Avoiding Blockages

What Should and Shouldn't Be Put Down Toilets - A Guide to Avoiding Costly Blockages

Toilets are designed for a specific purpose, yet many people treat them as an all-purpose waste disposal unit. This common mistake can lead to blocked pipes, unpleasant odours, and expensive maintenance bills.

The cost of clearing blockages will be passed onto those responsible, making it more important than ever to know what should and shouldn't be put down the loo.

What Should Go Down the Toilet?

The answer is simple: only the three Ps should go down the toilet—pee, poo, and (toilet) paper. Toilet paper is specially designed to break down quickly in water and pass easily through the sewage system. Human waste, naturally, is also suitable. Anything else can cause serious problems.

What Shouldn't Go Down the Toilet?

Here's a list of common household items that should never be flushed:

• Wet wipes (including those labelled 'flushable'): These don't disintegrate like toilet paper and can create stubborn blockages.
• Sanitary products: Tampons, pads, and liners absorb water and expand, causing pipes to clog.
• Cotton buds and cotton wool: These don't break down and can snag on pipework, forming blockages.
• Nappies and incontinence pads: Far too bulky and absorbent for toilet systems.
• Dental floss and hair: These tangle together and trap other debris, quickly clogging drains.
• Food waste and cooking fat: Grease solidifies in pipes, while food scraps fail to break down.
• Medicines and chemicals: Flushing chemicals pollutes water supplies and harms wildlife.
• Paper towels and tissues: These are stronger than toilet roll and do not break down as easily.
• Plastic Toilet Rim Fresheners:  These hang on the side of the toilet bowl but can fall into the toilet, causing toilets to block.

Why Is This Important?

When inappropriate items are flushed down toilets, they can cause sewers to block, that can result in blocked toilets in your own home and can also cause flooding

This means a careless flush could leave you facing a hefty, and entirely avoidable, bill. The cost of clearing a blocked toilet can start at around £100 but can rise significantly if the blockage is severe or affects shared drains.

Keeping your toilet free of blockages is easy: remember the three Ps and throw everything else in the bin. By following these simple rules, you'll protect your pipes, avoid unnecessary expenses, and help prevent pollution of our waterways. So, next time you're tempted to flush something questionable, think twice—your pocket (and the planet) will thank you.