What is the Best Toilet Paper for My Plumbing System?
Posted by Moore Home Services
Plumbing
Do you know what kind of toilet paper to use to prevent clogs in your plumbing system? There are many different options, and they all have different strengths and weaknesses. We’re spilling the beans on the best toilet paper so you can choose the right one for your plumbing system.
Does Toilet Paper Really Matter?
When shopping for toilet paper, you might be tempted to think that all brands are pretty much the same. But this is not true. There are differences in the quality of different toilet paper brands, and it’s important to know what makes these differences.
The main difference between brands of toilet paper is how they’re made and how they’re marketed. Some are made with recycled tissue, and others are made with virgin fiber (newly cut trees). In addition, some companies use chlorine bleach in their products, while others use oxygen bleach.
Toilet Paper Factors to Consider
There are lots of different toilet paper brands on the market. But when choosing toilet paper, there are four main factors to bear in mind.
How Fast it Dissolves
When you flush slow-dissolving toilet paper down the toilet, it’s not fully absorbed into the water until it reaches the sewer system. That means it takes longer to break down than fast-dissolving toilet paper. This can cause clogs in your pipes and even back up into your home if you have a septic tank or leach field.
Chlorine-Free
Chlorine can harm the beneficial microorganisms that live in your septic tank. If those microorganisms die off, they can’t do their job of breaking down waste and making it easier to digest by bacteria in the soil around your home. That means more sludge buildup in your septic tank — which could eventually clog up the lines that lead from the tank to the drain field.
Strength
Ply is the number of layers or fibers in a sheet of tissue. For example, a 2-ply sheet has two layers, while a 4-ply sheet has four layers, and so on.
The number of plies in a roll of toilet paper can influence things like softness, thickness, and strength. For example, two-ply tissue may be less comfortable than four-ply tissue.
Eco-Friendly
Eco-friendly toilet paper is a type of toilet paper that’s made from recycled materials like old office paper, wastepaper, or bamboo. It’s also biodegradable, meaning it can be safely flushed down the toilet.
Why Ply Matters
The main reason why 1-ply toilet paper is better for your septic tank and plumbing system is that it breaks down quickly. The fibers in 3-ply toilet paper are too thick to dissolve in water, so they won’t break down quickly. This can cause problems for your plumbing system and the septic tank in your home.
Toilet Paper That Can Hurt Your Plumbing System
If you want to avoid expensive plumbing maintenance, don’t flush away these toilet papers.
3 or 4-Ply Toilet Tissue
You’ll clog up your pipes if you use 3 or 4-ply toilet paper. The problem is the thickness of the paper.
Thin toilet paper breaks down easily in the water and doesn’t cause problems, but thicker toilet paper can get stuck on the sides of the pipe and block it up. The more ply, the longer it takes for the paper to break down.
Extra Soft
Extra soft toilet paper doesn’t break down easily in the water, so it can stick to your pipes and cause damage over time. This causes clogs in your plumbing system and makes it much harder to keep things flowing smoothly in your home.
Flushable Wipes
Flushable wipes are a great convenience product. They’re handy for people who don’t have access to a sink, such as parents of young children. But it’s important to remember that flushable wipes should never be flushed down the toilet.
The reason is simple – flushable wipes don’t break down easily like toilet paper, and they can clog your drains and sewers.
The Best Type of Toilet Paper to Use
Eco-friendly, recycled toilet paper is best for the environment and your plumbing. But you don’t have to sacrifice comfort or softness.
If you’re looking for a softer option, try one made with plant-based materials like bamboo or cotton. These tend to be less abrasive than traditional wood pulp-based brands and may leave your bum feeling softer and smoother.
You should also avoid super-soft toilet paper, which can cause pipes to clog faster. This is because it doesn’t break down as easily in water and can stick together when flushed down the toilet bowl.
Need plumbing maintenance for your Santa Rosa home? Give our plumbing professionals at Moore Home Services a call. We’ve got all your plumbing needs covered.
