Can Tampons Block Drains in Cumbria?

Introduction

As a leading Blocked Drains Company in Cumbria, we at Drainage Cumbria receive numerous calls every day from frustrated residents who are dealing with blocked drains caused by various items, including tampons. Tampon flushing is a common problem in the region, and it has resulted in many drains getting blocked. If this issue is not addressed promptly, it can cause severe damage to your drainage system, and it can end up costing you a lot of money.

In this article, we will explore the impact of tampons on your drains in Cumbria and recommend the best ways to deal with any blockages caused by tampons. We will also provide you with the necessary information on how to dispose of tampons correctly.

Tampons and Drains

Tampons are one of the essential sanitary products that women use during their menstrual cycle. They are made of absorbent materials that are intended to absorb menstrual flow. As such, tampons come with some qualities, including softness, compactness, and high absorbency.

However, tampons' absorbent qualities also make them a potential hazard to your sewage system. When you flush a tampon, it absorbs water and swells, causing it to expand and block the pipes. While tampons can be flushed down the toilet and disappear from sight, they can cause significant damage to the drainage system, leading to significant expenses for you as the homeowner.

The Best Way to Get Tampons Out of Drains

If you're sure that a tampon has caused a blockage, the first step is to call experts like Drainage Cumbria to get your drains cleaned. We offer reliable and affordable services, ensuring that our clients' drains are cleaned effectively and efficiently.

Alternatively, you may want to try removing the tampon yourself. However, this option is not advisable unless you have some experience with such work. Tampons can be deep in the drainage system, making it hard to fish them out yourself. It's essential to get expert help to ensure that the tampon is thoroughly removed without causing more damage to your pipes.

How to Dispose of Used Tampons

The ideal way to dispose of used tampons is to avoid flushing them down the toilet. Tampons should be wrapped in a tissue paper and placed in the trash bin. When cleaning up after removing the tampon, the tissue should also be disposed of properly in the trash bin.

If there is no trash can in the bathroom, you can bring a small plastic bag with you to wrap the tampons and dispose of them later in a proper receptacle. Proper disposal of used tampons will prevent blockages, damage to your sewer line, and will help ensure the proper sanitation of your environment.

How Can Tampons Cause Drain Clogs?

Tampons can cause clogs in two ways:

1. Expand and cause blockages
2. Accumulate in the pipes and create solid blockages.

When you flush a tampon down the toilet, it goes down the drainage lines and into the sewer system. When it reaches a point in the pipe where there is a reduced flow of water, the tampon will start to absorb all the liquid stored in that location, swelling up in size and blocking the pipe.

Tampons are made to absorb, and once they come into contact with water, the process of absorbing starts. The tampon will start to expand and quickly block the pipe, causing the waste to back up into the house, leading to a foul smell and damaging the drainage system.

Modern Household Drainage Systems and Tampons

Modern homes have efficient drainage systems designed to handle different kinds of waste materials. However, tampons are not part of the substances that can be handled by these drainage systems. Tampons are made with qualities that make them absorbent, and when flushed down the toilet, they can cause significant damage to the pipes, causing them to clog or break.

The Option of Plunging or Snaking a Tampon

While some blockages caused by tampons may be solved by plunging or snaking, this is not always the case. A tampon may cause an insurmountable blockage that cannot be solved with these techniques. Because tampons are designed to be absorbent, they can cause significant damage once they start expanding in the pipes. To ensure that the blockage is completely cleared, you will need a professional team like Drainage Cumbria to clean the pipes thoroughly.

Damage Tampons Can Cause to Your Drainage System

Tampons can cause significant damage to your drainage system. When the tampon swells up and blocks the pipes, the water in the pipes will have to force its way through, causing more pressure to build up in the pipes. This added pressure can cause the pipes to burst, leading to water damage inside your home.

Over time, as more tampons block the pipes, clogs can result, leading to an accumulation of waste in the pipes. Accumulated tampons can expand and cause more blockages, leading to other drain and sewer-related problems. If left unchecked, the damage caused by tampons can be very expensive to fix, costing thousands of pounds.

What to Do If a Tampon is Flushed Down the Toilet

If you flush a tampon down the toilet by mistake, it's essential to act quickly to prevent any damage to your drainage system. The first step is to turn off the toilet water supply, which can be found behind the toilet.

Next, use a plumbing snake to attempt to retrieve the tampon. The snake should be inserted into the toilet drain until you feel some resistance. After identifying the blockage, gently pull the snake out, but do not force it. If you have some experience with plumbing and are confident that the tampon is near the top of the pipe, you can use a plunger to dislodge it.

Conclusion

Tampons are a modern sanitary product that many women use during their menstrual cycle. However, tampons are not suitable for flushing down the toilet. Flushed tampons can expand, causing blockages that can lead to significant damage to your drainage system. At Drainage Cumbria, we understand that blockages caused by tampons can be frustrating and expensive to deal with. We offer reliable and affordable cleaning services to help our clients get their drainage systems back in action.

If you experience blocked drains caused by tampons, do not hesitate to call Drainage Cumbria at 01228 734162 or email us at [email protected]. Let us take the headache out of your blocked drains and restore your peace of mind.