Are Flushable Wipes Actually Flushable? »

Are Flushable Wipes Actually Flushable?

Flushable wipes typically have ‘flushable’ printed on the label. The label is literally taken by consumers to mean that it is safe to flush these wipes down the toilet without any issues. Your plumber will certainly not want you to do so. Sydney Water reports that almost 75% of blockages involve the presence of wipes. The authority spends millions of dollars every year on removing hundreds of tonnes of wipes.

So What’s the Truth about Flushable Wipes?

Most people expect flushable wipes to lose their strength and break down just like toilet paper. They think that wipes will also become safe for the plumbing system. However, this isn’t the case at all. ‘Flushable’ wipes don’t break down like toilet paper does. It is not just flushable wipes that create blockages and require Toiler Repair. Once you flush these wipes down the toilet, they get caught up with other items already present in the sewer line. It is the combination of all these materials that can cause the blockages and backups:

Paper towels
Sanitary pads
Cotton swabs
Toilet cleaning pads

When all these items combine with wet wipes, they create something called ‘ragging’. When such a blockage occurs, you should call your Plumber Sydney. Keep in mind that toilet paper is made to disintegrate, but flushable wipes are not. They are made using polyester, synthetic materials, or plastics that don’t break down. Wipes can absorb clay, sand, and other items in the sewers. All this can turn wastewater into sewer solids, creating ‘fatbergs’.

How Plumbers Remove Blockages?

Your plumber should be conducting camera inspections and using high-pressure water jets to locate and remove such blockages. However, if the blockage is stubborn, excavation may be required. Thus, your so-called ‘flushable’ wipes are capable of causing an expensive Toiler Repair as well. It will involve the use of advanced technology to locate the point and depth of the blockage.

How to Prevent a Sewer Blockage?

Many manufacturers claim that flushable wipes are safe for flushing. However, all the evidence points in the opposite direction. Flushing such wipes increases the risk of the sewer lines getting clogged and requiring costly plumbing services. To many people, ‘flushable’ wipes seem like a great invention. The fact is they are not. You should avoid putting them into the toilet. Toilet paper is the only thing that should be flushed down. It is further recommended to follow these tips to avoid drainage issues in your home:

Flush small amounts of toilet paper at a time
Avoid brushing long hair over the sink
Make sure to use a sink strainer in the kitchen
Check trees and their roots

So, the answer to the question is that ‘flushable’ wipes are not actually flushable. They contain fibres to reinforce them. These are mostly synthetic fibres and create polluting microplastics when flushed down the sewer. So, it is best to avoid disposing of wipes down the toilet or drain to avoid costly toilet repair.