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
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Trump hush money trial: Play-by-play on Day 2 of Stormy Daniels testimony
Adult film star Stormy Daniels took the stand for a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump's hush money case continues in Manhattan.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.