Dumping non-flushable items creates blockages in your private sewer line. The maintenance of these sewer lines is the responsibility of each individual homeowner. Mindfulness protects your pipes and potentially saves you money.
Many products are labeled “flushable” and “biodegradable”. These products, however, do not break down like toilet paper, creating clogs in your sewer system. These clogs lead to slow drainage, untreated wastewater backing up into your home, and are threatening to the environment.
What Can You Do to Protect Your Pipes?
Flushing a desirable amount of toilet paper and human wastes only, is a preventative measure that every homeowner should take. Anything that is not water, toilet paper, or human waste should be disposed of by trash to avoid clogs and sewer backups in your home’s pipes.
What Are Non-Flushable Items?
Common household non-flushable items include, but are not limited to:
- Wipes
- Feminine Products
- Diapers
- Bandages
- Paper towels
- Fats, Oils, Grease
- Food scraps
- Medicines
- Chemicals
Continuous build-up of the above items creates blockages over time. Wastewater treatment systems and the pipes that connect homes to the city’s sewer system are not designed to remove the above items. Cleaning products and other household chemicals are harsh on your home’s plumbing system, and are a potential explosion hazard in our sewer system, putting workers in harm.
Trash It
Protecting your home’s pipes and your wallet is as simple as disposing of household items, harsh chemicals, and leftover food properly. Educating everyone in your home on the importance of throwing the above items away in a trash bin will save you time, money, and frustration in the long run!
For more information on how to maintain your private sewer line, check out our recent blogs.
