Plumbing in the Home/flushing

Advertisement


Question
Hi, is it safe to flush medicated hemorrhoidal wipes down the toilet?  We are on the town water system.  The package does not say.  Thanks.

Answer
Dear Scott,

  Luckily for me I've never had to use these, so I don't know what size they are. If they are fairly small, like 4" square or so and the material is thin, I'd think they should flush down without a problem. Most of the blockages in toilets occur with thicker objects, like sanitary napkins, Depends pads, sometimes even tampons. If these wipes are a thin material, you should be safe.

  If you are on a municipal sewer system, generally once something goes down the toilet and into the pipe below, it's gone for good. Septic systems are altogether different. All non-organic materials are very damaging. Sharon

Plumbing in the Home

All Answers


Answers by Expert:


Ask Experts

Volunteer


Sharon McCarthy

Expertise

I can help with most questions about residential plumbing repairs. I am familiar with septic systems, and can answer some questions about water wells. I have no experience with commercial plumbing or codes.

Experience

I have been a sole-proprietor service plumber in two small towns north of Phoenix Arizona for 26 years.

Publications
I wrote a monthly column for the United Steelworkers of America local 1033 [Chicago] newsletter from 1978 to 1982. I wrote an article for "The Theosophist" in 1977 and have had dozens of letters to the editor in many newspapers, including a recent "My Turn" article in the Arizona Republic.

Education/Credentials
High school and three years of college. My step-father, having worked 40 years in the plumbing trade in Chicago, trained me for two years. The rest has been hands-on experience.

Past/Present Clients
Many hundreds of good people in Cave Creek and Carefree Arizona

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.