal but many people end up with clogged drains and toilets when they least expect. Why? Well, in some cases it could be the plumbing or natural residue. In other cases, it might be stuff they think is okay to wash or flush away but actually isn’t. Express Septic Services lists four strange things people put down their drains.
Baby Wipes
Baby wipes are soft and comforting and not biodegradable. This means they won’t break down in your plumbing. You might be tempted to flush stinky baby wipes down the toilet but resist the urge, even if they say they are septic safe. Your septic system will have a hard time breaking these wipes down, so throw them in the trash. If you have a diaper genie, toss them in there to reduce baby room odors.
Condoms
We’re sorry to get personal but condoms are not flushable. Even lambskin condoms do not break down in water or in your septic system. They can, however, clog the system as can the baby wipes mentioned above. After a night of romance, dispose of the condoms in the trash. If you’re embarrassed or wish to be discreet, dispose of them in a paper bag, product box, or vitamin bottle you are throwing away.
Dirt
Don’t sweep your kitchen and bathroom floors and then empty the dustpan into the sink, tub, or toilet. This will build up in your plumbing and clog it. Plus, your septic system isn’t designed to handle dirt. The dirt will sink to the bottom of the tank and fill it quickly, which means more pumps than necessary. On average, you should have your septic tank pumped every three to five years. Dispose of dirt in the trash.
Jell-O
This one is the strangest because it probably surprised you. Jell-O, whether in powered or prepared form, will expand in your plumbing and clog it. Avoid flushing any gelatin products down the drain, including Jell-O itself, gelatin capsules, or leftover foods that contain gelatin in them. As mentioned in previous blogs, pasta and rice also expand in your plumbing, so toss it all in the garbage can.
Express Septic Services goes throughout Greenville, Anderson and Spartanburg, SC, to install, maintain, and repair septic systems. Call us today if you suspect something you washed down the drain or flushed down the toilet is causing septic system trouble.