Hellobee Boards

@winniebee: why would there be a disposal if you're not supposed to use it?
also 10 tampons/few wipes won't break pipes
ridiculous

@winniebee: The entire time I have been talking about wipes. Anyhow, at least you can feel okay about your position if you feel you would treat your tenants similarly to how you hope your landlord will treat you in the handling of this.

Wow! I've always flushed tampons and flushable wipes!

I think your landlord is being ridiculous. Like pp's said, unless there was something really odd that was flushed, like a toy, then I think you should pay.

I think they found stuff that's not meant to be flushed. If I were the landlord, I would consider that having contributed to the problem, and I don't think it'd be out of line to ask you to chip in. I don't think you should have to pay for the entire repair though. Totally crummy situation.

I've always flushed tampons! You can't make me stop!

I have seen signs in the public bathrooms of old buildings that say to not flush feminine products of any kind, so I kind of knew that old pipes are not as tampon friendly. But we've never lived in an old house.

We also use flushable toddler wipes (that is what it says on the label) for LO now that she is potty trained. Before, I never flushed baby wipes, but just because they always went in the Diaper Genie. Not because I was afraid of clogging the pipes.

For what it's worth, we are currently landlords and if this happened, as much as I would hate it, I would not expect our renters to pay for it unless they flushed something totally non-toilet friendly like a toy. I figure if they are essentially using the house how I would, that counts as regular wear & tear.

But I really-really-really hope this doesn't happen to us!

This thread has been eye-opening for me; I am totally blown away that you aren't supposed to flush tampons! Obviously, if I see a sign in a public bathroom indicating otherwise, I heed the instructions as I assume they have older pipes. But in any case, it's a moot point for me since I switched to a menstrual cup last year, and I won't go back to tampons!

As for the situation at hand, I agree that the small quantity of non flushable items likely did not cause the back up and the renters should not be liable.

You flush tampons? My dad was with me when I first start menstruating and that was the one thing he was adamant about- don't flush feminine products down the toilet. I use Tampa Pearl and neither the applicator or tampon is flushable. I know there are some flushable wipes for grown ups like Cottonelle, but didn't know about the flushable wipes for baby.

Obviously, you couldn't have prevented the old pipes, but the tampons and wipes- yes. To me that doesn't fall on the landlord.

@Greentea: I agree with you, I thought it was common knowledge too. Now, I will have to make sure my SIL (our renter) knows not flush her feminine products because I'm not paying for that!

@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Our pipes are older, and the problem is that they're galvanized steel. Sediment builds up and makes them smaller over time (same idea as clogged arteries).

I see this a little differently. I don't think it's unreasonable for your landlord to expect you to contribute to the repair costs based on the plumbers' findings. If it had been a cracked pipe (from tree root invasion or something like that) I would not expect you to pay. But in this situation, because it involved tampons, wipes, and food matter (not all food should be put in the garbage disposal, and it's hard to say whether the food would have been an issue but for the wipes/tampons), I would have asked you to pay for part of the bill/portion of the labor. I would try to negotiate with the landlord if possible.

I don't know what's appropriate in this situation, but fwiw I have always flushed tampons unless there's a sign telling me not to! I thought everyone did.

@winniebee: no I don't think you should be responsible since you were never told NOT to do those things. And who is to say they weren't in the pipes BEFORE you moved in.

@travelgirl1: do you know for sure if your renters flushed their tampons though?

Um, I have flushed tampons (the actual cotton part, not the applicator) for my entire menstruating life. The only time I don't is when there is a sign specifically stating not to, like in older buildings.

This is ridiculous. What on earth is with all the disgust and disbelief that people flush their tampons? Tampons are labeled as flushable. If the landlord never specified that they shouldn't be putting things labeled as flushable in the toilet, the landlord should have said something. Clearly it's not common knowledge that everyone is told, and is in fact the opposite of the instructions on the product.

ETA: not saying everyone who doesn't flush sounds like this. But some of these posts are written as if those who flush are idiots or something.

@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I was always the renter so yes. We have never owned.

@wonderstruck: I'll speak for myself, but I've had guests ask for small bags to place their feminine products in when at my home because they didn't want to leave it my trash can and would dispose of it later at their own. The first time this happened my friend and I were in 9th grade. And the products I use specifically state do not flush. Which brand do you use that's flushable?

@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Look at the instructions here. Super popular brand and flushing is the first option listed as how to dispose of the tampon. Quote: 6. Removal: relax your muscles. Try getting into the position you used during insertion. Gently pull down on the strings. The tampon should slide out easily. Flush the used tampon or place in an appropriate waste container.

http://www.playtexplayon.com/tampon-faq

How do they even know it's your tampons and wipes being flushed?? If you've been there a year haven't many others been there before you?

@winniebee: I actually already sent email to our agent. Luckily we have only had male renters so no issues. But definitely will address when we have new tenants in the Spring.