Ask the Builder Thank you for putting word out. Here in the UK, there has been very little on msm concerning wipes and quilted tissue. We once had a cafe/restaurant. The landlords upstairs tenant had a baby and somehow flushed disposable nappies. No idea how she got them to go around the bends. Maybe she physically pushed them as far as she could. We couldn't close the business and wait for the landlord to come, see and send a plumber so ended up paying three times for the pipe to be unblocked. I think quite a few people really do need it shown to them as you have done here.
@@amandam5845 No I can't. I took down the test apparatus so I could get in and out of the garage with my car and truck. There's NO NEED to test others. Didn't you have the same reaction after watching the video I did? The *flushable* wipes do NOT break down in your sewer line. Why would you ever consider flushing any of them? Just follow my advice at the end of the video. BUY whatever flushable wipe you want, use them on your bum, and put them in some type of garbage container that isn't disgusting so you see the soiled wipes.
I've been a Public Health Inspector for over 30 years. When "flushable" wipes came out, I was teaching septic installer courses, so I put wipes in a mason jar with water and shook them. I still have them, more than 20 years later, they are still intact. They do not break down. Same thing with "flushable" cat litter.
Alex, some now do break down as evidenced in this video. The point of my video was to show what state they're in just before entering a septic tank or a city sewer line. The Internet is littered with stories supporting your stance showing how many sturdy wipes cause massive clogs in sewers and serious issues at sewage treatment plants. As I said, I'm good with people using them, but dispose of them in a can just as you'd do with a soiled paper infant diaper.
When they say flushable on the label, then that means they're flushable In the case of breaking down, I think all of the sludge goes SOMEWHERE to be processed in order to force disintegration You know all of that sludge MUST go SOMEWHERE after leaving your plumbing system And going through however much plumbing it goes through until it arrives at a certain destination
@@askthebuilder The thing that showed me you have more credibility on this issue than others is that you were willing to differentiate between different brands of wipes, rather than lumping them all into the same category as being equally bad. I soaked several different kinds in water for days. Two brands weren’t even remotely affected. Cottonelle, on the other hand, can easily be shredded right out of the container. Even Cottonelle shouldn’t be overused. Anyone using more than one per flush is pushing it.
When my husband became ill, he started using these wipes. We bought them because they said flushable and safe for septic systems. They were neither. Two years later when there was a problem, they came to pump out the septic and found hundreds of these wipes that had not broken down clogging up the system. These should be taken off the market, and the manufacturers sued for misleading marketing.
So I worked at Nice Pak the manufacturer of several big brand "flushable wipes." (Costco, Walmart).... And we had huge signs on all the bathroom stalls "DO NOT USE FLUSHABLE WIPES".... Lol, that told me all I needed to know. And you only did one wipe. Most people use several in one flush.
this is the problem with wipes. ppl are using them as replacements to tp. I personally use them to "clean the unseen" if you will. but people who use them like that are giving them a bad name. frankly we just throw them in a dedicated garbage can to avoid plumbing issues, especially important if you like using them while camping in a trailer.
@@Dexter_Solid They give themselfes a bad name. It's such an awful product you don't need dedicated people to say it. They are baby wipes with a bad/wrong name. As you mentioned they are to be used when normal toilet is not an option and are incompatible with pipes.
I love how the guy built a whole toilet and plumbing system in his back yard for this demonstration. I wonder what the neighbors thought watching him do this
It probably took him a day, maybe three max, to make this whole setup. But it will take many tens thousands of dollars to rip up concrete and rebuild the system in your house. 😆 (Granted there are pipe snakes if things get bad, and those USUALLY work. 😆 If they're not drilling holes into the sides of your pipes when they get stuck.) Diaper trash can in the bathroom is a cheap $10 investment!
I would argue that the test could be slightly improved. Each 'test paper' should have been allowed to sit in the water for 1 minute before being flushed to simulate reality.
A friend’s habit of flushing napkins and paper towels brought me here. A recent issue they had has prompted me to study flushable wipes and see how worth it they are to flush down the toilet.
By flushable, they must mean that it will clear the bowl, but clearly just clearing the bowl doesn't mean it will clear the pipes. It should be illegal to call them flushable.
You can flush gravel, marbles, and thousands of other things. The labels should have a warning like cigarettes: WARNING: FLUSHING THESE DOWN YOUR TOILET MAY RESULT IN CLOGS THAT CAN COST YOU THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.
@ikiruyamamoto1050 Repeated clogs if the plumber doesn't bother to explain that the wipes are the source of your clogs. Or you might get several different clogs that need to be dealt with, or the clog is a lot more difficult to clear out. I'd imagine the several thousand is the upper end if the problem is severe enough that you have to rip out the old pipes and replace everything Oh. I should probably also mention that sometimes a simple clogged drain can end up with other problems too. Apparently some UA-camrs had a clogged sink that backed up the water drainage for some other pipes, which then lead to their air conditioner's catch pan for condensation and whatnot to become unable to drain and fill up considerably... and that lead to some pretty severe leaking in their ceiling with water pouring down like rain when the pan finally failed
@@ikiruyamamoto1050 If you can run a plumbing business charging less, feel free. You could not pay me enough to root around in someone's shit because they fell for this dumb marketing gimmick.
As a wastewater treatment plant employee, I couldn’t be happier to see this message shared as far and wide as possible. Thank you Mr. Carter. Our industry has been fighting these things since they came on the market. When we try to develop guidelines or have “flushable” removed, American manufacturers fight tooth and nail or argue we’re infringing their freedom of speech. It’s a nightmare. Only truly disintegrating wipes come from overseas.
You're welcome, Chris. You can HELP share it. Contact your trade association. Perhaps there's a Sewer System trade magazine. Reach out to the editor and tell her/him about the video. Editors are ALWAYS looking for ideas and leads about new content. Call up your local TV news stations and make the consumer reporter aware of this video. Write a letter to the editor of your local paper and reference the title of the video. You speak from a position of AUTHORITY as a wastewater treatment plant employee and the news outlets will listen to you.
@@ChristineSolazzo Certainly not in the UK, as "The Drain Unblockers" of Mersey Rod in Northwest United Kingdom battle with wipes so ginormous sometimes they look like kitchen towels. They have a UA-cam Channel, check out their views on wipes... hint:: they don't belong in toilets. The reason I'm so fuss-buckety about this topic is how it cost time & effort in my own home. Elders appreciate wipes, and use them like toilet paper... so, I've seen and lived the damage. It's just not worth it, as my $3500 septic tank bill will prove. Finally got my Mom on board when the entire drain field in the lawn had to be dug up.
Thanks for bringing awareness of this problem. I was interested in flushable wipes because there was a compressed towel version I was interested in at Amazon. So I bought it and did a simpler version of your test. I just filled a jar with water and then decompressed the towel and put it in the jar. I waited a few hours - it didn't decompose. I waited a day - nope, not yet. I checked it EVERY DAY for TEN DAYS and it didn't decompose AT ALL! I mean, I even shook it to see if that would help! NOPE! And it was said to be FLUSHABLE! So I just gave on the idea that I can flush this in the event that I'd come across a public bathroom that ran out of toilet paper. I'll just use it, put it in a bag and throw it away in the trash bin. Thanks again for this very helpful video!
just cuz u put it in water dont mean its gonna break up lmao what makes it break up is the pump it has to pass through that grinds up the sewage and plus the miles of flowing water pipes it has to go through
I did the same test with the Cottonelle wipes today, and waited 5 minutes until I went back to the jar. Interestingly, it started breaking up even before I picked the jar up. I shook the jar, and the wipe fell apart inside it pretty easily. I've never tested any other wipe like this, however.
@@lonewolf333 given this isn't a new problem and as old as the advent of flushable wipes. The first wet-wipe products marketed as baby wipes was Kimberly-Clark who makes Cottonelle they may very well improved their product's disintegrative abilities, their product could of once been one of the culprits infact I bet they were. Consumer Reports had called the lack of disintergration of flusable wipes as far back as 2013.
In Fredericton NB this spring they had an odor problem at their sewage lagoon, after removing a larger than usual amount of grease from the lagoon they pulled the pumps and removed 2 tons of flushable wipes from the pump intakes. Just because you can flush something doesn’t mean you should.
Know the difference between a professional and an expert. The Responsible Flushing Alliance are professionals. They do what's "good enough for standards." This guy right here is an *expert*. He does what's practical and realistic.
The responsible flushing alliance are neither experts nor professionals. They are professional gaslighters who trick a gullible public in order to drive sales. Sadly, many people see a fancy name and simply take that organizations word as gospel. Many people see the word 'flushable' on the packaging and assume it is safe to flush. Now consider what happens when one of these naïve people ends up on a jury. "Oh well the expert said that science says that he is guilty. Guess we better send him away for 20 or 30 years. You believe in science, don't you?'
Anyone who takes the time to set up a toilet atop of a baker scaffold to make a point deserves my attention and respect. I didn't know until NOW that flushable wipes were such an issue. Guess I've been too busy installing electric vehicle chargers to notice.
