Are Flushable Wipes Really Safe for Your Pipes?
You’re in the store, staring at a pack of ‘flushable’ wipes, debating if they’re a game-changer or a plumbing disaster waiting to happen. You’ve heard the horror stories—clogged pipes, overflowing toilets, expensive sewer repairs—but surely these wipes are safe, right? After all, it says ‘flushable’ right on the label!
The truth? ‘Flushable’ doesn’t mean safe for your plumbing. And what you don’t know can lead to a major mess.
The Truth About Flushable Wipes
There are lots of things that you could technically flush down your toilet without an immediate clog, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t sitting in your sewage lines, waiting to put a damper on your day. At Barker and Sons, we like to say, “Just because you can flush it doesn’t mean you should.” And flushable wipes? They’re one of the biggest repeat offenders.
Unlike toilet paper, which breaks down almost instantly, flushable wipes hold their shape—sitting in your pipes, collecting grease, hair, and other debris. Eventually, this turns into a clog that can back up your entire sewer line. If you’re lucky, it’s just a slow drain. If you’re not? It’s an expensive repair and a very bad day.
And if your pipes are lucky enough to escape disaster and you avoid the slow drains and sewer cleaning, the city pumps may not be so fortunate. When the city pipes have major clogs, it can go from affecting one household to entire neighborhoods. Basically, it’s a good way to ruin everybody’s day, like that time your oldest accidentally used cayenne pepper instead of cinnamon to make French Toast for the family.
What to Do Instead of Flushing Flushable Wipes
Just because you shouldn’t flush flushable wipes doesn’t mean you can’t still use them. They just need to be thrown away rather than flushed. Or, if you’re looking for an excuse to justify a bathroom remodel, there are toilet upgrades that can leave you feeling just as clean without having to worry about disposal methods.
At Barker & Sons, we offer full bidet installations. If your home is older, or the plumbing isn’t equipped to handle a bidet, we still have options for you. We can also install toilets that work with an attachable bidet. It’s a combination of a normal toilet and a bidet, so it works with traditional plumbing hookups while offering a new way to stay clean.
Practical Plumbing Solutions with Barker and Sons
Just because flushable wipes like to wreak havoc on your plumbing doesn’t mean you’re stuck with toilet paper. With modern plumbing technology, we can make clean happen without creating a clog in your system. If you’re ready to transform your bathroom experience, give us a call today.
