Did you know that toilet paper can also clog pipes? Granted, most people think of toilet paper as being water soluble and easily flushed down the drain, but that’s not always the case.
In fact, toilet paper can get stuck to debris that’s already in the plumbing system, which can lead to problems. If you ever experience this kind of problem, this article will guide you through how to get rid of toilet paper and prevent it from clogging your drains or sewer lines in the future.
Can Toilet Paper Clog Pipes?
The answer is yes, it can. Toilet paper is water soluble and if it gets stuck to debris that is already in the plumbing system, it can form a clog. If you have a partial clog down the drain, adding more toilet paper may make the problem worse.
What Are Some Other Things that Can Clog Pipes?
There are many things you can flush down the toilet that should never be flushed. Here are some of the common items many people flushed that can clog your toilet or drain and cause many problems:
1. Cigarette Butts
Cigarette butts can clog pipes because of the chemicals they contain. The chemicals in cigarettes can break down in the water, which can cause blocked pipes. Cigarette butts can also block pipes because they don’t break down in water easily. This can cause blocked pipes and even bent or broken pipes.
2. Paper Towels and Tissues
Paper towels and tissues can clog pipes if they are not properly disposed of. To avoid clogging pipes, dispose of paper towels and tissues in the garbage instead of the toilet. You can also use rags or sponges instead of paper towels when possible.
4. Cotton Balls, Rounds, or Swabs
Cotton balls, rounds, and swabs can clog pipes when flushed down the toilet. The cotton can build up and block the pipes, leading to clogs and even broken pipes. Ear swabs are especially problematic because they feature a straight form factor and are easy to get lodged in bends in plumbing lines.
5. Feminine Products
To avoid clogging your pipes, it is best to dispose of feminine products in the trash. This includes tampons and pads, which should be placed in a waste bin. If you must flush a tampon, do so separately to avoid entanglement with toilet paper.
6. Dental Floss
Dental floss can clog pipes because it can build up over time. So, you should always throw your dental floss in the trash and not flush it down the toilet.
7. Hair
Hair is one of the main things that can clog pipes. When hair clogs pipes, it can cause larger problems down the road. To prevent hair from clogging pipes, don’t flush large clumps of hair down the toilet, and use drain covers to protect your shower and sink drains.
9. Medications and Other Hazardous Materials
Medications and other hazardous materials should never be flushed down the toilet, as they can clog pipes. The best way to dispose of unused or expired medicine is to drop it off at a drug take-back site.
How Can You Prevent Clogged Pipes?
There are a few ways to prevent toilet paper from clogging up the pipes in your home. One is to teach your children how to use the toilet properly and test the quality of toilet paper before you buy it.
Toilet paper should dissolve quickly in water so that it doesn’t cause a blockage. Another way to prevent clogged pipes is by using quality paper and inspecting your pipes regularly for any damage or build-up.
In most cases, toilet paper is not enough to clog a pipe. However, if you are regularly flushing items like paper towels, cotton balls, or other materials down the toilet, it can lead to clogged pipes.
To prevent this from happening, avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper, urine, and feces. If you do experience a clogged pipe, use your favorite toilet cleaner to break up the clog and clear the passageway.
Best Toilet Paper to Prevent Clogging
Using the right toilet paper can help prevent clogging. Many different brands of toilet paper claim to be “flushable,” but in reality, they can cause problems with your pipes and sewer line.
Here are two best-recommended toilet papers to avoid clogging:
1) Scott 1000 (My No. 1 Choice)
This 1-ply toilet paper is the number 1 choice for me. Scott toilet paper is made with clog-free technology that helps keep your drains and sewer lines clear and it really works.
The toilet paper breaks down faster than all the other toilet paper which I have tested. So, if you want to keep your drains and sewer lines clog-free, then use Scott Clog-Free toilet paper.
I also like that the toilet paper is strong enough for heavy jobs but soft enough for sensitive skin.
The bath tissue is made from recycled materials and produced with 100% wind power. The cardboard cores are made from recycled material and the packaging is recyclable.
Scott 1,000 is a brand of toilet paper that uses clog-free technology. This means that the toilet paper is designed to not cause any clogs or blockages in your pipes. The Scott Trusted Clean brand also takes sustainability into account. All of their products- including bath tissue and cardboard cores- are made from recycled materials and produced with 100% wind power. In addition, the packaging is recyclable so you can dispose of it in an environmentally friendly way.
2) Angel Soft
Angel soft is one of the best toilet paper among the 2-ply options in the market today. It dissolves very quickly and disintegrates into very tiny pieces very fast. Even if you try to scoop any of it up, the pieces are so dissolved that you will not be able to get them out of the toilet.
This is a good thing because this means that your drains and sewer lines will stay clog-free for longer periods of time.
Angel Soft is a 2-ply toilet paper that is made from sustainably sourced trees. It is environmentally friendly and septic safe in standard, well-maintained sewer and septic systems. Angel Soft is an affordable option that always fits your budget.
What Should You Do if Your Pipes Are Already Clogged?
Step 1: Do Not Flush Anything Else Down the Toilet
If you have a clogged toilet, the first thing you should do is not flush anything else down the toilet. This can cause the toilet to clog even more and can cause a bigger problem.
Step 2: Try to Remove the Clog with A Plunger
To use a plunger to remove a clog, start by seating the plunger firmly against the outlet hole at the bottom of the bowl. Push the plunger up and down vigorously to create a high-intensity vacuum force.
The gurgling sound of the clog being removed is audible. Plunging is the fastest way to remove a clog. It may take multiple attempts to break large clogs, but plunging is still the fastest way.
Step 3: Try to Remove the Clog with A Toilet Auger
To remove a clog from a toilet, you can also use a toilet auger. The auger has small hooks which help dissolve the stuck toilet paper.
Insert it into the drain and push it down until you notice resistance. Then, rotate the handle to disintegrate stuck toilet paper. Clean the tool after using it to avoid damaging your bathroom.
Step 4: Try to Remove the Clog with Dish Soap
Removing clogs with dish soap is a simple process. First, make sure all the water is removed from the bowl. Next, pour a generous amount of dish liquid around the rim of the bowl.
Finally, flush the toilet using a bucket of hot water. The dish soap will help to remove any clogs that are further down the drains.
Step 5: Call a Professional
If all the above fail, it is time to call a plumber. Remember, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Conclusion
In this blog post, I have outlined how toilet paper can clog pipes even though it is water-soluble. It can get stuck on debris that is already in the plumbing system and can cause blockages.
People often flush other materials down the toilet which causes additional problems. If you are experiencing problems with your toilet, don’t flush anything down it! See the blog post for more information on how to unclog a toilet.