Thanks. This was a two-day project. I spent many hours both pre and post-production to share the truth with you. I could have flushed so much more, but I think the point is clear. Go here to get even more information: www.askthebuilder.com/flushable-wipes-clog-sewer/ and www.askthebuilder.com/responsible-flushing-alliance-letter-to-askthebuilder-com/
A Baker scaffold is one that has locking adjustable height. They're usually sold yellow and have a single plywood platform. That's just a standard scaffold. This has been your tidbit from the man on the spectrum.
As a 9th grader at Harwood Girls School in albuq, we had a gen science teacher who took us on a field trip to the then brand new modern wastewater treatment center...for us girls, it was an eye-opener as they literally walked us from stage to stage of the processing of "waste" sewage water and its treatment back then. thank you Mrs York....about 25 yr later my daughter had her for a science class at AHS.
@BAM...Im happy you took your young ladies to the treatment plant. Hopefully they learned & will heed the advice of what to NEVER flush down the toilet. Mom's should explain this to their daughters but this trip was proof for those girls. Thank you. 🙏❤😊
Tim, I remember this video from years ago. I’ve shared it with many people since then. Thanks again for taking your own time and money, plus your master plumbing expertise to prove a point. I’m not an attorney, but you definitely proved beyond a reasonable doubt, that these flushable wipes should not be flushed down the toilet without knowing there are risks involved.
TNX, Art! It was a two-day effort. I was incensed by the retraction email from the PR guy. When I read it, I thought, "Well, you're messing with the wrong guy."
You are the kind of man I aspire to be, truly. I was raised by my grandpa who was a nam vet and was that type of old rough and tough bastard who was soft spoken with not many words, but he would show you with his actions that he was the man. Could fix up just about anything. Well spoken and informative, and can do things physically yourself to show people and teach others. They don't make many like you anymore. I applaud you sir and hope for nothing more than good health and spirits for you in the future. God bless you sir
It was exactly what the Maximum Performance test labs said to make. I thought the same thing as I kept weighing more soybean paste, "Wow, this is enormous!"
@@askthebuilder Australia this year got hit hard with Flushable wipes (not flushable in very small print). Causing huge issues for the poor people who had to fix this 3-4 times a week. Now i live in a small state called Tasmania (Australia). our local guys was working on the small pumping station only about 10 doors up. They spent a good few days pumping this crap out of the system. In the end our waste treatment put Adds on Tv asking people not to use them.
You are great!! I'm a 71 year old DIY plumber.( I only do basic stuff now) I never did major construction. I found this fascinating! I also have a septic system which I have pumped once a year!
If you ever get stuck and need help, I offer DIY Phone Coaching. You might be able to tackle slightly harder jobs with my protection. shop.askthebuilder.com/15-minute-phone-or-video-conversation-with-tim/
About 20 years ago, my mother had a clog at her house. On a septic tank! I had to have a company come out and pump the tank. The findings: Hundreds and hundreds of unbroken down wipes were still stuck to everything in there, and eventually clogged up the effluent pipe! I personally tested them myself, later on. By putting a wipe or two in a jar of plain water. I left it on the kitchen counter where I could see it. I'd agitate it about once a day just by tilting the jar. After a week, it was still not broken down. Imagine flushing these daily, you'll see how quickly they can add up!
You realize they've changed their design since 20 years ago? The Cottonelle one that broke down in this test has been made even more flimsy since the test date.
@@angebrowne1730 baby wipes have been around for ages, and thankfully so. Imagine giving your child a massive rash and having them walk around with remnants of their waste on their skin just because you're against the use of wipes.
Outstanding investigation and I don't know how this video doesn't already have millions of views. Bottom line, if you use wet wipes, flush at your own risk.
We have a grinder pump like most of the folks in our town. We had to have our grinder pump replaced at significant expense. The installer warned us to not to ever flush any wipe no matter what the packaging says. Our former maintenance manager at our former apartment building insisted that we not flush anything but toilet paper.
Pay attention to what I say at the end of the video. If you want unlimited tips like this each week, subscribe to my FREE newsletter at www.AsktheBuilder.com
Retired civil engineer here, thank you for this. The only thing that should go down the toilet is #1, #2, and TP. Respect your house’s plumbing, and your municipal infrastructure.
@@lovewenwin I still use a bit to dry with a bidet. Still, i do agree on using them to reduce the amount of paper and especially make wipes feel obsolete!
This is an incredible test setup. This guy is a legend for doing this. I always knew these “flushable” wipes were a scam. Now I have evidence to match my intuition. Right on.
@@evphex I mean, you probably shouldn't use them, but I wouldn't call them a "scam". I mean, they do what they say, you can wipe with them, and you can flush them.
TNX, Cristian! It would be nice to have that many subs. Perhaps you can help?!! Spread the word far and wide about Ask the Builder. You might want to subscribe to my FREE newsletter on the home page of www.AsktheBuilder.com. Today's newsletter was a keeper... BIG announcement coming in the next 14 days!
Denise, your husband is right. He's not the first nor the last to make the comparison. I'd LOVE to meet that actor in person to see how much we look alike now.
Nice demonstration, all the more relevant now with the COVID situation and people flushing disinfecting wipes (which are not even meant to break down). As a professional engineer who works in the municipal wastewater realm, I can attest that the problem doesn't stop at your home plumbing. Taxpayer dollars are regularly spent to unclog sewer lines, unclog sewer pumps, replace/upgrade sewer pumps, and screen these materials out at the treatment plant so they can go to the landfill where they belong. Feminine products are also another big culprit. Best rule of thumb: if it's not toilet paper or something your body produced it should go in the trash, not the toilet.
@@askthebuilder , no shade to you, but a 1.6% fatality rate means an *extra* 5,312,000 US deaths that are.. unnecessary [US pop currently ~ 332,000,000 people]; a significant number to add to all the usual fatalities [significant to me, anyway]. Not looking for an argument; just sayin'..
@@raynaudier8622Plus, among survivors, a lot got long term effects, more than most common infectious diseases. The risk of dying or getting injured by Covid, is also added to the risk of dying or getting injured by the flu, so it is a good thing we have vaccines. Unfortunately, I happened to get lifelong problems with asthma, after a mycoplasma infection that would have killed me, before we had broad spectered antibiotics. (Which I was given too late) As I have lived in a anthroposophic (Waldorf) foster home, I happen to know that not only are the anthroposophes sceptical to vaccines, even against poliomyelitis, they are even sceptical to antibiotics. To sum up, yes most common diseases are survived by probably 99% however including long term effects maybe 90%. From there it is simple math, as most people are getting infected many times, so you would need to multiply your risk like 0.99x0.99x0.99 for survival or a little lower, for not having long term effects, getting to the total risk of dying or getting long term effects of some common disease that everyone vegs multiple time during their life. This is just demonstrating a statistical principle, as some illnesses like the flu is more dangerous to old people, while polio may hurt even young people. With covid - old people are most at risk for dying, however younger people are at risk for long covid, especially with repeated infections. Among all this - I prefer the "Live long and prosper"-option, taking my vaccines and being vigilant about taking medicines, as soon as it it clear that the body cannot fight the infection without some help.
As a journeyman plumber working towards his master license, I love this. I’ve been warning people against almost as long as I’ve been plumbing (6 years so far). Especially if you have a sanitary sump for your waste. These wipes will get stuck in the impeller and ruin your pumps. Also 70%+ of drain cleanings I’ve performed have had some form of wipes on the end of the snake. Use a sealed garbage bin or bidet instead
Robert, GL on advancing to the Master level. I did that in 1989. Plumbing is a very interesting and challenging trade. I wish you the best and a long career!
As Tim suggests, use extra water when flushing "flushable" wipes to ensure they reach their destination. Many toilets only empty the tank partially (1.6 gal?) when flushing. If you hold the handle down while flushing, this empties all the contents of the tank. TIm also mentions that the wall smoothness of your pipes may not be optimal so a standard flush may not always work. His simulation of a bowel movement didn't include the toilet paper. So consider the extra volume when flushing.
My home was built in 1957 and get a sewer clog every year or two. There's always roots causing problems. I'm using 3/4 Inch auto feed drum style Sewer Auger. Not sure what a permanent but I'm sure it's expensive.
I am a home inspector and have a sewer camera. I see these wipes fully intact in sewers all the time. They stick to the old rough cast iron sewer pipe like Velcro. I would never use these.
Interesting video. I really like how the Cottonelle wipe really starts to break down. I feel like it would be ripped apart when other things are added in there with it to. Also, sooo many people seem to think baby wipes and flushable wipes are the same thing. They aren't, and the fda put heavy fines and stricter guidelines on wipe manufacturers some years ago for causing extensive damage to city systems. Everything now has to meet certain requirements for city sewage use. That does not include septic systems though. They do design wipes that are septic safe and breakdown very easily. Parents have used wipes on their septic now for 13ish years now without any issues caused from them. Just do your research before throwing any wipe down the pipe!
I say we gather them up and strike them with wet noodles! If you want FREE unlimited tips like this each week, subscribe to my newsletter at www.AsktheBuilder.com
I know it’s been a year lol, but what type of wipe have the parents been using with no problem? Everytime I look it up it’s always Cottonell or a couple other brands and it’s the same but I’m hearing a lot of mixed reviews on them but Cottonell seems to be the best?
