Plumbin Question

[ACG]

Not knowing where to turn.

Do you flush tampons down your toilet at home?

I do not have a septic tank.

I have had a regular problem and I'm sitting her waiting for plumber. One toilet always gets backed up, it is the toilet closest to the clean out.

75% of the time, hubby can figure it out, it happens so often I'm stumped.

Looking for lots of opinions.

Thanks and Happy Holidays

[Wasp]

Couple cheap fixes come to mind. Have you checked that the roof vents are working properly? And....You could also remove the toilet and check the pipe directly under the toilet is clear. Just remember to replace the wax seal with a new one when you reset the toilet. If those are not causing the problem, try snaking the line.
Is this a single house or a condo? If it's a condo/apt the issue could be further down the pipe.

[malkin]

When I've lived places with sketchy plumbing, I've tossed them in the trash.

[lph]

Maybe plumbing is different here, but here it's an absolute no-no, and considered the best way to clog up a pipe.

The Oslo Water and Sewerage Works actually has a Christmas campaign now, because people tend to flush more food grease and the like down the toilet around Christmas. They've put bright pink covers on some of the manholes, with this on it: "don't feed the rats - only poop, pee and toilet paper in here!"

[OakLeaf]

That old Zappa song comes to mind ...

[ACG]

Update and to answer questions:

I live in a single family home. The toilet is only 4 years old. The house was outfitted with new plumbing in 2004. But yes, we still may replace the toilet.

The plumber shows up, I've known him for 30 years.

He brings in the super duper snake, the kind it takes 2 people to carry.

The sewer was clogged with tampons.

Plumber says, there is a bend in the pipes, from all the toilets to the main line, that is where the clog was. The one toilet is the last stopping point before the bend. He says if/when that toilet starts to bubble, we should snake the line. (we have a snake it is just only about 15 feet)

I show plumber box of tampons, it says on directions, that once you are done with tampon, "remove and flush, or wrap properly and dispose of". The tampons belong to my daughter. He says doesn't matter, the tampons will break down, but not always as fast and as well.

I write a letter to the maker of the tampons, even their website says you can flush. I wasn't very happy with them, it wasn't a pleasant letter.

An hour later, I get a phone call from the maker. They are very sorry, they are going to reimburse my plumbing bill, they e-mailed me all the information to send them the copy of the bill. They are sending me UPS Tags, to send back box of tampons. My daughter doesn't like the idea of not flushing, but she knows not to now.

I am surprised that I got a call so fast! But wow. I hope my plumbing issues are done. Thanks for all your advise.

[Veronica]

That's really cool that they are going to pay the bill.

Veronica

[OakLeaf]

Word of warning, if you have a dog: be sure the used items are disposed of where they cannot reach. DAMHIK

[Blueberry]

That's really cool that the manufacturer took responsibility for the issue and is paying the bill! Wish more companies were like that.

No issues in my house since I started using the Diva Cup (but that is several other threads on here - in case you want to know more).

[malkin]

Word of warning, if you have a dog: be sure the used items are disposed of where they cannot reach. DAMHIK

Oh, YUCK!

[Irulan]

wow, great customer service!

[GLC1968]

Word of warning, if you have a dog: be sure the used items are disposed of where they cannot reach. DAMHIK

Yup. Trash cans with tight fitting lids are essential!

I don't flush tampons...ever, but I certainly did when I was younger as no one ever told me otherwise. I'm amazed that the company is going to reimburse you but I think that's awesome of them to do so!

We had a back up at our farm house (septic system) a few years back and when the guy found a tampon in the line (yes, just one!) I was shocked. Then I remembered that we'd had a young girl milking our goats while we were out of town and apparently she had to use the bathroom at one point. It amazes me that just one could back up the whole system! I think that today's super sized, ultra absorbent products are likely worse than they were when I was a teen. Back then, tampons caused toxic shock but at least they didn't clog plumbing!

[OakLeaf]

Back then, tampons caused toxic shock but at least they didn't clog plumbing!

LOL ... I never knew not to flush them until about 10 years ago either, but "Flakes" is off Sheik Yerbouti, which was released in 1979 ...

[Helene2013]

Hubby would not allow me to flush them. He's paranoid about those and don't blame him. hihi

But I solved the issue of tampons about 3-4 years ago and wear a Diva Cup now (note that my periods are almost stopped with premenopause). I used to be disgusted when most of my friends were talking about this. And one day I decided to give the Diva Cup a try. It almost makes me like having periods (ok...not that much) but makes the "ordeal" much easier to tolerate. And cheaper in the long run too. I save time (no need to change as often as a tampon/napkins), no leaks, no pain extracting, no risk of infection (or very minimal) and the plumber won't find any of those in my toilet. I should have use a diva cup a lonnnnng time ago. And they make them in 2 sizes (younger people/never had babies) and older woman/those who gave birth.

[emily_in_nc]

Oh god, this thread reminded me of the time one of the toilets stopped up at my grandparents' house in Florida. Plumber was called, and with a snake, he pulled out tampons (can't remember if it was just one or more). Of course I was the only woman of menstruating age in the house, so it was my fault. Can you spell embarrassed and ashamed, especially that my 90 year old grandfather was right in there with the plumber finding out what the problem was!?!

I had never had a problem flushing them anywhere else but didn't do it there from then on. I must confess that I continued flushing them elsewhere unless traveling in an area where it was disallowed, or on the sailboat we used to own.

Fortunately, I'm not having periods anymore so don't have to deal with this dilemma. Very few places have conveniently placed trash cans with lids when you need one!