We want to inform you of the severity and effects on plumbing systems from flushing anything other than “normal” items down the toilets.

Flushing Kitty litter down the toilet can have major effects on the plumbing. Here are a few reasons why flushing Kitty litter is bad for the plumbing:

First, Kitty litter clumps and/or swells, neither is good for the pipes. Clumping litters in particular are non flushable. The grains don't dissolve in water, so it would have the same effect as flushing gravel down your toilet.

Second, a lot of litters are clay based, clay will settle in the trap (the "U" bend that keeps sewer smells in the sewer), impeding flow. This won't block the pipe by itself, but can be bound by other things.

Third, many plumbing pipes will get root intrusions over time. When roots intrude into the pipe “material” passing down the drain gets trapped in the roots, restricting the flow or even causing a complete blockage.

If anything other than “normal items” are flushed down the toilet they will build up on these roots. This can eventually destroy a sewer or septic system, costing the homeowner thousands of dollars to repair or replace.