Why you Should Never Flush Wipes Down your Toilet

With toilet paper flying off the shelves the past few weeks, it may have left you wondering about your supply of toiletries and what you could use in the event you run out of toilet paper. Is it OK to flush wipes down the drain? The answer is NO.

The California State Water Board is urging the public not to flush wipes or paper towels down the toilet. Instead – simply throw them away.

On March 17, 2020 the California State Water Board stated, “Flushing wipes, paper towels and similar products down toilets will clog sewers and cause backups and overflows at wastewater treatment facilities, creating an additional public health risk in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Even wipes labeled “flushable” will clog pipes and interfere with sewage collection and treatment throughout the state.”

As consumers, it can be confusing because some hygienic wipes labels include words such as “biodegradable” or “flush-able.” Although these types of wipes technically “flush” down the toilet and may break down over time, they may not break down before a stoppage occurs. The wipes can get caught in your drains – it’s like throwing a cotton ball down a pipe lined with sand paper.

Thicker two and three-ply fluffy toilet paper can also have problems breaking down in drain lines, so avoid using the extra fluffy type of toilet paper when possible. When it doubt, throw it in the trash!

In the event you do have problems with your drains, we’re open for service and ready to help. Give us a call at 619-583-7963 or contact us online.