Flushable wipes - do you allow/encourage/discourage that?

Question

As I walk my properties I am noticing an increasing usage of flushable wipes.  Using sitting on top of the toilet tank.

Are you noticing the same?

As a landlord, is this a concern to you?

I am sending this article from New York Times to all my tenants.

Wet Wipes Box Says Flush. New York’s Sewer System Says Don’t.

I am not saying they shouldn't or couldn't.

Thoughts?

Steve T. · Answer

I state in my lease that all drains are operating properly at the signing of the lease, and tenant is responsible for all stoppages. This has eliminated 99% of all my drain problems!!

Aly W. · Answer

I tell my new tenants that nothing is to be flushed down the toilet that hasn't been eaten first - except toilet paper :)

The lease is actually worded somewhat differently, but I do put a list of items that other tenants have flushed. Diapers, keys, socks, washcloths, small toys. Some were flushed accidentally by kids, others by those not thinking.

I use makeup wipes, but do not flush them.

David Krulac · Answer

100% agree with Aly NA

We just had a septic system pumped at a tenant house with baby wipes clogging the system and backing it up into the house.

Whether you are on public sewer or septic, NO WIPES!

Dawn Anastasi · Answer

I tell everyone who moves in how bad baby wipes are and they cannot be flushed.

James Wise · Answer

Flushable wipes are NO GOOD.

They will clog the drain.

Kimberly H. · Answer

Adding "NO FLUSHABLE WIPES"  to my lease as we speak...

Marcia Maynard · Answer

Most municipalities are seeing the downside of flushable wipes. I wish the manufacturers would stop marketing them as flushable. Sure they flush through the toilet fine, but it's true they don't break down and get caught on tree roots and in the sewage treatment plant machinery. If you don't spell it out for the tenant, they won't think anything about it and will follow the directions on the package and flush them. Absolutely we need to educate our tenants and prohibit the flushing of wipes!

Roy N. · Answer

Here the City spent over 30K removing wipes from one sewer lift station last autumn (they have four more pumps that are partially clogged) and took over 3-tonne of them to the landfill.  There have also been issues with laterals being clogged (particularly older cast iron or clay lines).  The City has made it very clear to property owners that if they are required to clear a lateral due to a blockage resulting from wipes, the property owner will foot the entire bill.

We have likewise made it very clear to our tenants that the use of wipes is prohibited in our properties and any costs incurred to clear an obstruction resulting from their use will be passed along to the tenant.

We had one instance in November where tenants use of wipes managed to clog a backflow valve at one of our properties.  I cost more than $250 to clear and repair and the tenant was invoiced for the full amount.

Mark Brogan · Answer

no wipes ever i had issues with the wipes on a septic systemi would add that to your leases if not already @Sam Leon

Bryan N. · Answer

More importantly.... How do you stop it?  When I lease a place the tenants initial that all drains work accordingly and they are responsible if they clog them.  But, beyond that you can't stop it.

Flushable wipes - do you allow/encourage/discourage that?

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