Posted on 10/04/2013 11:41:55 PM PDT by nickcarraway
With each and every flush, some North Texans are doing something that could cost them and their respective cities a lot of money. We’re talking about those so-called “flushable” wipes.
At one time or another you’ve probably used a moistened wipe — maybe it was for your baby or to take off make-up. But as the wipes get more and more popular they’re wreaking havoc with plumbing systems.
North Texas mother Tiffany Sanchez admitted that she uses a lot of the wipes. “Every diaper change. If he [son] is sticky or dirty.”
Sanchez also said she uses the wipes religiously for herself. “Sometimes the toilet paper doesn’t do the job.”
Sanchez isn’t alone and the increased use of the wipes is causing problems. Ben Bravo, with Bravo’s Plumbing explained it in a unique way. “Think of it like paper towels on steroids!”
Despite what manufacturers claim, the wipes — even the ones that say flushable — do not dissolve. Plumbers say they can get tangled in pipes and completely clog them.
“It’s [the wipe] really strong and durable and when you flush it, it won’t dissolve 100-percent,”Bravo explained. “Over time all that knitting will accumulate in the sewer.”
The wipes are not biodegradable so they don’t break down in sewage systems. In east Fort Worth, the wipes that manage to get through end up at the wastewater treatment plant. The plant is where water is cleaned and recycled.
Speaking about the individual wipes Mary Gugliuzza, with the Fort Worth Water Department, said, “It can sometimes cause problems if it gets caught up in pumps, at lift stations, or here at the treatment plant.”
If the wipes make it to the plant the city then has to separate and discard them, sending big dumpsters to area landfills. The extra work costs city residents extra money.
“People could easily dispose of those things in their own trash instead of sending it to us and us paying for it,” Gugliuzza said.
While the clogs, tie-ups, and extra processing is costing the city and residents, the end result is the exact opposite for plumbers. “Money for me — gold,” Bravo said smiling.
City officials say the flushing of moist wipes does impact water bills, but the cost is not that significant.
For the city however — it does cost thousands of dollars to send the wipes to landfills.
” grease and fat and hair stuff clog smaller secondary lines, not main sewer lines.”
*Fatberg ahead! How London was saved from a 15-tonne ball of grease*
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/aug/06/fatberg-london-sewer-grease-blockage
Diaper wipes are not flushable, only the smaller, adult ones.
I wonder what effect they have on septic systems? This sounds like they could be real trouble and lead to the failure of the leach field.
Throw the wipes in the garbage. They can also be composted along with vegetable debris> For those with cesspools and septic tanks its an absolute no-no to throw wipes or grease down the toilet.
Since the wipes are marketed as flushble, how long until the lawsuits?
London had a massive “fatberg” in their sewer system for that very reason. It was about the size of a city bus.
Eeech.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/23586290
The French had the right idea with bidets...
Flushable wipes clogged the pipes buried outside my house and cost me $1500 in repairs. The piping was cast iron. The toilet was a newer low GPF model but it sent those things on their way no problem. So it has nothing to do with what kind of toilet you’re using. All the clogging accumulated at an elbow in the pipe. They’re not flushable at all. Since then we’ve stopped putting them down the toilet.
Exactly. It is obvious to a plumber and/or civil engineer.
“Low flow” toilets and urinals are as stupid as the idea of “man made global warming”.
This is bullcrap. The clogs are caused by all the low flow toilets. The line falls were all calculated with higher water volumes moving material and the new water saving stuff and low flush toilets greatly reduce it while sending in the same or more waste.
Sewers have always clogged, and the primary seed and growth factor for it is human hair and grease/fats.
The media is all of the sudden running with this probably because some dog excrement eating politician wants to sponsor some legislation on baby wipes and or similar items...
Good points. Yes I bet with you that there is some pol using this as a campaign issue for his pet project
Most wipes are small and have no problem going thru the system. Most are also designed to break down
Journalism. I don’t see any attempt made to get the flushible wipe manufacturers’ side of the story. From what I’ve read there is confusion between adult toilet flushible wipes vs. handi wipes and baby wipes which are not flushible. But why screw up a sensational expose?
Bingo, daughter of steamfitter.
My liberal BIL just bought his first house. It's a 50s ranch in original, but very good, condition. The bathroom is vintage. He's very proud of it.
After I complimented him on it, I said, "you know, if you ever decide to move, make sure you take your toilet with you."
"Why?"
"You have one of those old ones that flush. The new ones have to be flushed two or three times."
For some reason, he didn't look happy.
I get the impression that you aren't a plumber, clearing toilet stoppages, clearing sewer lines and replacing sewer lines.
If you have a low quality or non functioning toilet, then you need to buy a better one.
Especially that now it takes four flushes where one used to do the trick.
First, you always have to do a "Verifying Flush" before you even sit down, to make sure the toilet won't overflow from before.
Then it takes two or three flushes after you've done your business.
You can only buy low-flow now, AFAIK.
Modern toilets work fine, if yours doesn’t then you need to buy a better one.
Great, now we are up to claims that it takes "four flushes".
I just sold and installed a toilet yesterday, since I give a one year guarantee on parts and labor, then I would really be in trouble if the toilets I sold didn't work.
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