Toilets seem like powerful fixtures that can suck everything down and flush it out of sight. However, there are a lot of items that should not be flushed down the toilet, as this can cause major damages to the toilet–and your plumbing!
Can I Flush Food Down the Toilet?
If you’re in a sticky situation, you may want to flush food scraps down the toilet. Many homeowners are frustrated with piling food scraps in their wastebasket and the developing smell. Though the toilet may seem like an attractive option to get food waste out of sight and out of mind, you may want to rethink that.
Can you flush food down the toilet? Technically, you could. You could flush a lot of waste down the toilet.
The important question is: should you flush food down the toilet? The answer to this is a big NO. Nothing should be going down the toilet except toilet paper. What is the specific harm with flushing food down the toilet? Well, the pipes that connect to your toilet are too narrow to handle food scraps. Also, any food scraps you flush down the toilet can have the potential to clog your sewer line and cause a sewage backup in your home. Some foods, such as rice and oats, are very absorbent. This means they can absorb the water and expand, also causing a clog in your toilet or sewer line.
Signs of A Clog In Your Toilet
If you’ve made the mistake of flushing a few food scraps down the toilet and are wondering if you’re dealing with a clogged toilet, keep an eye out for these signs:
- Slow draining toilet
- Water does not flush properly
- Toilet bowl is full or overflowing
- Water stays in the toilet bowl for long periods of time
- When toilet is flushed, water starts to gurgle up in your shower or bathtub drain
- Foul smells surround your toilet
If you notice any of these signs from your toilet, it’s best to act fast and call a plumber in your area!
Call A Plumber For All Toilet Services
There’s a long list of things that shouldn’t go down your toilet, and food is definitely one of them. Food scraps can cause your toilet to become clogged fast, and the consequences can be damaging to your plumbing, toilet, and even your floor when it comes to overflow. If you’ve accidentally flushed a few food scraps down your toilet and are dealing with a clog as a result, it’s better to get an expert plumber on the case as soon as possible! We all make mistakes, but you don’t want to let this clog sit and cause damage, not to mention, you can’t use your toilet when you need to!
Call One Way Rooter & Plumbing for professional plumbing services when your toilet and any other fixture needs expert help! Learn about the One Way Rooter & Plumbing crew and our long list of provided services here.