Don’t Flush – what you should NOT put down your drains
Posted on 12th August, 2020 by Dura Pump 
Everyone plays a role in keeping pump systems and waterways clear but sometimes naivety and negligence can lead to expensive and unnecessary problems. Educating tenants and individuals on what SHOULD and SHOULDN’T be flushed can save building owners and facilities managers a lot of issues. To help our customers, the Dura Pump team has compiled a list of things that should not be flushed to help support you and your pump systems.
THE FOLLOWING MUST NOT BE DISCHARGED INTO THE DRAINS:
• Cleaning rags and cloths
• Syringes; hypodermic needles
• Wet wipes
• Nappies
• Sanitary items
• Any solid or material items
• Medicines and medical equipment
• Fat, oil and grease
DOWNLOAD OUR PRINTABLE ‘DONT FLUSH’ DOCUMENT
HOW TO DEAL WITH ‘UNFLUSHABLES’
Medicines and medical equipment
Take unused medicines to a pharmacist for safe disposal.
Fat, oil and grease
These products tend to cool down, separate from water and coagulate within the Pump Station’s chamber. Fats, oils and greases encase the pump and floats, causing blockages and pump failure. They can form large solid blocks and slabs, stopping the Pump Station from operating. Scrape these products into the bin and use strainers/traps in plug holes to prevent them from entering the waterway.
Wet wipes, nappies, sanitary towels, incontinence materials, soft toys, tennis balls, etc.
It may seem a bit obvious to say this but it is amazing what gets flushed down the loo from time to time, causing blockages in the Pump Station.
When so-called disposable nappies and sanitary towels soften, they do not degrade fully. Similarly, fabric cleansing wipes and nappy liners with packaging stating that they are “flushable” should not be flushed into the Pump Station. Unfortunately, what this actually means is that the products will go down the toilet and will later form a mass of stringy ragging that will lead to malfunction and blockages. It is best to dispose of these products by other means.
Pump Stations are designed to take sewage, wastewater and toilet paper only. Anything else will likely lead to blockages and Pump Station malfunction.
