Lawsuit over B.C. condo owner's overflowed toilet highlights danger of flushing floss
A legal dispute between neighbours at a B.C. condo building that began with an overflowed toilet highlights one of several reasons people should never flush dental floss.
The case was decided this week in the province's small claims tribunal, which ordered condo owner Robin McLean to pay $1,270 for water damage caused to his downstairs neighbour Xiangfei Kong's home.
McLean's toilet overflowed on July 20, 2020, spilling water that ultimately left Kong with a hefty bill for ceiling repairs.
A plumber later found a blockage eight feet deep in McLean's drain made up of floss and toilet paper, according to an invoice presented to the Civil Resolution Tribunal.
The condo owner argued the blockage must have started before he purchased the unit about 18 months prior, and that he had no way of knowing it was there.
Part of his argument was that his son, who "only has six teeth and has never used dental floss," was living in the unit at the time, according to the tribunal's decision.
Tribunal member Leah Volkers was not convinced.
Volker noted that McLean's son wasn't a party in the dispute and that the father didn't provide any details about the living arrangements, including whether he lived in the condo as well.
"On balance, and considering the available evidence, I find the most likely scenario is that the blockage occurred as a result of dental floss being flushed down the toilet by either Mr. McLean or his son," she wrote.
While no one submitted expert evidence on the danger of flushing floss, the tribunal determined that was "ordinary knowledge," and that doing so "falls below the standard of care of a reasonable toilet user."
Beyond causing run-of-the-mill toilet clogs, officials warn that floss can consolidate with other materials and contribute to serious issues with municipal sewer systems.
It's one of several items listed as "unflushable" on the website for Metro Vancouver, which spends more than $100,000 a year de-clogging regional pump stations.
Most floss is also made of nylon coated in wax, and is said to take decades to decompose while presenting a possible hazard to fish and other animals because of its tear-proof design.
Volkers found McLean liable for negligence, and ordered him to pay the cost of Kong's ceiling repair along with $4.83 in pre-judgment interest on the bill.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.