Such an informative video that everyone should watch. Sewer backups are disastrous. We had a neighbor’s sewer line backup and flood their entire first floor. The entire first floor floorboards were ruined. They attempted to clean and dry the floorboards instead of replacement. They later got very sick from the mold and contamination , with rashes, migraines and headaches. Be sensitive with your sewer lines. Never dispose fat or large amounts of food. Skim fat and toss it into the trash or burn it in your bbq / garden waste burn. Never flush wipes. Install a bidet, which will reduce your toilet paper waste by 75%
I don’t even use toilet paper anymore. I bought one of those water sprayers that attaches to the toilet. It costed $70, but the amount I’ve saved in not buying toilet paper anymore.
@@askthebuilder you have a good point. But the fact that a person can spend $70 and never have to buy toilet paper again is too powerful for me not to mention.
I work at a wastewater plant. There are no flushable wipes, NONE, ZERO. They do not degrade and cause all sorts of problems for waste treatment, and much much worse problems if you have a septic tank.
I mean, it is obvious when you think about it. The wipes sit in a box with water for months without disintegrating. The water in the toilet is not some special different kind of thing. I wouldn’t fully rule out the possibility of such a thing being possible with some funky chemistry. (eg if you had to add something to the water before flushing, or if the wet wipes were wet with a different solvent than water). I have never heard of such a thing though, and one is really definitely better off getting a bidet at that point.
Thanks for such an enlightening video. Im glad i wasnt the guy trying to muscle that toilet up 2 stories. Years ago a friend of my mother flushed a tampon & i had to go in the crawlspace & disconnect the whole drainage system to find the blockage. Boy, was i pissed. The silver lining was that i replaced the pipe with PVC when i put it all back together. Only those who ve done the work can ever understand whats all involved. Thanks again. 🙏❤😊
Thank you for this experiment. It really showed me what happens to a flushable wipe and toilet paper. Is it possible to go further and test the other popular brands of flushable wipes and toilet paper? For example, the Equate brands from Walmart, the feminine flushable wipes, and etc.
The testing apparatus was disassembled many months ago. I'm wondering if you glossed over what I said at the end of the video. Please watch the ending of the video where I tell you exactly WHAT you should put into a toilet.
I retired from the wastewater treatment industry about six years ago. These things were a total nightmare when they came out. We narrowed the source down to a few costumers and were able to get the problem pretty much under control. I sure hope something has been done by the manufacturers to either change the labeling or the product. Way too many of the brands should absolutely not be flushed. I feel sorry for anyone with a septic system that has used them.
I know from personal experience they can't be flushed. Totally messed up my pipes heading to the septic. I had a huge clog that I had to snake out and it was all "flushable" wipes. I still use wipes but I throw them away in one of those smell securing diaper pails. I will never flush them again. - Heidi
Very informative video thank you. I've bought flushable wipes on a number of occasions but never threw even one of them in the toilet out of fear of causing a blockage.
Sadly I'm finding this video too late. I saw Dude wipes on crazy clearance at Kroger and decided to give them a shot, now 2 days later my shower is full of (expletive deleted) and I just got a crazy good workout with a plunger. It eventually went down, but the dude wipes are going in the trash.
That’s what we should be worried about if we have a habit of flushing things that we shouldn’t flush down the drain. If Cottonelle made flushable wipes that break down in the pipes, then they should be fine to use.
I tried using flushable wipes since last October. Except, I found out the hard way last January, flushable wipes aren't flushable like it says on the package. In fact, it clogged my waste pipe and caused a plumbing nightmare. Wastewater backing up into my tub when I used my plunger. I just didn't realize what problems it was causing. Even other videos show what can happen using those products. Now I know what not to do.
You're wrong. They ARE flushable. So are Army men and gravel. Watch again the ending of the video about WHAT I SAY. For unlimited free tips each week subscribe to my FREE newsletter at www.AsktheBuilder.com
There's only one thing that I wish you had simulated that you didn't... An average bm does not just have the bm in the toilet. It is also the tp, and it's generally going to be more double the six squares. Followed by one, two, or even 3 wipes. All getting flushed together, which can be dramatically different from the individual situations I saw here. I think if someone saw a simulation of *that* with 2 ply (and there's 3 ply out now) and a wipe or two, it would make a bigger impact. That said, it's amazing the length you went to in order to do a genuine simulation of these different items, and I thank you for your time and effort! You really went above and beyond. 💜
We already know what happens to the TP paper. I showed you two types. You're missing, I feel, the entire purpose of this video. But what do I know? I ate lunch for 20+ years sitting on top of overturned empty drywall mud buckets...
@@askthebuilder I am absolutely NOT missing the purpose, at all. I have been scolding a friend of mine for flushing wipes. And I was hoping for a visual for her, of the fact that when she uses multiple pieces of tp, followed by 2-3 wipes, that there would be at least a small struggle for it all to get down, and then the wipe still wouldn't break down. I did send her this video, but I also sent her a few from other places, so she could see the ginormous wads being pulled out of the sewer systems, and hear the damage they cause. Like I said, when I watched yours, I was just hoping for that shocking visual that would change her ways. It's still very informative.
Thanks man, thumbs up. I always put my wipes in separate bag but I thought that the wipes would be fine. Also I was unaware that those companies make the claim that they are suppose to dissolve. One thing, I think everything you said was good advise but the only toilets I know of that could possibly take some of that is those powerful toilets in NYC that don't run on septic systems. When you flush it, it sounds like a sonic boom went off. You know what I mean? Its like comparing a Bugatti or Ferrari to a Honda Civic or Toyota Camry.
I did a little salute when the army men went in. It's an inconvenient truth. I am a long time user of flushable wipes, and (sorry if it's a bit TMI) I have somewhat messy bowel movements. The ability to get clean after a movement was absolutely life-changing for me, and that is not hyperbole. I am going to begin the transition to disposing of them in something other than the toilet.
Someone let this man design a waterslide please. This guy is probably the only person who has lost weight during COVID, that is a long distance and elevation to walk up and down.
Christine, you missed the entire point of the video... And you should read the comments here from wastewater plant managers that will tell you many of these products are causing huge issues in sewer trunk lines as well as sewer plants.
I just wanna commend you for putting so much effort into this video! building the whole contraption and such. You've certainly enlightened me to not flush any kind of wipes!
It was a tremendous amount of work. But I had to do it once the PR person reached out demanding a retraction in my national column. Don't you find it interesting that the PR person or ANYONE from ANY of the wipes manufacturers has NOT commented here saying the setup is inferior or that the testing method is flawed? That tells you everything I show in the video is CORRECT. They KNOW their products are causing problems for homeowners/sewer-plant managers but they only care about PROFIT.
You are flushing in new pipes that are all smooth inside but older pipes or ones with irregularities in the joins or already partially blocked with catch the wipes and stop them from flushing out. These quickly bond together like papier maché and form a semi rigid block.
@@askthebuilder Hi, thanks for that, no I had to leave in the middle !! Great experiment though, such dedication. I personally will not have them in the house ( wipes ) and even recently when people complained about toilet paper shortages I replied that there was water and soap ! I have lived in a couple of hot countries and visited more where people do not use paper. In some northern european countries they put the soiled paper in a basket next to the toilet and when I lived in Brazil they said that the diameter of the waste pipes there didn't allow for paper.
Great job! I despise those so-called low-flush toilets. My 33-year-old throne uses 3 gallons per flush. Those low-flush embarrassments flush at least 3.2 gallons per use. (Yeah, I know, 1.6 gallons per flush. How many flushes per use?) And they don't keep enough water in the bowl.
That's great. Few let TP or wipes sit in a toilet all night and then flush. The point of the video is to show they've not disintegrated by the time they reach the sewer line or septic tank. If your building drain is obstructed, these will CLOG it. Read many of the other comments where people have paid LOTS of money to get clogs unstuck.
Truly enjoyed your video. Liked your thorough testing. Thank you for shareing your knowledge with viewers. Will share this with others because its a great example. Great job!
You're most welcome. This is the last *FREE* long-form video I'll ever do. UA-cam pays so little money it's not worth it to put in all the time. This video took over three days to do everything. All future ones are going to be paid content. I'm working on one now showing everything one needs to know how to install plumbing drain, waste, and vent pipes in a home. It's probably going to be a total of 2 hours cut into three videos.
Well put it in water and leave it for an hour and compare it to toilet paper that also has been soaking. And what brand did you get? This effects everyone who uses the same sewerage system as you, so it shouldn’t be a “I’m sure” it should be a “I know”
Just wow! This was super thorough!!!! I didn’t expect you throw army toys, LEGOS, etc in the testing! I will be disposing my wipes separately. Thank you.
I wish I would have done more in the video. I should have flushed these things down to show you what happens: Kleenex tissues, gravel, sand, glass marbles, cotton swabs, etc. Oh well, I think most people get the idea. Bottom Line: Just put body waste (solid/liquid) in the toilet bowl and maybe single-ply paper. Don't put ANYTHING else down a toilet!!!
There are already several videos and documentaires made on youtube about the problem. If they mixed it with grease in sewers, they will turn in solid mass, almost impossible to break. Every time pipes must cleaned again with handtools and that is a lot work and very dirty. Manufacturers SHOULD not named them "Flushable" and must make it just normal wipes and after use THROW in the bin like normal trash. Manufacturers are biggest morons on the earth for sure. The another problem (wipes are actually plastic stuff because they don't break) are a lot microplastics in cosmetical stuff. They're all bad for our earth and we will eat them too from fish.
