To Prevent Water Damage in Chicago, IL, Be Careful About What You Flush Down the Toilet
Sam Simon
July 28, 2015Pardon the pun, but your Chicago-area toilet shouldn’t be a “dumping” ground for anything but human waste and toilet paper. All too often, people flush many other items down the toilet which results in backed up sewer systems and nasty water damage.
If a clogged toilet causes
water damage
in your home or business, contact ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons. Our highly efficient and skilled technicians will quickly and efficiently resolve water damage problems using these effective steps: damage assessment, full water extraction, anti-microbial treatment, and drying. Upon completion of those steps, we will conduct follow-up testing to ensure everything is dried and cleaned to help you avoid mold damage later. Our company serves 18 Chicago neighborhoods, including
Bucktown
,
Hyde Park
, and
Lakeview
.
The following list of commonly used items should never be flushed down the toilet:
- Feminine hygiene products. When you’re at home, place used pads, tampons, and applicators in the waste basket. In public facilities, use the receptacles that are provided for these items. The absorbent nature of these products makes them too thick to make their way through plumbing systems.
- Cotton balls and cotton swabs. While it may seem harmless to toss these small items in the toilet, it’s not. Cotton balls and swabs don’t break down easily, but can accumulate and create a nasty clog, which can be difficult to dislodge.
- Condoms. These commonly used prophylactics don’t biodegrade and can inflate like balloons and cause destructive obstructions and costly repairs.
- Diapers. Even if you can get a diaper flushed down the toilet, it won’t get too far. These bulky items will usually get caught in the u-bend and have the potential to cause a terrible back-up and extensive water damage.
- Wipes. Skincare wipes, baby wipes, and cleaning wipes are one of the biggest causes of blockages. Even if these items are touted as “flushable,” resist the urge to throw them in the toilet. Many wipes contain plastic fibers, so they won’t disintegrate for a long, long time.
Other items that should never be flushed down the toilet include bandages, chewing gums, cigarette butts, dental floss, facial tissue, food waste (including fats, oils grease), human or pet hair, and prescription or over-the-counter medication.
If the toilet in your home or business overflows and causes water damage,
contact
the water damage restoration professionals at ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons immediately. We can be reached round-the-clock at 773-376-1110.
Sam Simon
Sam Simon is the Co-Owner and Managing Director of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE disaster restoration and specialty cleaning firm proudly serving Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties in Illinois. With over 30 years of experience in restoration project management, field operations, and emergency response, Sam plays a vital leadership role in overseeing service execution, technician development, reconstruction, and subcontractor coordination.
He holds the IICRC’s highest technical designation as a Master Fire & Water Restorer, a distinction achieved by fewer than 1% of professionals in the restoration industry. His technical scope includes water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke recovery, mold remediation, and post-disaster reconstruction across both residential and commercial sectors.
Sam has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to helping communities in crisis. He has participated in large-scale disaster recovery efforts across the U.S., providing boots-on-the-ground leadership during Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey, as well as catastrophic floods, wildfires, and deep freeze events throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, and beyond. His dedication to serving distressed families and businesses in the wake of national catastrophes reflects both his personal values and ServiceMaster’s mission of restoring peace of mind.
In 2019, Sam was selected for the HACIA Contractor Training Program, a competitive six-month construction management cohort offered by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association. The program delivers intensive instruction in blueprint reading, estimating, project management, and construction law—skills that support the company’s continued growth in emergency build-back and general contracting services.
Before co-founding ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, Sam built a successful creative career under the name Sam Zabadneh, contributing to notable film and television productions including Chicago Fire (2012), Juvies (2007), and Image Union (1978). His media and videography background continues to shape ServiceMaster’s marketing strategy, digital training resources, and brand storytelling.
→ IMDb Profile
Sam is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset—a practical guidebook for homeowners navigating the challenges of water, fire, and mold damage.
Under the direction of majority owner and President & CEO Nasutsa Mabwa, and with Sam’s operational leadership, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons has earned numerous regional and national accolades, including:
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