How To Avoid Water Damage In The Bathroom
Water damage in your bathroom is either from an over flow or a clogged or a broken line within the piping. The term flushable does not mean it is safe for toilet. “Flushable” only means that it will pass down through the opening of the toilet. The clogs that are harmful occur further down the drain. These clogs go unnoticed until it is too late or do not allow your toilet to completely drain out. Homeowners need to be aware of what items are safe to flush and what is not.
List of Items to NOT Flush Down the Toilet
Baby Wipes
They may not be harmful to humans but, they do not break down after the wipe comes in contact with water. That means they will build up in your pipes and cause a massive clog within your system.
Feminine Products
Feminine products are designed to expand and hold moisture once a fluid is added. This causes a problem once it comes in contact with the water in your toilet. The water is soaked into the feminine product and expands within your piping. The expansion causes a blockage down the drain pipe.
Diapers
Diapers are made out of materials that expand when they come in contact with any type of fluid. The more fluid added, the more the diaper will expand. Diapers become very dense once a fluid is added making it hard to even go through the main opening in the toilet.
Dental Floss
Dental floss will unravel once flushed down the toilet and make a net or several strand will wrap together making a net. The net catches different materials being flushed down the toilet creating a blockage in the bathroom. The dental floss may get stuck inside the septic tank and wrap around the motor causing it to burn out.
Kitty Litter
Kitty Litter is not a flushable product. Some brands claim it is safe to flush down the toilet but, several toilets do not use enough water to move the kitty litter through the pipes properly.
Fish
Everyone seems to flush their pet fish down the toilet after it passes away. Fish do not break down in water and can cause a clog further down the pipe because they do not fit. This causes a serious clog later on if the fish is large enough.
Paper Towels
Paper towels are not made the same way as toilet paper. Toilet paper is designed to be flushed away and disintegrate within your drain. Paper towels are made to soak up large amounts of fluids. They do not breakdown as easy as toilet paper does.
Water Damage from Toilet Back Up
When a toilet is clogged and begins to overflow the homeowner must act fast. Water damage and mold are the main factors that occur when water begins to spread. There are specific steps taken during the mitigation process to ensure the room or area is completely dry. Water damage can be categorized into three different categories:
Category 1:
Clean water or water that is not harmful to humans
Category 2:
Gray water or water that may cause sickness due to the contaminates it was exposed to.
Category 3:
Black water or water that is unsanitary and contains bacteria that will cause sickness.
All three of these different categories vary in the severity of the how damaging the overflow will be. A toilet overflow will be categorized either as sewage backup or overflow. The water in your home will be broken down into 4 different classifications:
Class 1
Class 1 water damage is the least harmful to humans. The water damage mitigation job is the easiest out of all the other classes.
Class 2
This classification has a fast evaporation rate, which will affect carpets and cushion in the room. The moisture will be found in structural materials.
Class 3
Class 3 water damage has the fastest evaporation rate. This type of damage will affect the entire room and materials found within the walls like insulation.
Class 4
This classification requires special water restoration and removal procedures. This type of damage is found in materials like plaster, the water has had enough time to sit and soak into the materials.
Thompson Building Associates is certified with the IICRC S500 for both water and mold mitigation projects. We are available 24/7 365 days a year to assist you with any water damage at (614) 863-9650. If you have any questions about your plumbing or what you should do if your toilet gets clogged, contact
Blessed Plumbing at (614) 204-5156!
