Why You Shouldn’t Flush Wipes — Even If the Label Says “Flushable”

The label says “flushable.”
But what your toilet can swallow and what your pipes can handle? Two very different things.

If you live in Scarborough — or anywhere in the GTA — and use wipes that go down the toilet, you’re not alone. But trust us: behind the scenes, those “flushable” wipes are causing serious damage.

We’ve pulled massive clogs out of drains that looked fine on the surface… until the basement filled with water.

Here’s the problem: unlike toilet paper, which breaks down almost instantly in water, wipes stay intact. They’re made with synthetic fibers that don’t dissolve — they twist, bind, and catch onto anything they touch inside your pipes.

That one wipe you flushed? It might get through. But the tenth, the hundredth? Now you’ve got a ropey, solid mass inside your line. Add in a bit of grease, hair, and debris, and you’ve got yourself a blockage waiting to happen.

What Happens Next?

The buildup grows. Slowly at first. But one day, the water stops draining. Your toilet bubbles. The basement drain gurgles. You run the laundry, and suddenly the floor’s wet.

We’ve seen wipes cause:

• Full sewer line backups

• Cracked pipes under pressure

• Burned-out sump pumps

• And thousands in emergency cleanup costs

And the worst part? Most homeowners don’t even know what caused it until we pull out a fat, tangled clump of “flushables” on camera.

What UPR Recommends in Scarborough

Don’t rely on marketing labels. Rely on what works.

We recommend:

• Only flushing toilet paper — period.

• Keeping a sealed bin for wipes and other disposables.

• Calling us the moment you notice bubbling, slow drainage, or smell.

And if the damage is already done? No stress. UPR clears it with no mess and zero judgment.

 Local Insight:

In Scarborough’s older neighborhoods, many homes still have narrow clay or cast iron pipes, which are much more prone to catching wipes and debris. If you’ve had even one backup, it’s time to rethink what’s going down the toilet.

Call 647-833-6743

Contact UPR

If you flush the wrong stuff, your pipes get tough — UPR clears it fast when things get rough.
Serving Scarborough & the GTA with safe, fast, wipe-busting drain repair.