Flushing a tampon down the toilet is one of those things people do even though they know they’re not supposed to. This is why we decided to dedicate an entire post to this. This just might prevent an emergency plumbing call down the line for a few homeowners.
Why Flushing a Tampon Down the Toilet Is Bad
Most people know not to flush anything manmade other than toilet paper. What makes flushing a tampon especially bad? Tampons are bad for two reasons: they are not biodegradable, and they can swell to 10 times their size when they’re soaked. This makes them a common cause of toilet backups. We can’t tell you the number of times we have found tampons in the drainage when clearing a clog.
If you’re still tempted to flush used tampons out of habit, then consider this warning from Tampax: According to the popular tampon maker, users should never flush the tampons, the applicator, or wrapper down the toilet.
What About Flushable Tampons?
Some tampon brands claim their product is flushable. Even when that’s the case, we still recommend erring on the side of caution. Products have to pass the Brunelle Flushability Test to be considered flushable. To pass the test, the item has to be able to pass a drain’s U-bend pipe.
Here’s the problem: even if a tampon manages to pass the U-bend it still has a series of other pipes it must negotiate. This presents plenty of other opportunities for the tampon to become stuck.
We’ll Clear a Tampon-Induced Backup
Call Plumbing & Heating Specialist for plumbing maintenance or heating services. We especially recommend the latter now that winter is approaching. Our special offers make both services affordable. Flushing a tampon down the toilet is a no-no, so please don’t do it just because it’s convenient.
Edited by Justin Vorhees
Snohomish Winter Plumbing Services
Serving Customers in Snohomish, King & Pierce Counties, including Lynnwood, Mukilteo, Edmonds, Mill Creek, Bothell, Snohomish, Shoreline, Brier, Mountlake Terrace, Maltby, Lake Forest Park, Everett, Marysville, Lake Stevens & Woodway
