Hair is a common item that many consider flushing down the toilet after a shower or haircut. However, flushing hair can lead to serious plumbing issues that are messy and expensive to fix. Let’s take a deeper look at why flushing hair is not recommended and tips for properly disposing of hair to prevent costly drainage problems. Table of Contents Hair can get stuck in the drain line. Hair is designed to withstand water and tends to cling together when wet. When flushed, hair travels through pipes until it reaches areas with slower water flow where it can become snarled and tangled. Over time, hair buildup in drain lines constricts the pipe diameter leading to poor drainage and eventual clog prevention. Even small amounts of hair flushed regularly can accumulate into a sizable wad that blocks wastewater flow.
Hair can cause water damage to your home. Should the drain line become fully blocked by hair, wastewater has nowhere to go and will back up. This often means sewage overflowing from drains, toilets, and other plumbing fixtures onto floors and walls. The contaminated water release poses health hazards and causes expensive repairs to fix damaged flooring, drywall, and other structures impacted by the flood. Proper hair disposal is a crucial part of maintaining effective drainage and preventing potentially serious home damage. How to prevent hair from getting into your toilet The best approach is preventing hair from entering the plumbing system in the first place through careful hair hygiene and disposal practices. Here are some effective tips. Cut Out Tangles Before You Shower Run a wide-toothed comb through wet or dry hair before showering to remove knots and tangles that are prone to breaking off and being washed down the drain.