The 7 things you should never flush (yes, even those wipes)
By Marcus Vela
The vast majority of clogged-drain and sewer-backup calls trace back to a handful of culprits. Keep these out of the toilet and the kitchen sink and you’ll dodge most of them.
The toilet is not a trash can
- “Flushable” wipes — they aren’t. They don’t break down and they snag on everything downstream.
- Paper towels & tissues — far tougher than toilet paper; they bind into a plug.
- Cotton products — pads, swabs, and balls absorb water and expand.
- Dental floss — it wraps around other debris and forms nets.
The kitchen sink has limits too
- Grease & oil — liquid when hot, solid in your pipes. Wipe pans and bin it.
- Coffee grounds — they clump and settle like wet sand.
- Fibrous food — celery, onion skins, and potato peels tangle a disposal fast.
A simple rule
If it isn’t pee, poo, or toilet paper, it goes in the bin — not the bowl.
If you’re already seeing slow drains or gurgling, that’s an early warning. A quick camera inspection now is a lot cheaper than a sewer backup later.