Weird Things People Have Flushed Down the Toilet
We all need to use bathroom facilities many times a day. The primary objective is to facilitate waste disposal and soiled paper products. Even though this is the toilet’s primary function, inappropriate items being flushed down are a common source of backups and blockages. Strange and potentially harmful items are among those that people flush down the toilet. This article will discuss the top ten weird things people have flushed down the toilet and why it’s important not to flush anything except human waste and toilet paper.
Mobile Phone
Has that happened to you? That your mobile fell in the toilet bowl. You will be surprised to know that people knowingly or unknowingly flush mobile phones down the toilet. Nowadays, it is a common practice to bring mobile phones inside a Toilet.
These kinds of occurrences are becoming more common in the present day. There have been instances when individuals have accidentally flushed their phones down the toilet and not attempted to retrieve them. Flushing your mobile phone down the toilet can cause costly damage.
Goldfish
Weird things people have flushed down the toilet, including goldfish. When people become tired of keeping goldfish as pets, they often believe it is a good idea to flush them down the toilet. However, this may have a devastating effect on the natural world.
Because they are not native to river environments, goldfish may pose a threat to native wildlife. Goldfish are delicate and may be easily killed by flushing them down the toilet. Donating a pet is a preferable alternative to just throwing it out.
Money
Can you imagine that people can even flush money down the toilet? It is not uncommon for people to flush money down the toilet, whether on purpose or accidentally. However, flushing money down the toilet is not advised as it can clog pipes and lead to expensive plumbing repairs.
If you accidentally drop money in the toilet, it’s best to retrieve it using tongs or gloves and dispose of it properly. If you intentionally flush money down the toilet, it is important to note that it is illegal to destroy or deface the currency.
Dentures
It’s not a common occurrence to discover your missing dentures in the bathroom, but it does happen. Sometimes they forget while washing, and try to flush it down the toilet. Some individuals have tried flushing artificial teeth down the toilet. Artificial teeth do not decay like natural teeth.
Therefore, they can cause costly water problems if they become trapped in the plumbing. Flushing dentures down the toilet can not only cause plumbing problems but also harm the environment as they can end up in waterways and harm wildlife. Therefore, it is important to dispose of dentures properly.
Sanitary Pads
During menstruation, women may use tampons or sanitary pads, disposable devices designed to collect and absorb blood. Pads and tampons are often available in public bathrooms for women who use them.
However, many individuals mistakenly believe they may be flushed down the toilet. Both the ecology and the infrastructure may be negatively affected. Cloth sanitary products, such as tampons and pads, should not be flushed into the toilet.
Car Toys
Weird things people have flushed down the toilet, including car toys. Children like imagining adventures with their toys, but their imaginations sometimes run wild. If youngsters keep flushing their car toys, severe plumbing and pipe damage might occur. Toy cars don’t decompose, so they may create serious issues with your plumbing if they get caught in there.
Cigarette Butts
Cigarette butts should not be flushed down the toilet since the wastewater cleansing system cannot break them down. They are harmful to ecosystems and may clog water pipes. Cigarette ash may contain toxic chemicals and contribute to the formation of fatbergs, both of which may wreak havoc on a clogged sewer system.
Cooking Grease
Grease from the kitchen should never be disposed of in the toilet or any other drain since it might solidify and create a blockage. It is expensive to clear the pipes if they get blocked. Fatbergs, which occur when oil is used for cooking, cause severe issues for the wastewater system. Once grease has cooled, it may be recycled or discarded. Do not flush it down the toilet as a method of disposal.
Barbie Dolls
It’s been said that an everyday activity for young girls is to flush their Barbie dolls. Dolls don’t biodegrade, so the results might be disastrous if caught in a drain or sewer. If Barbies and other plastic toys wind up in the ocean or rivers, they might inflict as much damage as any other plastic toy.
Why It’s Important Not to Flush Anything Except Human Waste and Toilet Paper:
Flushing anything other than human waste and toilet paper might harm the lines and the environment, as we have seen above examples. It may be expensive to repair, or you may need to call a plumber. Only human waste and used toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet to prevent clogging and backup.
Conclusion:-
A toilet should only be used for human waste and toilet paper to dispose of garbage properly. Flushing anything else down the toilet would be a significant mistake. It may increase the chance of environmental damage and fatberg formation. This might cause damage to the water supply. Both adults and children should be aware of what can and cannot be flushed. This prevents harmful substances from entering the environment and reduces the need for costly repairs.
What Happens If You Accidentally Flush Something Down the Toilet?
Accidentally flushing something down the toilet can cause a variety of problems. If the item is small enough it can pass through the plumbing without problem, but if it is large enough it can get stuck in the pipes causing clogs and toilet overflows.
What Happens If You Flush Plastic Down the Toilet?
Flushing plastic down the toilet can clog pipes, damage plumbing systems, damage wastewater treatment plants, pollute waterways, and harm aquatic life. This is why plastic is not recommended down the toilet.
Are Condoms Flushable?
No, condoms are not flushable and should never be flushed down the toilet. Condoms are made of latex or other non-biodegradable materials that do not break down easily in water. Its accumulation can lead to wastewater backup. Condoms can also cause fatberg to develop when flushed down the toilet.
Can You Retrieve Something Flushed Down the Toilet?
It is possible to recover something that has been flushed down the toilet, but how quickly you can recover it depends on where it is in the plumbing system. To retrieve an item that has been flushed from the toilet, first turn off the water supply, and if the item is visible and within your reach, you may be able to use gloves or tools (such as tongs, coat hangers, or plungers) to retrieve it. If the item is not visible or you are unable to retrieve it, you may need to call a plumber. A plumber will have the tools and skills to locate and remove the item safely.
What Should You Not Flush Down the Toilet?
Flushing anything other than human waste and toilet paper can cause plumbing problems and environmental damage. Those repairs can be expensive, or you may need to call a plumber. Only human waste and used toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet to prevent back-up.
What Things Are Flushed Down the Toilet?
Toilets should only be used for human waste and toilet paper to ensure proper waste disposal. Flushing anything else down the toilet would be a significant mistake. It can lead to environmental damage and plumbing problems.