I moved into an apartment recently that has a septic system and I got the speech from my landlord about not flushing things. I am usually very careful, but I forgot and flushed two tampons.

I am wondering if I should be concerned and let my landlord know, or because it only happened twice, not worry about it and just be more careful. Thanks!

I moved into an apartment recently that has a septic system and I got the speech from my landlord about not flushing things. I am usually very careful, but I forgot and flushed two tampons.

I am wondering if I should be concerned and let my landlord know, or because it only happened twice, not worry about it and just be more careful. Thanks!



I was on a septic system for years. Tampons live pretty much forever in the system. My niece caused all kinds of problems by flushing just one, not saying anything and it got struck in the leach field drain pipes - or whatever those drain pipes are called (?).

I'm also a landlord. I'd want to know so the system can be pumped (if necessary) before the tampon gets stuck in the line.

I don't know experiences other people have had.

If your toilet hasn't stopped by now chances are they went out on the system. Le4t's not worry the landlord about it and be more careful in the future. However if you forget and flush one down and it stopps up the pottyyou can remove it with a closet auger. (see image) Good luck and thank you for rating my answer. Tom

If your toilet hasn't stopped by now chances are they went out on the system. Le4t's not worry the landlord about it and be more careful in the future. However if you forget and flush one down and it stopps up the pottyyou can remove it with a closet auger. (see image) Good luck and thank you for rating my answer. Tom


So far, I haven't noticed any change in how the toilet is working (thank goodness). I will keep my eye on it and if anything seems off, I will make sure to tell my landlord. Thanks for the advice Speedball1!

Usually, tampon gets through the toilet no problem. The problem is tampon traveling through horizontal sewer pipes. 50% of time the tampon will be carried to the street by the water flow inside the pipes. What you should do is to flush toilet several times and / or fill up tub full of water and drain it.

In case of septic, yes, it stays on the bottom until the septic is pumped out.

I don't think it is necessary to inform your landlord about the situation. Chances are that it will not cause any problem. But I would be careful next time, since flushing objects that hold water is the main cause of clogged sewer line.

Now I'm no septic system pro, but I can't imagine how a tampon could possibly clog the drain pipes in the leach field. Besides, don't most septic tanks have a screen covering the opening to the drain pipes to prevent objects of any significant size from entering? Not arguing, just curious.