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@kick641: another CE I was thinking the exact same thing, really nothing's flushable and you'd be surprised what we see show up at a WWTP day to day

@kick641: that was amazing!

Also ...out of all the things to cause controversy on HB...never thought to flush or not to flush tampons would generate so much discussion. Also, we are going to get some weird ads from this.

@kick641: No I meant it that it was great to have your input!

this definitely has me rethinking what i toss in the toilet!!

I thought everyone flushed tampons. I grew up in a rural house with a septic tank, and all three females flushed tampons. It's so much grosser to put a used tampon in the trash than a pad, which can be more easily wrapped up. That being said, we own now, and this thread has freaked me out. I'm going to start putting them in the trash (but I still think it's disgusting).

My mom told me to never flush tampons, so I never have. I just wrap it up in toilet paper and toss it in the trash. I empty my bathroom trash daily when I'm on my period so that takes care of any potential smell.

I really thought the Cottonelle wipes that are marketed as flushable were safe to flush though!

Have you heard from your landlord? I don't really know what's fair in this situation.

@winniebee: although it would be interesting if this went to court ... I wonder if the reasonable (wo)man would flush tampons down

@Modern Daisy: Not common sense, actually called my Dad (a plumber with almost 40 year experience) and he said unless you aren't doing proper maintenance tampons shouldn't cause an issue.

@MamaG: He recommends any older homes (1990 or earlier) get their lines checked upon moving in, and at least once a year, especially if there are any prior issues or large trees on the property. We live in a new home, and he checks ours every 18M - 2 years. We does an extra check if we have had an issue (like my son flushing a wash cloth down the toilet LOL - that warranted an extra check ). He does a fibre-optic scope of all of his properties every 6 months but it is free for him to do.

@agold: in 9th grade I gavve her small brown bag that I used for my school lunches. As an adult I have given guests a plastic grocery bag b/c I have nothing smaller. @IRunForFun: yep, sure have. Sometimes I find little surprises in my trashcan, which is fine too.

@winniebee: I read somewhere that the poop emoji is actually chocolate soft serve...

@Foodnerd81: you can't use bleach in your washer? That's odd. And no fabric softner in your dryer? Though, I don't think you use it in your dryer... You use it in your washer. I use fabric sheets in my washer.

Here is something helpful then. I would offer to cover some of the cost, as you've been flushing things that aren't flushable. Sure the house is old, but to be on good terms with my landlord I would offer to cover some of the costs and tak ownership of my error.

I am not a landlord, but I doubt after a letter and no ownership of your part in the issue with the pipes will the landlord want to renew your lease. But, if this isn't an issue for you then keep doing what you're doing.

I feel like such a weirdo for reading through this entire thread! Lol.

I haven't finished reading everyone's responses, but this really is a grey area that I think costs/responsibility should be partially split. Wipes, and items that don't dissolve shouldn't be flushed for sure.

Coming from the viewpoint as a landord/rental owner, I'd be really upset if I had to pay all these costs and the tenant had been flushing wipes (though I know it's only occasionally). Every plumber and landlord I've ever spoken to has gone on and on about not putting a lot of things down the garbage disposal.

As a tenant, I remember using the garbage disposal for everything - even potato skins. It really is such a deceptive name for the stinkin thing. It's not really to throw all your garbage down the drain. Let's just say I broke/clogged a couple of garbage disposals in my time before I changed my ways. I know someone who got in trouble for always flushing hair, qtips, and regular paper towels down the toilet. Those things WILL clog drains. It's just a matter of time. I don't think they need to be spelled out a lease agreement, but since a first warning should suffice.

I'm sure HB landlords are lovely, but I've had loads of bad experiences with landlords. Coming in to apartments unannounced, refusing to fix things, fixing things without notice (as in, got back from Christmas vacation and one of the bathrooms in the apartment was gone because the plumber had fallen through the floor while repairing the toilet, so they gutted it. Without telling us.) In my experience, landlord generally don't want to pay for anything, unless it's a clear violation of code (and even then....). I think you're in a tough spot because landlord have an upper hand in a power dynamic. I would try to take the high road in it all, but be very clear you want to know how much it is going to cost, the extent of the damage, etc. before you back down. Often enough once they realize they aren't working with an idiot they will be more reasonable.