We received a call from a homeowner in Hazel Crest stating that her sewer was backing up. She had been experiencing frequent problems with her sewer in the form of gurgling toilets and slow drains. We quickly dispatched a sewer rodding technician to her home and he got to work. He rodded the inside basement stack 105 feet and discovered that the line was full of wipes and feminine hygiene products.
Although marketed as flushable, most wipes on the market today are not flushable. This is because they contain small amounts of synthetic materials, such as plastic or wood, that do not easily break down in water. What happens next is a clog that will continue to grow until it takes up the entire diameter of the pipe, causing a large blockage.
Feminine hygiene products act the same way, however, they can cause even more disruption in pipes. This is because the cotton in them expands when it touches liquid, so they become filled with water and thus, clog your pipes.
The best thing to do? Throw wipes and feminine hygiene products into the trash can. And only flush waste and toilet paper down the toilet.
We’re always here when you need us; 24/7, 365 days a year. Sewer and drain problems can’t wait so call us at Reid & Pederson Drainage today!