Let’s face it – we’ve all been tempted to flush something down the toilet at one time or another that we know that we probably shouldn’t. Toddlers love to flush all kinds of unflushable items down the commode just to see it swirl down to its inevitable fate in the sewers. There may be items that are labeled as okay to flush but aren’t, or some things just seem like they should be just fine to throw down the toilet.

To avoid the heartbreak of an overflowing toilet or worse yet burst sewer lines, here’s a very easy guide on what should go down the toilet and what should not. The only products that should ever be released are urine, feces, and toilet paper. It’s as simple as those three things: number 1, number 2, and the beloved toilet paper.

There are many items on the market today that say they are okay to flush but in reality, they can cause costly long-term damage to our sewer system or your own pipes. Tampons, baby wipes, and makeup remover tissues don’t break down fast enough in the sewers and cause widespread damage to the waste management system. Don’t even think about flushing items like diapers, condoms, cat litter, dental floss, or even hair down the toilet. Interested in learning more? Meet the Unflushables created by Metro Vancouver for preventing problems in the pipes.

Another item that should get a full mention is expired medication. Prescription medicines or old cough syrup should never go down the toilet. Although there are processes in place to remove toxic chemicals and other pollutants from wastewater it’s not possible to get all of it. The prescription medicine that you flush down today could end up contaminating the environment tomorrow. Many communities have programs to dispose of unwanted pills, so check out the British Columbia Medications Return Program (BCMRP) or contact your doctor or pharmacy to find one.

You may wonder why anyone would try to mislead you into thinking it’s okay to flush items down the toilet if it harms the waste management system. The answer is that there is no standard set for labeling products. It’s a useful marketing tool to label something as flushable because it makes the item more appealing. So just ignore the labels and remember to only flush bodily waste and toilet paper. Your pipes will thank you for it.

If trouble does befall the pipes and a sewer blockage or drainage clog needs attending to, the Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley regions count on McRae’s Septic! Looking for Septic Pumping, Sewer & Catch Basin Cleaning or Power Sweeping? McRae’s has you covered… Just call toll free @ 1-888-894-4411 or email us for your quote.