Keep your drains clear with this simple list of items to avoid flushing!

Guy J. • January 21, 2021

Many homeowners believe that plumbing problems can be solved easily with DIY solutions.

Prevent Plumbing Problems with DIY solutions

While the toilet has been around since the 1500s (depending on your choice of plumbing historian), some people still apparently consider it to be a thing of magic, instantly removing anything unwanted and unappealing with just a single flush. If anyone knows better, it’s a trained plumber...and the homeowner who had to pay said plumber to extricate that discarded item. As a helpful refresher, we submit a list of items that definitely should not be shown their exit via your toilet...


1. Tissues AND Paper Towels – Not all paper is created equal. While toilet paper is acceptable, tissues and paper towels do NOT disintegrate in the sewer line. .

2. Cooking Grease and Oil– As straightforward as some of these items will appear...they’re only on the list because at one point, someone clearly felt otherwise. Why no cooking oil or grease? Once it congeals into fat, it is as hard as a bowling ball. Is that something you would like in your pipes? Question answered.

3. Contact Lenses - While this item may not present an immediate hazard to your own plumbing, flushing contact lenses is just a not-good-at-all idea. With well over a million people wearing contact lenses every day, discarding just a fraction of that down the toilet further adds to the micro plastics going into our water.

4. Cosmetic and Baby Wipes - Maybe these weren’t anywhere close to first on your list, but wet wipes are actually one of the worst drain-clogging culprits. Responsible for roughly half of all blockages that then lead to the accumulation of fat, (aka ‘Fatbergs’), cosmetic wipes do not dissolve in water. As well, they are a very negative influence when it comes to sewage treatment. Pretty much the same rules apply to Baby wipes. Just because they’re gentle and soft enough for newborns, they are not any kind of a friend to your pipes and don’t decompose.

5. Medication – This is another no-no that may not take a toll on your drains and pipes, but is fundamentally wrong for the water supply. Water treatment plants can only extract a finite amount of toxins, so make it a simple but crucial rule: whatever kind of medication you want out of the house, simply seal it in a bag and drop it in the trash.

6. Hair - If you had been asked to guess at probable causes of clogged drains, this might have made your top two guesses…but it still happens. Hair is a double-negative on your plumbing, because it not only builds up into potentially giant balls to cause blockages, but can also trap unwanted odours. Shampooing means some hair is bound to go down the drain, but if you’re combing or brushing, try to do it away from the sink or toilet.

7. Dental Floss – We’ve already mentioned not trying to grow objects the size of bowling balls in your pipes. Dental floss consists of either nylon or Teflon, so combined with any of the other objects on our list, like wet wipes or paper towels, the floss almost becomes a sort of mesh to help form a mass that is only going to grow and become a blockage. Flossing will definitely save you money at the dentist, but disposing of the floss into the trash will save you just as much when it comes to a plumber.

8. Cigarette Butts – You may be tired of being told that cigarettes aren’t good for you. Well, it’s not a friend of your local water treatment plant, either. The cigarette filter on its own contains cellulose acetate, some paper and rayon, plus the expected carcinogens, nicotine and all the other numerous toxins.

9. Chewing Gum – We know, a lot of people resort to gum to get off the smoking habit. We’re just saying if you’re doing either or both find another place to dispose of them. Gum is cohesive, so it will stick to the insides of your pipes, blocking a steady flow. Just like your sixth-grade teacher said, Gum goes in the garbage.

10. Diapers – Anytime you start a sentence with “It Goes without Saying…’, apparently, it still required saying. Diapers are still being flushed, which is now even more problematic, since they consist of materials that expand when exposed to fluids.


Whether your plumbing problem is residential, commercial or industrial, A Rescue Rooter has more than four decades of experience to offer. Let the Professionals take care of it for you.

The Hidden Checklist Most Homeowners Miss When Hiring a Plumber in Hamilton

By Chelsey Smith • April 24, 2026
When a pipe bursts or a drain backs up, most people panic and call the first name they find online. But choosing the wrong plumber can cost you far more than the original problem. If you’re searching for reliable Hamilton plumbers , knowing what to look for can save you time, money, and serious stress. Here’s how to confidently choose a reputable plumber and make sure they’re properly licensed.

