Are Flushable Wipes Really Safe for Your Plumbing?

When comparing flushable wipes to toilet paper, the wipes often come out ahead, but are flushable wipes really safe for your plumbing? That is not the case when it comes to flushing them down the toilet. Although the packaging claims they are septic-safe, there are many reasons why you should avoid flushing them. 

Higher Chance of Clogging

Despite being labeled as “flushable” or “septic-safe,” flushable wipes do not have the same breakdown ability as toilet paper does. Toilet paper is built to break down almost immediately. 

Although wet wipes have a better break down than regular wipes, they still tend to clog your pipes. Clogged pipes mean money down the drain, literally. If you end up having to call a professional, that’s money you could be spending on other adventures. 

Catching on Other Items

There are some items, like paper towels, floss, cotton swabs, and sanitary napkins, that don’t break down easily. This means they could be hanging around your sewer lines. Flushable wipes can easily get caught on those items, causing a large blockage called “ragging.” This will lead to major clogging, something that a regular toilet plunger won’t be able to fix. If that occurs, a phone call to a plumbing company is the first thing you’ll need to do. 

To Flush or Not to Flush

Although flushable wipes are a seemingly wonderful invention, they are not worth the cost of calling a plumbing service. You’ll have a higher risk of clogged sewer lines, an overflow problem, and a constant clean-up on aisle two. Hopefully, the wet wipes world will soon come up with a more flushable product. Until then, using regular toilet paper is probably the way to go.

Prefer the Flushable Wipes?

If you’ve fallen in love with these special wipes, not to worry. You can always dispose of them in the garbage or in a covered pail. If this is too much for you, then saying goodbye to them for good is the best option. Every year, cities spend millions of dollars clearing out blockages caused by wipes that don’t break down properly.

Plumbing Problems?

If you are still having plumbing problems after losing the wipes, you will likely need a professional like Golden Rule Plumbing Services. Our services include residential plumbing, commercial plumbing, plumbing inspections, and 24-hour emergency plumbing. If you need blocked sewer repair or backflow prevention, give us a call.