If your home is connected to a septic tank for waste storage and later removal, it’s easy to believe you’re somewhat immune to sewer line problems. This is a mistake because there are good practices to follow when you install and use a septic tank. One of the things that many people overlook is the effect that toilet paper can have on their septic tanks. Flushing a lot of toilet paper can take a toll on the system and may lead to a clog or overflow. This article will take a closer look at this topic to help you make informed choices.
Understanding Toilet Paper
Everyone in the developed world is familiar with toilet paper, where it’s sourced, and how to use it responsibly. Although many people hoarded toilet paper during the pandemic because they dreaded shortages, these shortfalls never occurred. This is because toilet paper is simply too light and easy to make to be moved via containers. Almost all toilet paper is made relatively short of the distance from where it’s sold and can be restocked quickly. Modern toilet paper is made from pulped virgin trees that grow very rapidly, and in some parts of the world, bamboo trees serve the same purpose.
All toilet paper is designed to be biodegradable and flushable to minimize the potential for damage to your home plumbing system and the wider environment. Standard toilet paper works well when the home is connected to a public sewer system. The only real drawback is if people flush the wrong type of materials, such as “flushable wipes,” kitchen towels, and more, which can cause clogs.
But, a home connected to a septic tank is a little different because if too much toilet paper is flushed quickly, it can increase the risk of clogging. When a sewer line is clogged, the performance is compromised, the drains may slow, and it may even become impossible to flush the waste away. In extreme cases, the waste may flow back into the home because it has nowhere else to go. The only way to fix this problem is to contact a local plumber to inspect the sewer line with a camera and remove the clog manually.
7 Ways to Ímprove Septic Tank Performance
Those who rely on their septic tanks need to protect them to ensure that they function as intended. Let’s take a look at seven ways to improve performance and why toilet paper choices play such a crucial role in septic tank health.
1. Switching to Disintegrating Toilet Paper
Select toilet paper brands are designed to disintegrate when they come into contact with water. This paper is used as usual, and when it’s thrown into the toilet bowl, it simply disappears in a few seconds. This does come at a premium; disintegrating toilet paper costs more than standard toilet paper. But, for many septic tank owners, this gives them extra peace of mind that risks of clogging are minimized.
2. Avoid Using Too Much Toilet Paper
Some people tend to use too much toilet paper every time they visit the bathroom. They may tear off multiple pieces at the same time and roll them into a ball. This is a bad strategy because large chunks of toilet paper are flushed at the same time, increasing the risk of clogging the sewer line and septic tank.
3. Switch to Recycled Toilet Paper
This may seem like a sound idea to protect your septic system’s environment and health. But there is no scientific evidence to support this theory, and in terms of flush ability, these products are no better than brand-name fluffier toilet paper. However, these products are suitable for the environment, and if they are used sparingly, there is no real reason not to use them.
4. Throw the Used Toilet Paper Away
This will probably be the least popular option, but there is no legal requirement to remove used toilet paper. The paper can be placed in a sealed trash bin and then in the general trash when complete. This can introduce foul odors into the home, making disposal very unpleasant. The upside is that the sewer line and septic tank are protected, but most people wouldn’t want to consider this approach.
5. Avoid “Flushable” Wipes
We briefly mentioned this earlier, but it bears repeating because these toilet cleaning products harm your home plumbing system. These products are marketed as flushable but take a long time to break down. Plumbers can attest that these cleaning wipes can form minor clogs or be part of a formidable clog. They can easily combine with other flushed items, such as soap scum, hair, kitchen towels, and other things that should never be flushed away. It’s better to clean the toilet with a dedicated toilet brush and a non-chlorine toilet cleaner. Always clean in a well-ventilated room to avoid breathing in the bleach fumes as you work.
6. Septic Tank Maintenance Products
Septic tank maintenance products on the market can eliminate organic matter using enzymes. This will break apart any toilet paper, hair, and other items that should not be in the septic tank. This is a great way to restore the bacterial balance in the tank without causing any damage to the plumbing system. The drains will smell fresher when the bacteria and any clogs are removed. These products are pretty simple to use and can sometimes be effective.
7. Septic Tank Maintenance
Investing in professional maintenance for your home plumbing system, sewer lines, and septic tank makes good financial sense. After all, you rely on these systems daily; without them, you can quickly be reduced to a miserable quality of life. A local plumbing company can inspect your system and advise on areas needing further attention. There could be leaks or breaks to fix, and some cleaning may be necessary. If you use one, the septic tank will be included. When you choose a company, get a total work estimate before it commences.
Avoid Chlorine-Based Cleaning Products
Sharp-eyed readers may have noted that we do not favor using chlorine-based bleach products to clean the toilet. This is important, as many modern toilet papers are white due to bleaching to make the products cleaner-looking and more accessible to the market. However, bleach and certain other chemicals will hurt the decomposition process. This process is essential for the septic tank’s health, and any substances that alter the balance between the anaerobic bacteria and waste should be avoided.
Make Smarter Toilet Paper Choices
We’ve already covered some options, but there are a few general considerations when choosing septic tank-friendly toilet paper. First, it’s important to note that, in principle, all toilet paper is safe to use with a septic tank. The main problems arise when too much is used simultaneously and other items that should not be flushed are added. Avoiding chlorine-based bleach products can help the septic tank, but the system will still work as intended if you are forced to use standard white toilet paper.
Look for a tradeoff between comfort and utility when you look for toilet paper. Ideally, you should choose toilet paper that dissolves quickly into smaller particles the system can easily handle. Certain brands emphasize this characteristic, but some work better than others. It’s a great idea to buy a few different brands and see how they perform before you make your final decision. When testing toilet paper, simultaneously limit the use to 4-5 pieces. You can even simulate flushing if you put the toilet paper in a sealed jar partially filled with water and shake it vigorously. Look at the paper to see if it’s fully dissolved or broken into smaller pieces.
Septic Tank Considerations
Many people flush their toilets, sending the waste to the nearest treatment facility. Their main concern is that the bathroom and connecting sewer line are free from clogs, cracks, tree root intrusions, and other hazards. However, those using a septic system have more responsibilities to consider. All naturally occurring bacteria will ultimately decompose into an unhealthy and unpleasant sludge. Over time, this sludge can accumulate into several layers that must be periodically removed. This is why pumping the septic tank at the required intervals is essential.
If you’re concerned about the health of your home plumbing system and septic tank, contact your local professional plumbers.