Hey Mr. Tim. I have 15 years of service work under my knees, haha. I guessed every test correctly. Funny, most every customer denies flushing the wipes. I always wonder why people think lying to the plumber will benefit them? I have snaked out shirts, underwear, lots of wet wipes, feminine products and the #2 stuff, your last test....people who take lots or.medications will plug a toilet, even a Kohler. Once I was perplexed badly, could not clear a toilet....upstairs apartment, hot summer afternoon, disgusting messy drug addicts and several unfortunate children occupied this one bathroom unit, took the toilet outside, beat it with a sledgehammer and found a large tablespoon stuck in the goose neck of the toilet.
One weekend had to pull the kids throne to clear a persistent clog. I was grumbling at my kids for carelessly blocking it again as I cleared the goose neck and was then embarrassed to find the work pen I had lost the previous week rather than some LEGOs.
I live in Virginia and know only two other people who have bidets (both because I recommended it, lol). Bidets are amazing! I'm sure the reduced toilet paper usage has helped my septic system.
Did a tour of the wastewater treatment plant for Cub Scouts. The solids strainer had mostly flushable wipes and condoms in the screen. If the sewer system is newish, they shouldn't cause a problem. However, I can see how old systems will have a problem.
I retired from a large children hospital that had the 18 or 24" main drain clogged up with so called flushable wipes along with other items. They had to call in huge vacuum truck and a tanker truck to unclog the drain. After that they did thier homework by having vendors providing literature & samples. They switched to a flushable wipe that quickly feel apart. Used to use the Walmart brand of wipes until it clogged my drain pipe.
Yes flushable wipes are bad for any type of sewer system period, cigarette butts are WORSE they never break down. You need to show the products after 30 plus minutes sitting in water to break down plus the bacteria in systems also helps break them down as most end up like the single ply toilet paper. LOL you have to much free time :)
No, I don't. It was just imperative to make this video to put the Flushable Wipes Alliance to SHAME. Get unlimited tips each week in my FREE newsletter. Subscribe at www.AsktheBuilder.com
I replaced my sister's toilet that wasn't flushing properly. It had a Lego door stuck in the pipe that would swing sometimes. Sometimes open. Sometimes shut. Her kids are bigger now, so I don't think the Legos are going down in the commode anymore.
The problem is this test doesn't account for how long the flushable wipes would be in the sewer or waste water system before reaching a sewage treatment plant. Plus, as he said, most pipes do have some sort of debris or deposits that would further help break down the flushable wipes. How about a test where you test how long it would take the wipes to break down in clean water as well as contaminated water. I think that would be more accurate.
I'm pretty certain you *failed to LISTEN or comprehend* to what I said in the first 30 seconds. This test was to show what happens in the PIPING you're responsible to MAINTAIN, not the city sewage system pipes. Try to be more observant next time before you make yourself look foolish to the world.
This is very informative, wish this was taught in school. Im curious if laundry lint or dust gets flushed down the toilet or even down the sink. My mom has been sending it down the kitchen sink and toilet.
@@askthebuilderThank you Tim. Oh mannnnn. I better tell her this info. Last time my Dad and I had to snake the kitchen pipe was back in September and final touch of using a shop vacuum. Thanks Master Carter for the response. Maybe you can add laundry dryer lint to the list of sending it down the kitchen sink or toilet.
@@askthebuilder I... Did not know that. I have only flushed kleenex about five times in my entire life, when I'd realized too late that there was no tp and used kleenex. I usually use Puffs Plus for my nose, and that always goes in the trash. I keep a small can beside my recliner just for that. But now I can say I know for a fact that no one should flush them, and I will mention it to everyone often, now.
I use paper towels instead of tissues when I have a cold or runny nose since I know that if I leave them in a pocket they will go through the laundry cycle without disintegrating and covering the wash load in paper dandruff that is next to impossible to remove from clothes. If they survive a wash cycle there is no way that you would want to put them down the toilet.
I've used THOUSANDS of Cottonelle flushable wipes with ZERO problems (single family home connected to sewer system). I follow the instructions, and use several flushes (for multiple wipes). Heck they tear just pulling them out of the dispenser if you're not careful. They may not disintegrate as readily as TP, but they break down into smaller bits over time. I don't think the manfacturer says they break down as fully as TP, so I think your test is misleading. Here's a plumber who disagrees with you. ua-cam.com/video/dVijZZ2yAtc/v-deo.html
We are on a septic. We use 2-ply TP (single-ply just doesn't cut it), and I put Rid-X down once a month, and 1/2 C. of yeast twice a month. So far, so good. The septic is app. 30 years old.
I admire the lengths you went to for this experiment. Well done. What is the definition of flushable? Is there a time component that allows for the decomposition of the wipes? I have an aeration septic system and my wife occasionally flushes these things.
Only type what you'd want your mom to see. Lewd and crude comments won't see daylight here.
Ask the Builder Thank you for putting word out. Here in the UK, there has been very little on msm concerning wipes and quilted tissue.
We once had a cafe/restaurant. The landlords upstairs tenant had a baby and somehow flushed disposable nappies. No idea how she got them to go around the bends. Maybe she physically pushed them as far as she could. We couldn't close the business and wait for the landlord to come, see and send a plumber so ended up paying three times for the pipe to be unblocked.
I think quite a few people really do need it shown to them as you have done here.
Can you test more wipes to see if there is one that safe for flushing?
@@amandam5845 No I can't. I took down the test apparatus so I could get in and out of the garage with my car and truck. There's NO NEED to test others. Didn't you have the same reaction after watching the video I did? The *flushable* wipes do NOT break down in your sewer line. Why would you ever consider flushing any of them? Just follow my advice at the end of the video. BUY whatever flushable wipe you want, use them on your bum, and put them in some type of garbage container that isn't disgusting so you see the soiled wipes.
You forgot Equate Flushable wipes
I wish you had tested tissue paper: tissues that people wipe their noses with.
I've been a Public Health Inspector for over 30 years. When "flushable" wipes came out, I was teaching septic installer courses, so I put wipes in a mason jar with water and shook them. I still have them, more than 20 years later, they are still intact. They do not break down. Same thing with "flushable" cat litter.
Alex, some now do break down as evidenced in this video. The point of my video was to show what state they're in just before entering a septic tank or a city sewer line. The Internet is littered with stories supporting your stance showing how many sturdy wipes cause massive clogs in sewers and serious issues at sewage treatment plants. As I said, I'm good with people using them, but dispose of them in a can just as you'd do with a soiled paper infant diaper.
America Strong!
A previous landlord had in the contract that tenants sign that they will not use flushable wipes. He learned about this after a huge repair bill.
When they say flushable on the label, then that means they're flushable
In the case of breaking down, I think all of the sludge goes SOMEWHERE to be processed in order to force disintegration
You know all of that sludge MUST go SOMEWHERE after leaving your plumbing system And going through however much plumbing it goes through until it arrives at a certain destination
@@askthebuilder The thing that showed me you have more credibility on this issue than others is that you were willing to differentiate between different brands of wipes, rather than lumping them all into the same category as being equally bad.
I soaked several different kinds in water for days. Two brands weren’t even remotely affected. Cottonelle, on the other hand, can easily be shredded right out of the container.
Even Cottonelle shouldn’t be overused. Anyone using more than one per flush is pushing it.
When my husband became ill, he started using these wipes. We bought them because they said flushable and safe for septic systems. They were neither. Two years later when there was a problem, they came to pump out the septic and found hundreds of these wipes that had not broken down clogging up the system. These should be taken off the market, and the manufacturers sued for misleading marketing.
That sounds absolutely disgusting. 😞
This is another reason UA-cam shines. Letting folks like you shine and educate the rest of us about the world we live in! Well done guys
Thank you!
So I worked at Nice Pak the manufacturer of several big brand "flushable wipes." (Costco, Walmart).... And we had huge signs on all the bathroom stalls "DO NOT USE FLUSHABLE WIPES".... Lol, that told me all I needed to know.
And you only did one wipe. Most people use several in one flush.
this is the problem with wipes. ppl are using them as replacements to tp. I personally use them to "clean the unseen" if you will. but people who use them like that are giving them a bad name. frankly we just throw them in a dedicated garbage can to avoid plumbing issues, especially important if you like using them while camping in a trailer.
@@Dexter_Solid They give themselfes a bad name. It's such an awful product you don't need dedicated people to say it. They are baby wipes with a bad/wrong name. As you mentioned they are to be used when normal toilet is not an option and are incompatible with pipes.
I love how the guy built a whole toilet and plumbing system in his back yard for this demonstration. I wonder what the neighbors thought watching him do this
They thought I was nuts. I primed them two years earlier re-roofing my 12/12 pitch roof BY MYSELF.
It probably took him a day, maybe three max, to make this whole setup. But it will take many tens thousands of dollars to rip up concrete and rebuild the system in your house. 😆 (Granted there are pipe snakes if things get bad, and those USUALLY work. 😆 If they're not drilling holes into the sides of your pipes when they get stuck.)
