Can You Flush Food Down the Toilet?

Flushing unwanted food down the toilet may seem like a tidy solution to an inconvenient problem, but it’s not that simple. Food scraps don’t break down as quickly or as easily as human waste and toilet paper. They can even cause an obstruction in your sewerage pipes, stopping waste from flowing freely down your pipes as it should. If you’re suffering from blocked drains in Berwick or beyond, it could be because you’ve been ill-advisedly flushing food down the toilet. It’s really not worth taking the risk.

Things That Should Never be Flushed Down the Toilet

Flush these food items at your own peril, or else you might find yourself needing a blocked drain plumber sooner rather than later.

Oils and Fats

These substances are problematic because they change state as they cool, going from liquid to solid. If they congeal inside your sewer, they can slow down or even completely stop sewage flow. Oils and fats can have a broader affect than on just your sewerage, too. They can latch onto debris in the pipes, causing matted clumps that can wreak havoc with the sewerage of larger communities. So if you don’t want to be the cause of blocked drains in Berwick, say no to flushing food.

Hard Food Scraps

Hard food scraps that don’t break down very quickly, such as animal bones, corn cobs and apple cores, are also a problem when flushed. They can stop the flow of sewerage in your drain, creating an obstruction. To be on the safe side, simply place these items in the rubbish bin.

Grains

Grains such as rice and oats swell up when added to water, which means that when you flush them down the toilet, they can expand in your pipes, taking up all the available room. That’s not what you want. You can avoid a clogged toilet by never flushing grains down the toilet.

Starchy Foods

Starchy food such as mashed potato should never be flushed down the toilet as the consistency is too thick to be flushed properly. Put any leftover potato in the bin where it belongs.

Alternatives to Flushing

Any blocked drain plumber will recommend that you introduce better waste disposal practices rather than flushing food down the toilet and risking a blocked drain. Try doing these things instead:

• Keep leftovers in the fridge or freezer
• Put cooking fats in an old plastic container or jar and toss it into the trash
• Make a compost pile to break down your food scraps
• Put smelly food scraps in a bag in the freezer until bin day when you can put it on the curb

Suffering from Blocked Drains in Berwick?

If you need a blocked drain plumber, Better Plumbing Solutions is here to help. We also offer additional services, including hot water service replacement in Berwick. Next time you’re suffering from blocked drains in Berwick or any other plumbing problem, get in touch with us today by calling 0468 582 686.