How to Use a Plunger Properly

By Chelsey Smith • April 2, 2026
When a drain backs up, panic often sets in—but before you reach for harsh chemicals or call it a lost cause, a simple plunger can often do the trick. Knowing how to use the right type of plunger—and how to use it correctly—can save you time, money, and stress. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to use both toilet and sink plungers effectively, and when it’s time to call in the professionals at A Rescue Rooter in Southern Ontario.

Spring Thaw: How to Protect Your Home's Pipes

February 27, 2026
As the snow melts and the first green shoots of spring appear, it feels natural to breathe a sigh of relief. The harsh winter is finally behind us, and warmer days are ahead. However, while you are ready to welcome the sunshine, your home’s plumbing system might be facing its most difficult challenge of the year.  The transition from freezing winter temperatures to the damp warmth of spring creates specific environmental changes that can stress your pipes. Understanding what happens beneath the ground during the "spring thaw" is the first step in protecting your home from unexpected leaks and water damage. By staying vigilant and knowing what to look for, you can ensure your plumbing transitions into the new season as smoothly as you do. How the Spring Thaw Affects Your Plumbing It is easy to assume that the danger to your pipes passes once the sub-zero temperatures vanish. In reality, the thawing process can be just as damaging as the freezing process. When the ground freezes, it expands. As it thaws, the soil contracts and shifts. This movement can put immense pressure on your home's water and sewer lines buried underground. If the earth shifts too dramatically, it can cause pipes to crack, bend, or even detach completely. Additionally, the spring thaw brings water—lots of it. Melting snow saturates the soil, raising the water table. This excess water puts hydrostatic pressure on your foundation and pipes, potentially leading to basement flooding if your drainage systems aren't working perfectly. Common Signs of Pipe Damage Because much of your plumbing is hidden behind walls or buried underground, you might not notice an issue until it becomes a significant problem. Keep a close eye on your property this season for these tell-tale signs of distress: 1. Soggy patches in the yard If it hasn't rained recently, but you notice distinct wet, spongy, or unusually green patches of grass in your yard, this could indicate a leak in your underground water line. The escaping water rises to the surface, creating a localized swamp. 2. Low water pressure A sudden drop in water pressure throughout the house is often a symptom of a breach in the main line. If the water isn't reaching your faucets with the usual force, it may be escaping somewhere else along the route. 3. Unpleasant odors If your sewer line has been compromised by shifting soil or infiltrating tree roots (which become active in spring), you may smell sewage inside your home or out in the yard. This is an urgent issue that requires immediate attention. 4. Unexpectedly high water bills Sometimes the signs are financial rather than physical. If your water usage hasn't changed but your bill has spiked, water is likely leaking from a pipe somewhere on your property. Preventive Measures for Homeowners While you cannot control the weather or the shifting soil, there are several steps you can take to minimize the risk of damage during the spring thaw. Test your sump pump: This is your first line of defense against meltwater. Pour a bucket of water into the sump pit to ensure the pump activates and drains the water effectively. If it doesn't, you need to repair or replace it before the heavy spring rains arrive. Clear your gutters and downspouts: Ensure that melting snow and spring rain can flow freely away from your home’s foundation. Clogged gutters can cause water to pool around the base of your house, increasing pressure on basement pipes and the foundation. Check outdoor faucets: Once the threat of frost is truly gone, turn on your outdoor spigots to check for flow. If you place your thumb over the opening and can stop the flow of water, the pressure is too low, indicating a potential leak inside the pipe. When to Call the Professionals Plumbing issues can be stressful, and it is often difficult to know if a problem is a simple DIY fix or a professional emergency. We understand that your home is your sanctuary, and dealing with water damage is disruptive and upsetting. If you notice persistent low pressure, damp spots on your drywall, or standing water in your yard, it is time to call for help. Attempting to dig up underground pipes or fix complex sewer lines on your own can often lead to further damage and higher costs. At Rescue Rooter, we have the specialized equipment to inspect underground lines without destroying your yard. Our team can identify cracks caused by the spring thaw and provide efficient, lasting solutions. We are here to help restore your peace of mind so you can get back to enjoying the warmer weather. Enjoying a Worry-Free Spring Spring should be a time of renewal and enjoyment, not a time spent worrying about wet basements or broken pipes. By keeping an eye out for the signs of shifting soil and testing your drainage systems early, you can catch small issues before they become major headaches. And remember, if the thaw does bring unexpected plumbing challenges, you don't have to face them alone—Rescue Rooter is just a phone call away.
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