Diaper trash can in the bathroom is a cheap $10 investment!
Excellent testing. Here's the difference between lab testing and a real plumber who has worked and does this for years. Great job Mr. Carter!
I would argue that the test could be slightly improved. Each 'test paper' should have been allowed to sit in the water for 1 minute before being flushed to simulate reality.
@@wuddadid do you let toilet paper just sit for a minute before you flush?
@ReigningWomban do you hold onto all ypur used paper before you flush, or do you flush after each wipe? Madman...
@@KittiesRCoolwhy does it take a minute to wipe your ass? Youre just playing with it at that point.
@@riddell26he has to be deep cleaning up to two knuckles if he's there an extra minutes
I'm actually watching a dude flushing paper towels over and over again.
Fun stuff. 😂
@eternal footman chill dude
@eternal footman dude? Are you kidding me ?
@eternal footman how is it rude
😆 🤣 that was funny 😄
Right, even more fun while on the john watching this 😳 I mean.. recliner... saved it!
I don't know how I ended up here...but it kept my intrest, so good job!
Maybe it's my mustache??? :-) If you want unlimited tips like this each week, subscribe to my FREE newsletter at www.AsktheBuilder.com
A friend’s habit of flushing napkins and paper towels brought me here. A recent issue they had has prompted me to study flushable wipes and see how worth it they are to flush down the toilet.
By flushable, they must mean that it will clear the bowl, but clearly just clearing the bowl doesn't mean it will clear the pipes. It should be illegal to call them flushable.
You can flush gravel, marbles, and thousands of other things. The labels should have a warning like cigarettes: WARNING: FLUSHING THESE DOWN YOUR TOILET MAY RESULT IN CLOGS THAT CAN COST YOU THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.
@@askthebuilder You charge "THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS" to clear a blocked pipe?!
@ikiruyamamoto1050 Repeated clogs if the plumber doesn't bother to explain that the wipes are the source of your clogs. Or you might get several different clogs that need to be dealt with, or the clog is a lot more difficult to clear out. I'd imagine the several thousand is the upper end if the problem is severe enough that you have to rip out the old pipes and replace everything
Oh. I should probably also mention that sometimes a simple clogged drain can end up with other problems too. Apparently some UA-camrs had a clogged sink that backed up the water drainage for some other pipes, which then lead to their air conditioner's catch pan for condensation and whatnot to become unable to drain and fill up considerably... and that lead to some pretty severe leaking in their ceiling with water pouring down like rain when the pan finally failed
@@ikiruyamamoto1050 Shits expensive.
@@ikiruyamamoto1050 If you can run a plumbing business charging less, feel free. You could not pay me enough to root around in someone's shit because they fell for this dumb marketing gimmick.
As a wastewater treatment plant employee, I couldn’t be happier to see this message shared as far and wide as possible. Thank you Mr. Carter. Our industry has been fighting these things since they came on the market. When we try to develop guidelines or have “flushable” removed, American manufacturers fight tooth and nail or argue we’re infringing their freedom of speech. It’s a nightmare. Only truly disintegrating wipes come from overseas.
You're welcome, Chris. You can HELP share it. Contact your trade association. Perhaps there's a Sewer System trade magazine. Reach out to the editor and tell her/him about the video. Editors are ALWAYS looking for ideas and leads about new content. Call up your local TV news stations and make the consumer reporter aware of this video. Write a letter to the editor of your local paper and reference the title of the video. You speak from a position of AUTHORITY as a wastewater treatment plant employee and the news outlets will listen to you.
Why can't we get truly disintegrating wipes like you say they have overseas, over here?
Another example of how the most important thing in the US is corporations' ability to make money unencumbered by regulations or oversight.
@Chris Desiderati what are they and where can we get them?
@@ChristineSolazzo Certainly not in the UK, as "The Drain Unblockers" of Mersey Rod in Northwest United Kingdom battle with wipes so ginormous sometimes they look like kitchen towels. They have a UA-cam Channel, check out their views on wipes... hint:: they don't belong in toilets.
The reason I'm so fuss-buckety about this topic is how it cost time & effort in my own home. Elders appreciate wipes, and use them like toilet paper... so, I've seen and lived the damage. It's just not worth it, as my $3500 septic tank bill will prove. Finally got my Mom on board when the entire drain field in the lawn had to be dug up.
Thanks for bringing awareness of this problem. I was interested in flushable wipes because there was a compressed towel version I was interested in at Amazon. So I bought it and did a simpler version of your test. I just filled a jar with water and then decompressed the towel and put it in the jar. I waited a few hours - it didn't decompose. I waited a day - nope, not yet. I checked it EVERY DAY for TEN DAYS and it didn't decompose AT ALL! I mean, I even shook it to see if that would help! NOPE! And it was said to be FLUSHABLE! So I just gave on the idea that I can flush this in the event that I'd come across a public bathroom that ran out of toilet paper. I'll just use it, put it in a bag and throw it away in the trash bin. Thanks again for this very helpful video!
just cuz u put it in water dont mean its gonna break up lmao what makes it break up is the pump it has to pass through that grinds up the sewage and plus the miles of flowing water pipes it has to go through
@@drsauce2574 Where's the 🤣😂🤣😅🤣😂 button???
Great idea Melody. 💡 Shaking it up was a recreation of all the pipes it might go thru.
I did the same test with the Cottonelle wipes today, and waited 5 minutes until I went back to the jar. Interestingly, it started breaking up even before I picked the jar up. I shook the jar, and the wipe fell apart inside it pretty easily. I've never tested any other wipe like this, however.
@@lonewolf333 given this isn't a new problem and as old as the advent of flushable wipes. The first wet-wipe products marketed as baby wipes was Kimberly-Clark who makes Cottonelle they may very well improved their product's disintegrative abilities, their product could of once been one of the culprits infact I bet they were. Consumer Reports had called the lack of disintergration of flusable wipes as far back as 2013.
Nice testing.
In the Navy on ships they only allowed 1 ply toilet paper... not fun but it kept things from backing up for the most part.
TNX for your service to our great nation. I did a tail hook one day. www.askthebuilder.com/aircraft-carrier-adventure-cruise/
In Fredericton NB this spring they had an odor problem at their sewage lagoon, after removing a larger than usual amount of grease from the lagoon they pulled the pumps and removed 2 tons of flushable wipes from the pump intakes. Just because you can flush something doesn’t mean you should.
Agreed. Also never get chlorine in your system. Never, none.
Know the difference between a professional and an expert. The Responsible Flushing Alliance are professionals. They do what's "good enough for standards." This guy right here is an *expert*. He does what's practical and realistic.
The responsible flushing alliance are neither experts nor professionals. They are professional gaslighters who trick a gullible public in order to drive sales. Sadly, many people see a fancy name and simply take that organizations word as gospel. Many people see the word 'flushable' on the packaging and assume it is safe to flush.
Now consider what happens when one of these naïve people ends up on a jury. "Oh well the expert said that science says that he is guilty. Guess we better send him away for 20 or 30 years. You believe in science, don't you?'
Anyone who takes the time to set up a toilet atop of a baker scaffold to make a point deserves my attention and respect. I didn't know until NOW that flushable wipes were such an issue. Guess I've been too busy installing electric vehicle chargers to notice.
Thanks. This was a two-day project. I spent many hours both pre and post-production to share the truth with you. I could have flushed so much more, but I think the point is clear. Go here to get even more information: www.askthebuilder.com/flushable-wipes-clog-sewer/ and www.askthebuilder.com/responsible-flushing-alliance-letter-to-askthebuilder-com/
A Baker scaffold is one that has locking adjustable height. They're usually sold yellow and have a single plywood platform. That's just a standard scaffold. This has been your tidbit from the man on the spectrum.
Thanks for all the hard work put into this video Tim. Great job!
As a 9th grader at Harwood Girls School in albuq, we had a gen science teacher who took us on a field trip to the then brand new modern wastewater treatment center...for us girls, it was an eye-opener as they literally walked us from stage to stage of the processing of "waste" sewage water and its treatment back then. thank you Mrs York....about 25 yr later my daughter had her for a science class at AHS.
@BAM...Im happy you took your young ladies to the treatment plant. Hopefully they learned & will heed the advice of what to NEVER flush down the toilet. Mom's should explain this to their daughters but this trip was proof for those girls. Thank you. 🙏❤😊
Tim, I remember this video from years ago. I’ve shared it with many people since then. Thanks again for taking your own time and money, plus your master plumbing expertise to prove a point. I’m not an attorney, but you definitely proved beyond a reasonable doubt, that these flushable wipes should not be flushed down the toilet without knowing there are risks involved.
TNX, Art! It was a two-day effort. I was incensed by the retraction email from the PR guy. When I read it, I thought, "Well, you're messing with the wrong guy."
Representative from the Responsible Flushing Council shows up at 6:28
😂
BWAHAHAHAH Forgot to tell my wife to keep it quiet as I walked up to the rolling camera. ;-)
You are the kind of man I aspire to be, truly. I was raised by my grandpa who was a nam vet and was that type of old rough and tough bastard who was soft spoken with not many words, but he would show you with his actions that he was the man. Could fix up just about anything. Well spoken and informative, and can do things physically yourself to show people and teach others. They don't make many like you anymore. I applaud you sir and hope for nothing more than good health and spirits for you in the future. God bless you sir
Bro that was a huge simulated dump
It was exactly what the Maximum Performance test labs said to make. I thought the same thing as I kept weighing more soybean paste, "Wow, this is enormous!"
