Why You Should Not Flush Wipes

Why you should not flush wipes is an important question especially when it comes to drain systems, as flushing wipes can lead to damage which will require costly repairs. So, in this article, we will look into why you should avoid flushing wipes down your toilet.

Wet Wipes Do Not Break Down/Apart

A lot of people assume that wipes are safe to flush down the toilet as they will disintegrate after being flushed, however, this is a common myth which is unfortunately widely believed. Unlike toilet paper, wet wipes do not disintegrate once they are flushed down the toilet, which leads to them remaining imperishable after flushing. Many drain engineers have witnessed the unpleasant sight of wet wipes still being found intact inside drain pipes even months after they have been flushed. As the wipes do not break apart, they can become part of a big build-up which results in your drains becoming clogged up.

Don’t Trust Wipes That Are Marketed As ‘Flushable’

This is one of the main issues within the problem, as cleaning wipes, make-up wipes and wet wipes these days boast marketing messages of being flushable. However, the BBC reported in late 2018 that wipes labelled as flushable had failed the UK’s water industry’s disintegration tests. Some wipe manufacturers have argued that their wipes are safe flushing, but it is safer to avoid this as the flushing of wet wipes causes blockages which cost millions to solve and put right. The issue here is more of what happens after they are flushed, rather than whether they can actually be flushed down the toilet. So, you should keep this in mind the next time you think about flushing wipes down your toilet.

Fatberg Effect

The term fatberg first came about in 2015, as a result of a play on the word iceberg, however, instead of being made up of ice, it consists of fat. A fatberg is essentially where non-biodegradable materials such as wet wipes combine with fat, grease and other dirt which is found in pipes and sewer systems as a mass of waste. In certain cases, some fatbergs can be a big problem as they can clog sewer systems and cause overflows in sewer spaces. The result of a fatberg can be very costly if your drains or pipes become blocked, as the only way to resolve the issue is to remove the fatberg. So, to avoid this from happening you must make sure you do not flush away any wipes.

How To Dispose Of Wet Wipes

Solving this issue is simple, to dispose of wipes properly you should always put them in your bin and not down your toilet. Even if the wipes are labelled as flushable you should still place them in your waste bin after they have been used. Ideally, the best solution is not to use wipes, however, we know many people see them as an essential for a variety of uses. On the market, you can also purchase biodegradable/compostable wet wipes which can be disposed of by composting them in your garden. This way you can rest assured that you are disposing your wet wipes in the best possible way to do your bit to help the environment.

You now know why you should not flush wipes, so it is over to you to make sure that you follow this simple instruction moving forward. If you are suffering with blocked drains, contact us today to enquire about our drain unblocking services.