SEPTIC GUIDES FOR HOMEOWNERS
Can Too Much Toilet Paper Cause a Septic Backup?
Yes. Toilet paper belongs in the toilet, but a large wad can clog a pipe before it has a chance to come apart. If heavy paper use is routine, more material also reaches the tank. Paper can collect with other solids and add to the buildup that needs to be pumped out. EPA guide to septic care · Septic toilet paper testing
Why some toilet paper holds together longer
A soft, thick, or strong toilet paper can feel better to use. For plumbing, what matters is how quickly the paper comes apart once it gets wet. A sheet that holds its strength when wet can stay in larger pieces longer. Thickness and ply count can give you clues, but neither tells you how a specific product will behave. Research on wet strength and fiber composition · Septic toilet paper testing
What tests found with familiar brands
- Charmin Ultra Strong
- It had the lowest disintegration score among the products in a 2012 Consumer Reports comparison. That finding applies to the version tested at the time. Consumer Reports test
- Charmin, Kirkland, and Cottonelle
- In a separate simulated septic study, the Charmin and Cottonelle samples left larger pieces, and the Kirkland sample was clumpy. The Charmin and Kirkland samples caused outlet blockages in the reported test. The Cottonelle sample left larger pieces without blocking the outlet in that phase. Enviro Neptune and Fleming College test results
- Great Value and Scott RV
- In that same study, the Great Value sample broke into very small pieces and had no reported outlet blockage in that phase. The Scott RV sample still formed some clumps. Enviro Neptune and Fleming College test results
These are results for the samples tested. If paper clogs are a recurring problem, try a toilet tissue that comes apart more readily in water and use less per flush.
What happens when paper builds up?
Toilet paper breaks down in two ways. First, water and movement separate the sheet into fibers. Over time, microorganisms can digest some of the cellulose in those fibers. Those processes happen at different speeds. A thick wad can stay together and block flow well before bacteria have time to act. In the tank, paper can remain as a soggy, partly decomposed mass mixed with other solids. That material can still need to be pumped out. Research on biological breakdown of toilet paper fibers · Septic toilet paper testing
What you can do at home
- Use only what you need per flush. Avoid flushing a large, tightly packed wad.
- Keep wipes, paper towels, and facial tissues out of the toilet. Put them in the trash.
- Pay attention to where the problem happens. If one toilet keeps clogging, start with a plumber. If several fixtures slow down or back up together, stop using water and have the line and septic system checked. Paper is one possible cause. A clogged filter or another restriction can produce similar symptoms. EPA guidance on septic system problems
Having repeated clogs or a septic backup? Call Moore’s Septic Services at 740-415-7760. Tell us whether it affects one toilet or several drains so we can help you decide what to check first.