People dispose of all types of things in the toilet, unaware of the damage it can cause to their plumbing system. It might be out of sight and out of mind in the short term, but these items can come back to haunt you in the form of a blocked drain, blocked toilet or blocked sewer line. Here’s a list of 10 things that don’t belong in the loo.

1. Pets

Goldfish are popular pets in Australia because they are cheap, quiet and low maintenance. However, it’s not uncommon for people to flush them down the toilet if they become ill or die. One small fish might seem harmless enough, but there are plenty of good reasons why they shouldn’t be flushed. If the fish is unwell, for example, the disease it’s carrying could be transmitted to local species. Alternatively, it could get caught amongst other debris resulting in a blocked drain Sydney.

It should go without saying, but larger pets such as mice, birds and guinea pigs should never be flushed down the toilet. Give them a proper burial or have them cremated.

2. Wet wipes

Unlike toilet paper, wet wipes don’t break down easily in water. Even “flushable” wet-wipes can create havoc in your pipes, leading to blocked drains. In fact, manufacturers of flushable wipes have faced legal action in Australia, accused of making false and misleading claims about the nature of their products. When wipes come into contact with FOG (fats, oil and grease) they can cause “fatbergs” which are virtually indestructible.

3. Underwear

If you’ve had an accident and are trying to hide the evidence, flushing your underwear down the toilet might seem like a good idea. It’s not. Just because you manage to get them down, it doesn’t mean they won’t see the light of day again. Having to call a Sydney plumber to fish out your soiled underwear from a blocked drain is no fun at all.

4. Condoms

Many people believe that condoms are biodegradable because they are made from latex rubber, a naturally derived product of rubber trees. However, manufacturers of latex condoms often add other ingredients into the mix, to make them more comfortable and to prevent them from breaking - which is the whole point really. Other condoms contain no latex, and are instead made from from materials such as silicone and Polyurethane, neither of which are biodegradable. Even biodegradable condoms made from lambskin can cause blocked drains Sydney and should never be flushed down the toilet.

5. Tampons

Tampons expand in water which means they can block toilets as well as sewers by getting stuck to other things like twigs or rubbish. They are not designed to be flushed because they don’t break down. While it may take some time for them to accumulate and lead to a blocked drain Sydney, eventually a clog will occur and a plumber will need to come and clear it.

6. Nappies

If you’ve got a newborn baby, you’ve probably got enough on your plate without having to deal with a blocked drain. The blockages caused by nappies can be terrible, so dispose of them properly in the bin.

7. Kitty litter

Kitty litter has no place in the toilet, especially the clumping variety that is made from clay. This litter is made to cling together when it comes into contact with moisture. When flushed it can form large clumps in the sewer lines, leading to a blocked drain Sydney. Even kitty litter that’s branded as “flushable” should never be put down the loo. Not only can it mess with your plumbing, it’s also been blamed for the death of marine life.

8. Cigarette butts

We all know smoking is bad for your health, but did you know that it’s bad for your plumbing too? The tightly woven filters of cigarette butts don’t break down when flushed. They float on top of the water, getting trapped in the pipes, causing a blocked drain.

There are three things that can be flushed down the toilet – number ones, number twos and toilet paper. That’s it. Stick to this simple rule and you can avoid the embarrassment of a blocked drain down the track.

Do you have a blocked drain Sydney?

If you’re experiencing problems with drainage, our Sydney plumbers can help. Our fleet is fitted with the latest drain clearing equipment such as high pressured water jets and CCTV drain inspection cameras. We provide obligation free quotes and all our work is guaranteed. Give our licensed plumbers a call today on 1800 22 555 22.