@@askthebuilder Australia this year got hit hard with Flushable wipes (not flushable in very small print). Causing huge issues for the poor people who had to fix this 3-4 times a week. Now i live in a small state called Tasmania (Australia). our local guys was working on the small pumping station only about 10 doors up. They spent a good few days pumping this crap out of the system. In the end our waste treatment put Adds on Tv asking people not to use them.
You are great!! I'm a 71 year old DIY plumber.( I only do basic stuff now) I never did major construction. I found this fascinating! I also have a septic system which I have pumped once a year!
If you ever get stuck and need help, I offer DIY Phone Coaching. You might be able to tackle slightly harder jobs with my protection. shop.askthebuilder.com/15-minute-phone-or-video-conversation-with-tim/
About 20 years ago, my mother had a clog at her house. On a septic tank! I had to have a company come out and pump the tank. The findings: Hundreds and hundreds of unbroken down wipes were still stuck to everything in there, and eventually clogged up the effluent pipe! I personally tested them myself, later on. By putting a wipe or two in a jar of plain water. I left it on the kitchen counter where I could see it. I'd agitate it about once a day just by tilting the jar. After a week, it was still not broken down. Imagine flushing these daily, you'll see how quickly they can add up!
William Prah WHO on earth develops such things? And what sort of manufacturer owners sell them? Amazes me they can get away with it.
You realize they've changed their design since 20 years ago? The Cottonelle one that broke down in this test has been made even more flimsy since the test date.
Clogs happen. If you want unlimited tips like this each week, subscribe to my FREE newsletter at www.AsktheBuilder.com
There is bacteria in a septic tank to help break them down, that you won't have in your water jar for testing
@@angebrowne1730 baby wipes have been around for ages, and thankfully so. Imagine giving your child a massive rash and having them walk around with remnants of their waste on their skin just because you're against the use of wipes.
Outstanding investigation and I don't know how this video doesn't already have millions of views. Bottom line, if you use wet wipes, flush at your own risk.
I wonder too why it doesn't have more views. See if you can start to pass it around all your contacts and urge THEM to pass it along. Thanks.
We have a grinder pump like most of the folks in our town. We had to have our grinder pump replaced at significant expense. The installer warned us to not to ever flush any wipe no matter what the packaging says. Our former maintenance manager at our former apartment building insisted that we not flush anything but toilet paper.
I can watch this guy flush that toilet all day
Wastewater utility in our town frequently puts out requests for wipes to not be flushed....makes quite a problem at grinder stations
This guy knows his s**t.
A compliment is a compliment, right? :-O
@@askthebuilder You're damn right. I am impressed, sir!
Good video for the Contonelle wipes. I would feel fairly good on those every so often if needed. The others are a different story.
Just put one in a bucket of water, it’ll break down fast. The other brands, not at all.
Pay attention to what I say at the end of the video. If you want unlimited tips like this each week, subscribe to my FREE newsletter at www.AsktheBuilder.com
Retired civil engineer here, thank you for this. The only thing that should go down the toilet is #1, #2, and TP. Respect your house’s plumbing, and your municipal infrastructure.
With a bidet it could just be 1 and 2
What about vomit?
@@lovewenwinyou still need to dry your bum
@@lovewenwin I still use a bit to dry with a bidet. Still, i do agree on using them to reduce the amount of paper and especially make wipes feel obsolete!
This guy went above and beyond in his test!
Thank you. Two days of building and recording the video, two hours getting material, 5 hours post production editing the video. All for you.
@askthebuilder, not all heroes wear capes.
This is an incredible test setup. This guy is a legend for doing this. I always knew these “flushable” wipes were a scam. Now I have evidence to match my intuition. Right on.
@@evphex I mean, you probably shouldn't use them, but I wouldn't call them a "scam". I mean, they do what they say, you can wipe with them, and you can flush them.
You deserve a million views and a UA-cam Plaque! Great setup and demonstration.
TNX, Cristian! It would be nice to have that many subs. Perhaps you can help?!! Spread the word far and wide about Ask the Builder. You might want to subscribe to my FREE newsletter on the home page of www.AsktheBuilder.com. Today's newsletter was a keeper... BIG announcement coming in the next 14 days!
Great video. My husband said you look like "Ralphie" from Christmas Story. :)
Denise, your husband is right. He's not the first nor the last to make the comparison. I'd LOVE to meet that actor in person to see how much we look alike now.
Nice demonstration, all the more relevant now with the COVID situation and people flushing disinfecting wipes (which are not even meant to break down). As a professional engineer who works in the municipal wastewater realm, I can attest that the problem doesn't stop at your home plumbing. Taxpayer dollars are regularly spent to unclog sewer lines, unclog sewer pumps, replace/upgrade sewer pumps, and screen these materials out at the treatment plant so they can go to the landfill where they belong. Feminine products are also another big culprit. Best rule of thumb: if it's not toilet paper or something your body produced it should go in the trash, not the toilet.
I survived Covid. The survival rate is 98.4%. Why is everyone so worried about it? The common flu has a similar survival rate. I'm confused!!!
@@askthebuilder , no shade to you, but a 1.6% fatality rate means an *extra* 5,312,000 US deaths that are.. unnecessary [US pop currently ~ 332,000,000 people]; a significant number to add to all the usual fatalities [significant to me, anyway]. Not looking for an argument; just sayin'..
@@raynaudier8622Plus, among survivors, a lot got long term effects, more than most common infectious diseases. The risk of dying or getting injured by Covid, is also added to the risk of dying or getting injured by the flu, so it is a good thing we have vaccines. Unfortunately, I happened to get lifelong problems with asthma, after a mycoplasma infection that would have killed me, before we had broad spectered antibiotics. (Which I was given too late)
As I have lived in a anthroposophic (Waldorf) foster home, I happen to know that not only are the anthroposophes sceptical to vaccines, even against poliomyelitis, they are even sceptical to antibiotics. To sum up, yes most common diseases are survived by probably 99% however including long term effects maybe 90%. From there it is simple math, as most people are getting infected many times, so you would need to multiply your risk like 0.99x0.99x0.99 for survival or a little lower, for not having long term effects, getting to the total risk of dying or getting long term effects of some common disease that everyone vegs multiple time during their life.
This is just demonstrating a statistical principle, as some illnesses like the flu is more dangerous to old people, while polio may hurt even young people. With covid - old people are most at risk for dying, however younger people are at risk for long covid, especially with repeated infections.
Among all this - I prefer the "Live long and prosper"-option, taking my vaccines and being vigilant about taking medicines, as soon as it it clear that the body cannot fight the infection without some help.
As a journeyman plumber working towards his master license, I love this. I’ve been warning people against almost as long as I’ve been plumbing (6 years so far). Especially if you have a sanitary sump for your waste. These wipes will get stuck in the impeller and ruin your pumps. Also 70%+ of drain cleanings I’ve performed have had some form of wipes on the end of the snake. Use a sealed garbage bin or bidet instead
Robert, GL on advancing to the Master level. I did that in 1989. Plumbing is a very interesting and challenging trade. I wish you the best and a long career!
As Tim suggests, use extra water when flushing "flushable" wipes to ensure they reach their destination. Many toilets only empty the tank partially (1.6 gal?) when flushing. If you hold the handle down while flushing, this empties all the contents of the tank. TIm also mentions that the wall smoothness of your pipes may not be optimal so a standard flush may not always work. His simulation of a bowel movement didn't include the toilet paper. So consider the extra volume when flushing.
My home was built in 1957 and get a sewer clog every year or two. There's always roots causing problems. I'm using 3/4 Inch auto feed drum style Sewer Auger. Not sure what a permanent but I'm sure it's expensive.
You want to stop roots permanently? Read this: www.askthebuilder.com/sewer-lines-and-tree-roots/
Thanks so much for this video. i was thinking about switching to flushable wipes !
I am a home inspector and have a sewer camera. I see these wipes fully intact in sewers all the time. They stick to the old rough cast iron sewer pipe like Velcro. I would never use these.
Interesting video. I really like how the Cottonelle wipe really starts to break down. I feel like it would be ripped apart when other things are added in there with it to. Also, sooo many people seem to think baby wipes and flushable wipes are the same thing. They aren't, and the fda put heavy fines and stricter guidelines on wipe manufacturers some years ago for causing extensive damage to city systems. Everything now has to meet certain requirements for city sewage use. That does not include septic systems though. They do design wipes that are septic safe and breakdown very easily. Parents have used wipes on their septic now for 13ish years now without any issues caused from them. Just do your research before throwing any wipe down the pipe!
Yes! This is the problem!!! Baby wipes can’t and shouldn’t be flushed yet people do it anyway 🙄🤬
I say we gather them up and strike them with wet noodles! If you want FREE unlimited tips like this each week, subscribe to my newsletter at www.AsktheBuilder.com
I know it’s been a year lol, but what type of wipe have the parents been using with no problem? Everytime I look it up it’s always Cottonell or a couple other brands and it’s the same but I’m hearing a lot of mixed reviews on them but Cottonell seems to be the best?
