Beware the Hair and What Else You Flush!

The humble bathroom drain rarely gets the respect it deserves. While hair is a well-known nemesis for shower and sink pipes, it’s far from the only item that can trigger a costly clog. Homeowners often overlook items flushed down the toilet that aren’t meant to be there, and small choices add up to big problems downstream.

Experts say the most common culprits aren’t just hair. Wet wipes, facial wipes labeled as flushable, cotton swabs, dental floss, sanitary products, and even leftover hygiene products can cling to pipe walls and combine with hair to form stubborn blockages. Over time, these blockages reduce water flow, increase sewer gas risk, and can lead to expensive piping repairs.