As a new homeowner you may not know the ultimate plumbers top tips. Well listen up. In this article we offer the most important advice any houseowner could want to know about how to prevent plumbing blockages and keep your home flowing beautifully. Read on to learn more.

remember the plumbers top tips to keep your bathroom clean and free flowing — Remember the plumbers top tips to keep your bathroom free flowing

Photo by VirgoStudio

7 Things Your Plumber Won’t Thank You for Flushing: Common Mistakes to Avoid

We’ve all been tempted to flush the odd thing that probably shouldn’t go down there. A cotton bud here, a makeup wipe there… what’s the worst that could happen, right?

Well, your pipes would like a word.

Unless it’s good old toilet paper or, well, you, it’s better off in the bin. Flushing the wrong stuff can clog up your plumbing faster than a blocked group chat. And trust us, the repair bill? Not nearly as fun as ignoring the problem.

The good news? A few small habit tweaks in the bathroom can save you a ton of hassle (and money). Your future self and your plumber will thank you.

💡 Pro tip: When in doubt, trash it. Your toilet is not a magic portal to Narnia.

1. Disposable wipes labelled flushable

Gospel to the plumbers top tips is never flush disposable wipes, even if they say they are flushable.

You might think it’s safe to flush wipes that say “flushable” on the package. The truth is, most plumbers disagree. These wipes don’t break down as easily as toilet paper does once they’re in your pipes.

Even though the packaging says they’re suitable for flushing, disposable wipes can still clog your plumbing. They stay together in water and can tangle up with other waste. This can lead to blockages in your pipes or even in the larger sewer system.

Plumbers see these wipes causing problems all the time. If they get stuck, you might end up with a slow drain or worse, a backup. The wipe might leave your toilet bowl easily, but it doesn’t mean it’s gone for good.

It’s better to bin used wipes instead of flushing them. It helps keep your pipes clear and saves you money on future repairs.

2. Dental floss

Flushing dental floss down the toilet might seem harmless, but it’s actually a big problem for your plumbing.

Dental floss does not break down in water like toilet paper does. Most floss is made from nylon or similar materials, which means it can stay intact for a long time after being flushed.

When you flush floss, it can tangle with other items in your pipes. It easily wraps around hair, wipes, or anything else building up inside your plumbing.

These tangles can create stubborn blockages. Over time, clumps of floss can grow larger and restrict the flow of water, leading to slow drains or even full clogs.

If a plumber has to clear out a blockage caused by dental floss, it often takes more effort and may cost more to fix.

Floss also causes problems beyond your home. When it leaves your plumbing, it can end up in water treatment plants or the environment, where it adds to pollution.

Instead of flushing, throw your used floss in the bin. It’s an easy way to protect your pipes and help the environment.

With the plumbers top tips as your guide don’t underestimate dental floss

Photo by Brett Jordan

3. Cooking oil, grease and fat

Remember your elementary school science, also one of the plumbers top tips, fats solidify when they cool, so don’t pour any fats down any plumbing pipes. You might think liquid cooking oil, grease, or fat will slide down the drain easily. But once they cool, they start to thicken and stick inside your pipes. This can quickly cause clogs.

Pouring fats or grease down your drain encourages build-up. When fat hardens, it grabs onto food scraps, hair, and other debris. Over time, this sticky mess forms a stubborn blockage.

If you keep doing this, you’ll probably find water draining slowly. In worse cases, it could cause all your drains to back up. Your plumber will then have to work hard to clear the pipes.

The best thing to do with cooking fat is to let it cool, then throw it in the bin. For used oil, pour it into a container and put it in the rubbish. This keeps your pipes clear and saves everyone a big headache.

4. Sanitary products

Sanitary products like pads, tampons, and panty liners should never go down the toilet. They are made to absorb liquid, not break apart in water. When you flush them, they can swell up and block your pipes.

These products do not dissolve like toilet paper. Even products labelled as “flushable” can cause problems, because they do not break down properly.

If sanitary products get stuck, they might cause an expensive plumbing issue. They can also clog up the sewage system in your neighbourhood.

You might think that one small item won’t matter, but over time, they build up. The best way to dispose of sanitary items is to wrap them up and put them in the bin.

Keeping these products out of the toilet helps prevent messy blockages and protects the pipes in your home. This ranks high among the plumbers top tips and your plumber will thank you for it.

5. Bandages

You might think tossing a used bandage into the toilet is easy and quick. But most bandages are made with plastic materials that don’t break down in water.

When you flush bandages, they can get stuck in your pipes. This can cause clogs or even bigger plumbing issues.

Bandages also don’t dissolve over time like toilet paper does. They just sit in the pipes and may clump together with other things.

If bandages reach the sewer or water systems, they can contribute to pollution. Non-biodegradable items harm the environment and take a long time to break down.

The best way to get rid of bandages is to throw them in the bin. This helps keep your plumbing safe and protects local water systems too.

6. Medication and drugs

Flushing old pills or leftover medicine down the toilet can cause more harm than you might think. The water treatment process can’t always remove the chemicals found in medication and drugs.

When you flush them, these substances can end up in rivers and lakes. This affects wildlife and can even make the water unsafe for people. Fish and other animals can become sick when they are exposed to these chemicals.

It does not help with clogs or cleaning your drains, either. In fact, it only creates more problems outside your home.

Instead of flushing old medicine, take it to a pharmacy or a local drop-off site. Many places will help you get rid of medicine safely.

Keep both your plumbing and the environment safe by never flushing medication or drugs. Your plumber, and the planet, will thank you.

7. Cotton buds

You might think cotton buds are small enough to flush without causing problems. But they can actually cause a lot of issues once they go down your toilet.

Cotton buds don’t break down in water. Instead, they stay solid and get stuck in pipes quite easily. When this happens, they can help block your pipes and lead to nasty clogs.

These tiny objects sometimes slip past water treatment plants as well. If they reach rivers or the sea, they add to water pollution and can harm wildlife.

Most plumbers need to deal with clogs caused by things like cotton buds. The best place for them is the bin, not the toilet. A vital mantra among the plumbers top tips, if in doubt, bin it!.

If you flush them, you might end up with blocked pipes at home, or even bigger sewer problems for your whole street. Using a bin keeps your plumbing and the environment safer.

Remember the Plumbers Top Tips

Don’t Flush The Wrong Things!

Flushing the wrong stuff might feel like a shortcut now, but it can lead to some seriously grim plumbing problems down the line.

If your drains have been acting up or you’re just curious about what’s lurking in your pipes, it might be time to get a professional look. Wondering about drain survey cost? Give Jonny’s Drains a call—he’s the local legend who’ll sort your pipes without rinsing your bank account. He’s seen it all (yes, even that), and he’ll help you get things flowing again before you need to bring out the mop bucket.

Stay true to the plumbers top tips and your plumbing should flow just beautifully.