Such an informative video that everyone should watch. Sewer backups are disastrous. We had a neighbor’s sewer line backup and flood their entire first floor. The entire first floor floorboards were ruined. They attempted to clean and dry the floorboards instead of replacement. They later got very sick from the mold and contamination , with rashes, migraines and headaches. Be sensitive with your sewer lines. Never dispose fat or large amounts of food. Skim fat and toss it into the trash or burn it in your bbq / garden waste burn. Never flush wipes. Install a bidet, which will reduce your toilet paper waste by 75%
I don’t even use toilet paper anymore.
I bought one of those water sprayers that attaches to the toilet. It costed $70, but the amount I’ve saved in not buying toilet paper anymore.
TMI - We don't need to know about your personal hygiene habits.
@@askthebuilder you have a good point. But the fact that a person can spend $70 and never have to buy toilet paper again is too powerful for me not to mention.
@@askthebuilderlol😂
I work at a wastewater plant. There are no flushable wipes, NONE, ZERO. They do not degrade and cause all sorts of problems for waste treatment, and much much worse problems if you have a septic tank.
I mean, it is obvious when you think about it. The wipes sit in a box with water for months without disintegrating. The water in the toilet is not some special different kind of thing.
I wouldn’t fully rule out the possibility of such a thing being possible with some funky chemistry. (eg if you had to add something to the water before flushing, or if the wet wipes were wet with a different solvent than water). I have never heard of such a thing though, and one is really definitely better off getting a bidet at that point.
Cottonelle brand disintegrate like TP, only brand I use
Sounds like a challenge
That is one hell of a test rig. Good stuff, I am a fan of wet wipes, got to be super clean for the ladies.
is it for the ladies thou?....hhhmmmmmm... I'm not judging
Yes, ladies want clean. But put them in a trash can like a baby's diaper.
Thanks for such an enlightening video. Im glad i wasnt the guy trying to muscle that toilet up 2 stories. Years ago a friend of my mother flushed a tampon & i had to go in the crawlspace & disconnect the whole drainage system to find the blockage. Boy, was i pissed. The silver lining was that i replaced the pipe with PVC when i put it all back together. Only those who ve done the work can ever understand whats all involved. Thanks again. 🙏❤😊
I've been a master plumber for four decades. I know exactly how pissed you were.
Thank you for this experiment. It really showed me what happens to a flushable wipe and toilet paper. Is it possible to go further and test the other popular brands of flushable wipes and toilet paper? For example, the Equate brands from Walmart, the feminine flushable wipes, and etc.
The testing apparatus was disassembled many months ago. I'm wondering if you glossed over what I said at the end of the video. Please watch the ending of the video where I tell you exactly WHAT you should put into a toilet.
I retired from the wastewater treatment industry about six years ago. These things were a total nightmare when they came out. We narrowed the source down to a few costumers and were able to get the problem pretty much under control. I sure hope something has been done by the manufacturers to either change the labeling or the product. Way too many of the brands should absolutely not be flushed. I feel sorry for anyone with a septic system that has used them.
I know from personal experience they can't be flushed. Totally messed up my pipes heading to the septic. I had a huge clog that I had to snake out and it was all "flushable" wipes. I still use wipes but I throw them away in one of those smell securing diaper pails. I will never flush them again. - Heidi
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Very informative video thank you.
I've bought flushable wipes on a number of occasions but never threw even one of them in the toilet out of fear of causing a blockage.
Day #12 in COVID 19 lockdown UA-cam video viewing... Time to start throwing these in the can and not down the throne.
Day 363 here
You better go watch this video: ise.media/video/plandemic-ii-indoctornation-23.html STOP BEING PLAYED.
Great video and finally a definitive answer to what happens when you flush your underwear down the toilet!
Sadly I'm finding this video too late. I saw Dude wipes on crazy clearance at Kroger and decided to give them a shot, now 2 days later my shower is full of (expletive deleted) and I just got a crazy good workout with a plunger. It eventually went down, but the dude wipes are going in the trash.
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I found something out about myself watching your videos: I found out I never get tired of watching you flush stuff down the toilet.
I wish I could have a re-do of this video. I would have flushed 20 other different things just to see what happens. Oh well!
My take away: So basically, you can flush just about anything down a toilet.
Pretty much that's true. Remember, old drain lines have rough inside surfaces and it's easy for clogs to build up.
That’s what we should be worried about if we have a habit of flushing things that we shouldn’t flush down the drain. If Cottonelle made flushable wipes that break down in the pipes, then they should be fine to use.
Now imagine cast iron pipes that have some roots growing in the joints or have rusted surfaces.
I've been using a bidet wand for a few years now and my tush has never been happier. Now i know how much better it is for my pipes, too!
~Trav
Bought ours in the great TP COVID shortage. Never again! 😆 Fixed it permanently.
I tried using flushable wipes since last October. Except, I found out the hard way last January, flushable wipes aren't flushable like it says on the package. In fact, it clogged my waste pipe and caused a plumbing nightmare. Wastewater backing up into my tub when I used my plunger. I just didn't realize what problems it was causing. Even other videos show what can happen using those products. Now I know what not to do.
You're wrong. They ARE flushable. So are Army men and gravel. Watch again the ending of the video about WHAT I SAY. For unlimited free tips each week subscribe to my FREE newsletter at www.AsktheBuilder.com
There's only one thing that I wish you had simulated that you didn't... An average bm does not just have the bm in the toilet. It is also the tp, and it's generally going to be more double the six squares. Followed by one, two, or even 3 wipes. All getting flushed together, which can be dramatically different from the individual situations I saw here. I think if someone saw a simulation of *that* with 2 ply (and there's 3 ply out now) and a wipe or two, it would make a bigger impact.
That said, it's amazing the length you went to in order to do a genuine simulation of these different items, and I thank you for your time and effort! You really went above and beyond. 💜
We already know what happens to the TP paper. I showed you two types. You're missing, I feel, the entire purpose of this video. But what do I know? I ate lunch for 20+ years sitting on top of overturned empty drywall mud buckets...
@@askthebuilder I am absolutely NOT missing the purpose, at all. I have been scolding a friend of mine for flushing wipes. And I was hoping for a visual for her, of the fact that when she uses multiple pieces of tp, followed by 2-3 wipes, that there would be at least a small struggle for it all to get down, and then the wipe still wouldn't break down. I did send her this video, but I also sent her a few from other places, so she could see the ginormous wads being pulled out of the sewer systems, and hear the damage they cause.
Like I said, when I watched yours, I was just hoping for that shocking visual that would change her ways. It's still very informative.
Thanks for this elaborate test.👌
To the plastic army men: Thank you for your service
A perfect comment two days before Veterans Day!
Thanks man, thumbs up. I always put my wipes in separate bag but I thought that the wipes would be fine. Also I was unaware that those companies make the claim that they are suppose to dissolve. One thing, I think everything you said was good advise but the only toilets I know of that could possibly take some of that is those powerful toilets in NYC that don't run on septic systems. When you flush it, it sounds like a sonic boom went off. You know what I mean? Its like comparing a Bugatti or Ferrari to a Honda Civic or Toyota Camry.
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I did a little salute when the army men went in.
It's an inconvenient truth. I am a long time user of flushable wipes, and (sorry if it's a bit TMI) I have somewhat messy bowel movements. The ability to get clean after a movement was absolutely life-changing for me, and that is not hyperbole. I am going to begin the transition to disposing of them in something other than the toilet.
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Flushable wipes basically turn into rope if they get into sewage pumps and bind them up, burning them out.
Someone let this man design a waterslide please. This guy is probably the only person who has lost weight during COVID, that is a long distance and elevation to walk up and down.
Wow ! What a fabulous experiment you made ! Thanks for sharing !
You have to give them time to disintegrate. Much better one on YT about using them in RVs and Scotts was the clear winner.
Christine, you missed the entire point of the video... And you should read the comments here from wastewater plant managers that will tell you many of these products are causing huge issues in sewer trunk lines as well as sewer plants.
I just wanna commend you for putting so much effort into this video! building the whole contraption and such. You've certainly enlightened me to not flush any kind of wipes!
It was a tremendous amount of work. But I had to do it once the PR person reached out demanding a retraction in my national column. Don't you find it interesting that the PR person or ANYONE from ANY of the wipes manufacturers has NOT commented here saying the setup is inferior or that the testing method is flawed? That tells you everything I show in the video is CORRECT. They KNOW their products are causing problems for homeowners/sewer-plant managers but they only care about PROFIT.
You are flushing in new pipes that are all smooth inside but older pipes or ones with irregularities in the joins or already partially blocked with catch the wipes and stop them from flushing out. These quickly bond together like papier maché and form a semi rigid block.
Yep. I alluded to that in the video. Did you miss that part?
@@askthebuilder Hi, thanks for that, no I had to leave in the middle !! Great experiment though, such dedication. I personally will not have them in the house ( wipes ) and even recently when people complained about toilet paper shortages I replied that there was water and soap ! I have lived in a couple of hot countries and visited more where people do not use paper. In some northern european countries they put the soiled paper in a basket next to the toilet and when I lived in Brazil they said that the diameter of the waste pipes there didn't allow for paper.
