I say tampons should never ever be flushed. Am I correct?

Question

This question is for the Professional Plumber. The arguement in my house is that I say it is not good to flush tampons down the toilet because they will clog over a period of time and are not biodegradable. My sister says they are and won't cause problems. As a result of her flushing them in a year's time, I now have a problem and am having the main drain to the sewer line cleaned. Who is correct? Myself or my stubborn non listening sister? I would think that having the main line cleaned would convince her, but it doesn't?

Answer 1

All I know is this... We just moved in to our house about 3 months ago. After about 2 weeks the shower drain in the basement would back up when the washing machine would drain. I called in a plumber, he ran cable down the main line twice. Both times he pulled the cable out with over 10 tampons wrapped around the end of it. He told me he has seen 1 to two of them easily clogged 4 inch pipes. The expand so much when they absorb water that they can and will clogged pipes. In our case the previous owners of our house must have caused the issue by flushing them because my wife does not. I started having a slow draining and backing up problem again, so just yesterday I went and rented a 100' sewer auger. Guess what was on the cable when I pulled it back out... Yes more tampons, at least 6 of them. I am thinking the plumber did not get them all the first time. So in my opinion, they SHOULD NOT BE FLUSHED. Some plumbing may 'handle' them better. Smaller houses with little plumbing and short main lines to the sewer or septic tank would probably suffer less. In my case we have a fairly large house with two bathrooms and two kitchens. Our main line is at least 100' to the sewer. Either way it is just best not to flush something that should not be.

Answer 2

I have been given it down the 1st time. lol. once I first all started, that's what i thought you probably did. My mom freaked even with the undeniable fact that, she become such as you at the instant are not heavy sufficient for that yet! at the start, is your era rather consistent (to not easy not too heavy)? if so then you definately are o.k. to positioned on them. Alway initiate out with familiar sized tampons... in the event that they harm then try putting some Vaseline (petroleum jelly) or perhaps ok.Y. around the top! lol. i are conscious of it sounds strange yet they want some style of lubrication so as that way that is not painful and that they are greater probable to waft in. Be calm and take a deep breath earlier insertion so your vaginal muscular tissues are comfortable. additionally, are you putting it in from a front or back attitude? I recommend doing it from the front (of your leg, not in the back of them) and style of circulate at a reasonable attitude. Titling it somewhat extremely than completely vertical. Do it jointly as status and function one foot on the lavatory lid. After it is going in and the textured end of the applicator (the place your hands are grasping it/ it generally has a textured ornament for grip) is on the outlet of your vagina, then you definately push the applicator set off up and then the tampon is pushed into your vagina. desire that this facilitates and if it would not, there is often pads. additionally, while you're nervous approximately how long to maintain it in, i might say 4-6 hours (reckoning on how heavy) is the main secure time.

Answer 3

Let her watch the plumber when he cleans the drain & see what he pulls out. Then tell her she can pay the plumber.

I work around apartments & let me tell you that it is where females live that most of the toilets get plugged up.

What makes some people think that others should pick up after them in a case like this.

Answer 4

Don't flush them. My friend had a plumber over to clear a clogged toilet- and was horribly embarrassed at what he had removed from the line.

Answer 5

Don't think they would necessarily plug the pipes, but if you have a septic tank, it could pose a problem. I was once told, besides the stuff that actually comes out of you, you shouldn't put anything in the toilet that you wouldn't put in your mouth! I think that makes the picture a whole lot clearer.

Answer 6

637

Answer 7

I have been remodeling houses for the past 6 years. I always do all of the work myself and a lot of the work I do is on plumbing. I have never seen a single line clogged from tampons. Tampons are a paper product and are fully biodegradable. I have never worried about flushing my tampons.
On a side note, toilet lines are typically 4 inches wide. You would have to have a partially stopped up line already before a tampon would ever be able to get stuck.

Answer 8

You are correct and I am a girl. That is stupid. They are not safe or they would say so, read the box. She's just being lazy. Let her clean the pipes or pay the plumber next time. That's a nono

Answer 9

HUH!? my two daughters and myself have been flushing them for years without ANY problems. We have only 1 toilet in this apartment, and the girls also have lots of guests over, so there have probably been THOUSANDS flushed here.

My friend lives in a rural area and have a septic tank system. She is the only female in the house and her toilet is always clogged, but it's cuz the guys use too much paper.

Another friend lives in the city but has poplar trees growing near her sewer main and the tree roots have worked their way in, and cause clogs all the time.

I think you need to take into account the "rest of the picture".

Answer 10

Right you are! My daughter did the same thing your sister did. We paid the plumber a hefty price and warned our daughter that she would foot the next plumbing charge! Changed her thoughts on flushing them, fast!