Can toilet paper clog a sewer line?

Author: Bethany Cole DDS  |  Last update: Sunday, November 19, 2023

Too much toilet paper can clog the sewer line. Toilet paper combined with other materials causes frequent clogs, causing you to call a plumber repeatedly every other day. Switch to one-ply toilet paper if you experience this issue frequently.

How do you dissolve toilet paper in a sewer line?

5 Methods on How to Dissolve Toilet Paper in a Sewer Line
  1. Use a toilet plunger.
  2. Pour hot water and dish soap into the bowl.
  3. Toilet snakes can help clear clogged toilets.
  4. Use chemical products that are safe for septic systems.
  5. Use vinegar, baking soda, and hot water.

Will a toilet paper clog eventually dissolve?

When a toilet has a clog made of water-soluble materials, it has a chance of slowly dissolving in the water and freeing up the toilet to work properly again. So, clogs that are primarily made of toilet paper can clear themselves.

How long does it take for toilet paper to dissolve in pipes?

Toilet paper easily dissolves in water in a process that takes anywhere from one to four minutes. Toilet paper's quick-dissolve qualities are engineered to help it pass through pipes or septic systems, and to be processed by municipal sewer treatment plants.

Can toilet paper clog your pipes?

Ideally, the toilet paper you choose should quickly dissolve. If it doesn't, your toilet paper can build up in your pipes and clog your plumbing. This is especially true if you own a low-flow toilet. While these toilets save water, they provide less pressure to push the toilet paper down the pipes.

Tips for Dissolving Toilet Paper Clogs in the Toilet Drain

How do you clear a main sewer line clog yourself?

High Water Pressure with Baking Soda and Vinegar

To do this, use a 2:1 ratio of vinegar to baking soda, and mix it into 60 gallons of water. As you pour the water down the drain, use a drain snake or plunger to dislodge debris that is blocking water flow.

Is it bad to flush toilet paper down the drain?

Too Much Toilet Paper

Not only is it wasteful, but also, using too much toilet paper can lead to major plumbing issues. Large wads of toilet paper are difficult to flush and can easily cause a clog in small pipes.

Does Drano dissolve toilet paper?

The only form of Drano® product recommended for use in a slow toilet is Drano® Max Build-Up Remover. When used according to label directions, the microorganisms in this product will break down toilet paper and organic matter in pipes, which can slow water flow. (This product will NOT open a completely clogged toilet.)

What happens if you flush too much toilet paper?

Not only will using copious amounts of toilet paper increase the risk of creating recurring toilet clogs, too much bathroom tissue is also the most common cause for professional drain cleaning service.

What is the best toilet paper that won't clog pipes?

Quilted Northern Ultra Plush Supreme

Plumbers advise 1-ply toilet paper for use in the bathroom as it is the best toilet paper to prevent clogs.

What toilet paper is bad for plumbing?

3 or 4-ply Toilet Paper. If you use 3 or 4-ply toilet paper, you're more likely to have a plumbing problem. This is because the extra layers of paper can cause a blockage in the pipes, which will result in sewage backing up into your home.

What happens if you leave a toilet clogged overnight?

Is it okay to leave a clogged toilet overnight? In most cases, you can leave a clogged toilet overnight. However, calling an emergency plumber near you might be warranted if water starts leaking from the pipes. A simple clog likely won't cause this, but an inexperienced homeowner messing with the plumbing could.

Can hot water unclog toilet paper?

Try Hot Water

The easiest and first thing to try when attempting to unclog toilets without a plunger is hot water. The addition of hot water might be enough to loosen the clog and dislodge the blockage. Fill a bucket with about a gallon of hot water from the sink or bathtub.

What unclogs a sewer line?

Combine 1/3 cup vinegar and 1/3 cup baking soda. Pour the mixture into the blocked sewer drain. You can use vinegar to remove the hair, grease, and grime from the main sewer line if you are not sure how to do it. After one hour, flush the pipe with hot water.

Can a plunger unclog a sewer line?

The Plunger Method

A plunger works to unclog the main sewer line because it creates an airtight seal with the drain. In the process, it helps force the stubborn clog out of the plumbing system drains. The perfect airtight seal will create additional pressure and help dislodge the main sewer line blockage.

Does Charmin clog sewer lines?

For more than 80 years, Charmin has been a reliable bath tissue, trusted in millions of Americans' homes. Extensive tests show that when Charmin is used as intended in a properly functioning plumbing system, it shouldn't cause plumbing problems. And, Charmin toilet paper is used by more plumbers than any other brand.

Is it better to flush toilet paper or throw it away?

Methane is one of the most commonly linked chemicals to landfills - as it is a gas that can be more potent than carbon dioxide. So in short it is better to flush your toilet paper and to be sure that you are using biodegradable, eco-friendly toilet paper that will break down easier in our water systems.

What problems can toilet paper cause?

Are You Allergic to Toilet Paper?
  • Allergic Reaction. Technically, you can be allergic to certain chemicals, like fragrance, used in your toilet paper. ...
  • Yeast Infections. This is a common reason to avoid scented toilet paper. ...
  • Microcuts. ...
  • UTIs. ...
  • Puffiness.

Is it better to flush toilet paper down the toilet or throw it away?

Treatment plants effectively remove toilet paper from wastewater, but all other garbage should go in the trash can. These Items belong in the trash can. The only thing you should ever flush down a toilet is human waste (urine and feces) and toilet paper.

How long does it take for toilet paper to decompose in a septic tank?

It might not be as quick and efficient as you think, think how often septic systems get blocked up due to toilet tissue. In most cases, it can take as little as one month, perfect, right? Well, in the wrong conditions it could take anywhere in between one and three years for it to fully decompose.

How do you unclog a toilet pipe?

Heat up a gallon of hot water on the stove and pour some dish soap into your toilet while the water is heating up. When the water is extremely hot, but not boiling, pour into the toilet carefully. Wait for 10-15 minutes while the dish soap and hot water soften the clog.

Why won't my toilet paper flush?

If your toilet is struggling to complete a flush, there are several possible solutions, including clearing a clog, adjusting the refill valve, fixing the flapper, cleaning the inlet holes, replacing an outdated model, or addressing a broader plumbing problem.

Does some toilet paper block drains?

If only paper, pee or poo can go down your loo – does it matter what kind of paper you use? Don't forget that too much toilet paper can also block your drains! Yes, it does.

How much toilet paper is too much to flush?

The most common answer that comes up in all debates is anywhere from 4-8 squares of toilet paper. Any more and you risk clogging the toilet simply because you didn't count your squares.

How do I know if my main sewer line is clogged?

Signs You May Have a Main Sewer Line Clog
  1. Multiple slow-running drains. If more than one drain is running slow, it's probably not a coincidence, but an indication that one clog is causing issues for all of them. ...
  2. Water backing up into other drains. ...
  3. Gurgling sounds. ...
  4. Sewage odors coming from the drains.

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