Wet wipes are a useful invention. They are easy to use, ideal for quick cleanups, and as the packaging says, they are flushable. Most homeowners barely think before flushing these wipes down the toilet, especially those marked ‘flushable’ by the manufacturer. However, they don’t realize the harm they cause to the plumbing system. Flushing anything except toilet paper and human waste down the toilet poses a threat to the sewer and home plumbing system, as they are not designed or meant to handle other items.
Homeowners who regularly flush wet wipes are most likely to experience plumbing problems that lead to enormous repair costs.Â
Let’s look at a few reasons why flushing flushable wipes is a bad idea:
Slow breakdown
Wipes are quite different from toilet paper. While the toilet paper breaks apart in a day or so, wipes take a much longer time to break down. Wipes are made from synthetic materials, and though they dissolve eventually, the time it takes to do so is significantly longer. Over time, they collect and result in a large enough build-up to clog pipes and sewer systems. Many plumbing professionals have found wet wipes in the same condition, even after long since flushed.Â
The fatberg effect
Fatberg means a large and hard mass of solid waste accumulated in the sewage system comprising fat, solid grease, dirt, wet wipes, and other hygiene and sanitary products that have been flushed down the toilet. All these create an iceberg-like formation, severely clogging drains and pipes. Sewage professionals have found fatbergs longer than ten feet and weighing over a hundred pounds in the sewage systems. Softball is a term used to describe clogs that are smaller than fatbergs but are equally damaging. Fatbergs and softballs are severely unhygienic and result in plumbing repairs worth thousands of dollars.
Damage to the sewer system
When the wipes do not create blockages and move smoothly through the pipes to end-up in the sewer system, they can damage and block the home septic system. The consequences of wipes accumulated in the septic tank include a backed-up sewer system and overflowing drains, sinks, toilet, and bathtub.Â
The risk is higher for older homes
Flushable wipes can wreak havoc on homes with an old plumbing system. The pipes in older homes become fragile, brittle, corroded, and develop holes after many years of usage. When wipes are flushed down such drains, they get tangled with other items and substances that may have made their way into the pipes, creating clogs that may be extremely tough to clear.
No matter how useful flushable wipes may appear, they are not something that should end up in the toilet. Don’t be deceived by what is written on their package; reports suggest the ill effects of flushable wipes on the household plumbing and sewage system. For homeowners who use flushable wipes, the best way to dispose of them is to toss them into a trash can to ensure an optimally-functioning plumbing system.
Get a local plumber on call if there are clogs and blockages in the home plumbing system or if it needs any repairs or replacements.
Royalty Plumbing offers high-quality residential plumbing services in the areas of Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Summerlin.