This was fascinating! Thanks for putting this together, sir.
Glad you enjoyed it! My job is to educate the masses with realistic testing.
Great job!
I despise those so-called low-flush toilets. My 33-year-old throne uses 3 gallons per flush. Those low-flush embarrassments flush at least 3.2 gallons per use. (Yeah, I know, 1.6 gallons per flush. How many flushes per use?)
And they don't keep enough water in the bowl.
Agreed!
Yes, they are HORRIBLE. If you want unlimited tips like this each week, subscribe to my FREE newsletter at www.AsktheBuilder.com
Thank you sir, need this video as proof for my family to not flush wipes down the toilet!
The cottonelle wipes actually disintegrate completely by themselves, leave it in the bowl overnight and look at it in the morning.
That's great. Few let TP or wipes sit in a toilet all night and then flush. The point of the video is to show they've not disintegrated by the time they reach the sewer line or septic tank. If your building drain is obstructed, these will CLOG it. Read many of the other comments where people have paid LOTS of money to get clogs unstuck.
Truly enjoyed your video. Liked your thorough testing. Thank you for shareing your knowledge with viewers. Will share this with others because its a great example. Great job!
You're most welcome. This is the last *FREE* long-form video I'll ever do. UA-cam pays so little money it's not worth it to put in all the time. This video took over three days to do everything. All future ones are going to be paid content. I'm working on one now showing everything one needs to know how to install plumbing drain, waste, and vent pipes in a home. It's probably going to be a total of 2 hours cut into three videos.
The flushable wipes i recently got pretty much fall apart in my hand. I’m sure they don’t take more than a couple hours to disintegrate
Well put it in water and leave it for an hour and compare it to toilet paper that also has been soaking. And what brand did you get? This effects everyone who uses the same sewerage system as you, so it shouldn’t be a “I’m sure” it should be a “I know”
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What effort! Such a cool test.
After he said lets start flushing i looked away and an ad with rock music started playing. I thought he was doing some hardcore flushing.
Hard heavy metal - like the pipe scaffolding. Get unlimited tips each week when you subscribe to my FREE newsletter at www.AsktheBuilder.com
Just wow! This was super thorough!!!! I didn’t expect you throw army toys, LEGOS, etc in the testing! I will be disposing my wipes separately. Thank you.
I wish I would have done more in the video. I should have flushed these things down to show you what happens: Kleenex tissues, gravel, sand, glass marbles, cotton swabs, etc. Oh well, I think most people get the idea. Bottom Line: Just put body waste (solid/liquid) in the toilet bowl and maybe single-ply paper. Don't put ANYTHING else down a toilet!!!
There are already several videos and documentaires made on youtube about the problem. If they mixed it with grease in sewers, they will turn in solid mass, almost impossible to break. Every time pipes must cleaned again with handtools and that is a lot work and very dirty.
Manufacturers SHOULD not named them "Flushable" and must make it just normal wipes and after use THROW in the bin like normal trash.
Manufacturers are biggest morons on the earth for sure. The another problem (wipes are actually plastic stuff because they don't break) are a lot microplastics in cosmetical stuff. They're all bad for our earth and we will eat them too from fish.
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Why was there more water in the toilet paper tests than the flushable wipes tests?
can't believe i'm here watching this with no hesitation after eating lmao.
🤣🤣🤣🤣while I’m eating fruit loops at 4:30am
thank you for taking the time to educate people mr!
Hey Mr. Tim. I have 15 years of service work under my knees, haha. I guessed every test correctly. Funny, most every customer denies flushing the wipes. I always wonder why people think lying to the plumber will benefit them? I have snaked out shirts, underwear, lots of wet wipes, feminine products and the #2 stuff, your last test....people who take lots or.medications will plug a toilet, even a Kohler. Once I was perplexed badly, could not clear a toilet....upstairs apartment, hot summer afternoon, disgusting messy drug addicts and several unfortunate children occupied this one bathroom unit, took the toilet outside, beat it with a sledgehammer and found a large tablespoon stuck in the goose neck of the toilet.
They lie because they're embarrassed.
One weekend had to pull the kids throne to clear a persistent clog. I was grumbling at my kids for carelessly blocking it again as I cleared the goose neck and was then embarrassed to find the work pen I had lost the previous week rather than some LEGOs.
It says on the side of the flushable wipes pouch: one wipe sheet per flush".
Average person: "But it still goes down even when I use a couple!"
I live in Virginia and know only two other people who have bidets (both because I recommended it, lol). Bidets are amazing! I'm sure the reduced toilet paper usage has helped my septic system.
Yes, they are. The Europeans have used them for years and did their best to keep it a secret.
How do you clean your butt overseas? I mean, I use bidet like twice a day, I could not simply live without that
Did a tour of the wastewater treatment plant for Cub Scouts. The solids strainer had mostly flushable wipes and condoms in the screen. If the sewer system is newish, they shouldn't cause a problem. However, I can see how old systems will have a problem.
Did anyone notice the fly get flushe down the toilet at 5:30 or am I trippy
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I retired from a large children hospital that had the 18 or 24" main drain clogged up with so called flushable wipes along with other items. They had to call in huge vacuum truck and a tanker truck to unclog the drain. After that they did thier homework by having vendors providing literature & samples. They switched to a flushable wipe that quickly feel apart. Used to use the Walmart brand of wipes until it clogged my drain pipe.
You must have calf muscles of a 20yr old climbing to that pooper so many times......
Awesome video, keep up the great work. (very useful experiment) thank you.
Yes flushable wipes are bad for any type of sewer system period, cigarette butts are WORSE they never break down. You need to show the products after 30 plus minutes sitting in water to break down plus the bacteria in systems also helps break them down as most end up like the single ply toilet paper. LOL you have to much free time :)
No, I don't. It was just imperative to make this video to put the Flushable Wipes Alliance to SHAME. Get unlimited tips each week in my FREE newsletter. Subscribe at www.AsktheBuilder.com
I replaced my sister's toilet that wasn't flushing properly. It had a Lego door stuck in the pipe that would swing sometimes. Sometimes open. Sometimes shut. Her kids are bigger now, so I don't think the Legos are going down in the commode anymore.
The problem is this test doesn't account for how long the flushable wipes would be in the sewer or waste water system before reaching a sewage treatment plant. Plus, as he said, most pipes do have some sort of debris or deposits that would further help break down the flushable wipes. How about a test where you test how long it would take the wipes to break down in clean water as well as contaminated water. I think that would be more accurate.
I'm pretty certain you *failed to LISTEN or comprehend* to what I said in the first 30 seconds. This test was to show what happens in the PIPING you're responsible to MAINTAIN, not the city sewage system pipes. Try to be more observant next time before you make yourself look foolish to the world.
This is very informative, wish this was taught in school.
Im curious if laundry lint or dust gets flushed down the toilet or even down the sink. My mom has been sending it down the kitchen sink and toilet.
Your mom is making a mistake. Lint are clothing fibers that do not break down in water.
@@askthebuilderThank you Tim. Oh mannnnn. I better tell her this info. Last time my Dad and I had to snake the kitchen pipe was back in September and final touch of using a shop vacuum. Thanks Master Carter for the response.
Maybe you can add laundry dryer lint to the list of sending it down the kitchen sink or toilet.
I was told by a plumber to never flush a Kleenex. That would flush similar to a paper towel.
Tissues will react much like the high-quality paper toilet paper. Throw tissues in the TRASH CAN.
@@askthebuilder I... Did not know that. I have only flushed kleenex about five times in my entire life, when I'd realized too late that there was no tp and used kleenex. I usually use Puffs Plus for my nose, and that always goes in the trash. I keep a small can beside my recliner just for that. But now I can say I know for a fact that no one should flush them, and I will mention it to everyone often, now.
I use paper towels instead of tissues when I have a cold or runny nose since I know that if I leave them in a pocket they will go through the laundry cycle without disintegrating and covering the wash load in paper dandruff that is next to impossible to remove from clothes. If they survive a wash cycle there is no way that you would want to put them down the toilet.
I've used THOUSANDS of Cottonelle flushable wipes with ZERO problems (single family home connected to sewer system). I follow the instructions, and use several flushes (for multiple wipes). Heck they tear just pulling them out of the dispenser if you're not careful. They may not disintegrate as readily as TP, but they break down into smaller bits over time. I don't think the manfacturer says they break down as fully as TP, so I think your test is misleading. Here's a plumber who disagrees with you. ua-cam.com/video/dVijZZ2yAtc/v-deo.html
We are on a septic. We use 2-ply TP (single-ply just doesn't cut it), and I put Rid-X down once a month, and 1/2 C. of yeast twice a month. So far, so good. The septic is app. 30 years old.
So just use wipes and then drop in the trash or dont use wipes anymore xD
Bingo - you understood what I was trying to show! Congrats!
I admire the lengths you went to for this experiment. Well done. What is the definition of flushable? Is there a time component that allows for the decomposition of the wipes? I have an aeration septic system and my wife occasionally flushes these things.
TNX. Your wife is making a GRAVE mistake. Have her watch the video.