What to Do if You Flush a Baby Wipe
A toilet clogged with baby wipes must be unclogged using a plunger to force the clog through the pipes or by using a toilet snake to reach the clog and pull it out. If these methods don't work, a professional plumber should be called to assist in the repairs. There are no chemicals that will dissolve baby wipes to remove the clog.
Why Can't You Flush Baby Wipes Down Your Toilet?
Baby wipes are not designed to be flushed down the toilet. Even wipes labeled as "flushable" are extremely prone to causing clogs and should never be flushed. The reason for this is that baby wipes are designed to be durable and resist breaking down when exposed to moisture and use. In contrast, toilet paper is designed to dissolve in water. Baby wipes simply won't dissolve, which means that if a few baby wipes snag in your sewer pipe, they can cause a horrendous clog.
Why are Baby Wipes Bad for Septic Systems?
If your house has a septic system, never flush baby wipes down the toilet. Baby wipes carried into a septic system contain chemicals that will kill the good bacteria in your septic tank. This halts the processes of the septic system, which can cause sewage to fill the tank and back up into your home. Additionally, baby wipes can easily cause clogs in the pipes that run to the septic system.
What Dissolves Baby Wipes in a Clogged Toilet?
There is no chemical solution that you can safely use that will dissolve baby wipes. Chemical septic tank treatments can help break down toilet paper clogs, but these treatments are ineffective at dissolving baby wipes. This is due to the durability of baby wipes. They have to be tough enough for use cleaning your baby, and thus are made of stronger material than toilet paper. For this reason, there is no chemical you can pour into your toilet that will clear a baby wipe clog.
Will Bleach Dissolve Baby Wipes?
Bleach will not dissolve baby wipes that have clogged your toilet. Baby wipes are engineered to hold up to exposure to different compounds, since they are medicated with ingredients to help you clean your baby. Pouring bleach into the toilet to try and break up a clog caused by baby wipes is ineffective.
3 Methods to Unclog a Toilet Clogged with Baby Wipes
A toilet clogged by baby wipes is a huge headache. Unlike toilet paper clogs, which sometimes resolve themselves, a clog caused by baby wipes won't dissolve. If left to its own devices, the clog will only get worse. However, you can clear the clog and get back on track. Here's how:
Plunger
An old-fashioned toilet plunger is your first line of defense when dealing with a baby wipe clog. A plunger works by forcing water down the pipe, which can blast apart clogs and allow your toilet to resume functioning as usual. To use a plunger to unclog your toilet:
- Position the plunger so that the rubberized end is pressed firmly against the outlet hole at the bottom of the toilet bowl, creating a complete seal.
- Grip the plunger handle with both hands.
- Plunge several times in quick succession.
- You may need to pivot the handle up or down to achieve an airtight seal between the plunger and toilet. When there is resistance and the plunger flexes but does not pull away from the toilet when you pull on the handle, you have achieved the correct seal.
- Once you have a good seal, attempt several more plunges.
- Remove the plunger.
If you have successfully broken up the clog, the water level in the toilet should drop once you remove the plunger and you will hear the sound of rushing water in the pipes. If so, the problem is solved. If this method doesn't work, move on to method 2.
Toilet Snake
A good toilet auger, also known as a toilet snake, is the strongest tool in your at-home arsenal for defeating baby wipe clogs. A toilet auger consists of a flexible wire coil with a head designed to snag obstructions in the toilet pipe so they can be pulled out. To use a toilet auger, follow these steps:
- Feed the wire coil of the auger into the outlet hole at the bottom of the toilet bowl.
- Continue feeding the auger in until you meet the obstruction. Keep in mind, the clog may be deep in the sewer pipes. To reach it you may have to change the angle of the snake to get it to feed through the internal curves of the toilet.
- Once you are past the toilet bends and reach the clog, turn the handle of the auger, spinning the entire coil. This will snag the baby wipes causing the clog.
- Pull the auger back out through the toilet bends. the baby wipes responsible for the clog should be snagged onto the end of the auger.
- Throw the baby wipes snagged by the auger into the trash. If the toilet is still clogged, repeat the previous steps.
- If you have successfully unclogged the toilet, the water level should drop and you will hear the gurgle of water flowing through the pipes.
Because baby wipes won't dissolve, an auger truly is the best home tool for resolving a baby wipe clog. You can snag the baby wipes and pull them out of the toilet pipes so they can be disposed of properly. This will prevent future clogs and damage to your septic system.
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Call a Professional Plumber
If plunging your toilet and attempting to clear the clog with an auger both fail, it's best to contact a professional plumber for repairs. Home remedies for clogged toilets, such as vinegar, baking soda, and hot water simply won't work when you're dealing with a clog caused by baby wipes. If you have a serious clog, it's time to call someone who's trained to resolve these issues.
How Do You Unblock a Toilet Clogged with Baby Wipes?
Baby wipes are extremely prone to causing toilet clogs. In the event your toilet is clogged after you attempted to flush baby wipes, the best solutions are:
- Use a plunger to attempt to clear the clog.
- Snag the clog and pull it out of your toilet pipes by using a toilet auger.
- Call a plumber to professionally resolve the clog.
Keep in mind, baby wipes of all kinds should never be flushed. Even so-called "flushable" wipes can cause terrible toilet clogs. When attempting to resolve a toilet clog caused by baby wipes, there are no chemicals or at-home solutions that can dissolve baby wipes that are clogging your pipes. Baby wipes are simply too durable for these methods to work, leaving you with manual options for fixing the clog.
What to Do if You Flush a Baby Wipe
Source: https://peppershomeandgarden.com/unclog-toilet-clogged-baby-wipes/
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