MEEKER | Despite a temporary toilet paper shortage due to panic buying over the coronavirus pandemic–which is not, as you might guess due to purchasing choices, a stomach bug, but a respiratory illness–Meeker Sanitation District would like to remind residents not to flush any strange objects down the toilet. Anything other than toilet paper, including facial tissue, paper towels, napkins, flushable wipes, sanitary products and diapers, can all clog and damage the sewer system.
There are a variety of other things you should also avoid washing down your drain, sink or toilet (including dollar bills and dentures, which have both been found in Meeker’s sewer system.)
If you feel you must get creative when it comes to wiping, the best recommended course of action is to purchase a bidet, if you can, or use a washable rag or sponge (be sure to clean and disinfect it, and wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds!)
To the right is a very complete list of items to keep out of the sewer system, provided by the Meeker Sanitation District and the Colorado Special Districts Property and Liability Pool.
What happens if you have a sewer backup regardless? Stay calm. Close up as many drains as possible in your home, and don’t run any water until you find the clog. Neighbors and your utility company may be able to help you ascertain if the issue is specific to you only, or part of a larger problem. A plumber can assist you with snaking your drain, if the clog is severe. A contractor may be required to clean and restore your home, depending on the damage caused.
The below infographic provides additional information about potential causes, what to do when it happens and how to avoid these often messy and expensive issues.
Homeowners, your insurance may offer coverage for sewer and drain backups. The policy add-on could be only a few dollars a year, according to the Colorado Special Districts Property and Liability Pool. Check with your insurance company for options.
THINK BEFORE YOU FLUSH!
Keep these items out of your pipes to avoid clogging and damage:
– Air fresheners
– Automobile fluids
– Automobile parts
– Bacon grease
– Bandages
– Batteries
– Bones
– Books
– Bread dough
– Building supplies
– Butter
– Cake frosting
– Candles
– Cement
– Cell phones
– Cheese
– Cigarettes
– Cigarette butts
– Cleaning supplies
– Clothing
– Coffee filters
– Coffee grounds
– Compact Discs
– Cosmetics
– Cotton balls
– Cotton swabs
– Condoms
– Cooking oil
– Diapers
– Deceased pets
– Dental appliances
– Dental floss
– Egg shells
– Eyeglasses
– Facial tissue
– Fat, oil or grease
– Fertilizer
– Fruit
– Food solids
– Glue
– Gravy
– Hair or fur
– Hair brushes
– Houseplants
– Insects
– Jewelry
– Keys
– Kitchen grease
– Lard
– Mayonnaise
– Meat drippings
– Medicine
– Metal Objects
– Money
– Oatmeal
– Paint
– Paper
– Paper towels
– Perfume
– Pesticides
– Plastic
– Poison
– Powders
– Putties
– Rags
– Rocks
– Rubber bands
– Salad dressing
– Sanitary pads
– Solvents
– Sour cream
– Sponge
– Styrofoam
– Syringes
– Tampons
– Teeth
– Toothbrushes
– Toys
– Vegetables
– Wet wipes
– Yard debris
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