Do You Make This Common Septic System Mistake With Toilet Paper?

If you have a septic system, you know that maintaining it properly is essential to avoid expensive repairs or even complete system failure. However, many homeowners unknowingly make mistakes when it comes to their septic-safe toilet paper choices. Using the wrong toilet paper can wreak havoc on your septic tank, resulting in wastewater backups, clogs, and the need for costly pumping. Read on to find out if you are making this common septic system mistake with toilet paper.

Flushable Wipes Are Not Septic-Safe

In recent years, flushable wipes have exploded in popularity due to their convenience. However, it turns out these wipes labeled as flushable are not very septic-friendly at all. Flushable wipes refer to pre-moistened personal hygiene or cleaning wipes that manufacturers claim are safe to flush down the toilet. These wipes are usually made of fibers like rayon or cotton blended with plastics like polyester.

While they may flush down without issue, the problem arises when they reach your septic system. Flushable wipes do not break down like regular toilet paper. The fibers resist water and keep their shape and strength as they pass through the plumbing. Over time, flushable wipes accumulate in the septic tank rather than decomposing. They can amass into giant clogged masses of soggy wipes that block pipes and causes wastewater to back up.

No matter what any label claims, flushable wipes should never be flushed in a septic system. Even wipes marketed as septic-safe have been shown to cause major issues down the line. Avoid serious plumbing disasters and septic tank damage by skipping the flushable wipes, no matter how convenient they seem.

Bidets Are a Septic-Friendly Alternative

If you want an easy clean without clogging your septic system, install a bidet. Bidets attach to existing toilets and use a stream of water to clean instead of paper. By reducing your need for wipes and toilet paper, bidets provide a septic-friendly hygiene solution.

Consider Composting Toilets for a Septic-Free Option

For a completely septic-free alternative, a composting toilet uses no water and instead leverages natural processes to break down waste. Composting toilets can be a great eco-friendly option to avoid septic issues, especially in rural cabins or small homes.

Extra Soft Toilet Paper Can Disrupt Waste Breakdown

While it may feel nice, extra soft toilet paper can wreak havoc in your septic system. Extra soft toilet paper refers to luxury brands of toilet paper with added lotions, creams, or perfumes to feel more pampering on your skin. Companies produce these premium soft papers through an extensive process of chemicals and additives.

All of those extra chemicals and processing is terrible news for your septic tank. The additives and perfumes are harmful to the beneficial microorganisms your septic system relies on to break down waste and ensure proper functioning. Killing off these essential bacteria causes the decomposition process to slow dramatically, allowing solid waste to accumulate much faster.

To keep your septic tank working efficiently, avoid using extra soft toilet papers even though they may feel nice. The health of your septic system takes priority over a tiny luxury.

Consider Septic-Safe Recycled Toilet Paper

For a septic-friendly and environmentally-conscious toilet paper choice, look for brands made from recycled materials. Many eco-friendly companies now offer toilet paper made sustainably from recycled paper products. Just be sure to verify the brand is septic-safe and processed without harsh chemicals.

Extra Strong Toilet Paper Leads to Clogs

While extra soft toilet paper may seem like an obvious septic system no-no, another type of paper that is easy to overlook is extra strong. Extra strong toilet paper contains thicker paper fibers that resist tearing or breaking down in water. It is manufactured this way to prevent your fingers from poking through the paper when wiping.

However, what is good for your fingers is disastrous for your septic system. Those thicker and tougher fibers are difficult for septic systems to break down. Over months and years of flushing extra strong toilet paper, it will accumulate into larger masses within your septic tank. This significantly slows down the decomposition process and causes obstructions and clogs in the pipes.

To avoid headaches down the road, do not buy extra strong toilet paper if you have a septic system. The minor convenience is not worth destroying your septic tank.

Look For Septic-Safe Brands

Rather than risking clogged pipes, look for toilet paper brands specially formulated to be septic-safe. Many smaller companies now make toilet paper designed specifically for septic systems using biodegradable and eco-friendly practices.

Quilted Toilet Paper Swells and Clogs Pipes

Many luxury brands of toilet paper feature a quilted or molded pattern to make the toilet paper feel more cushiony and absorbent. However, while this quilted style may feel fancy, it can spell disaster for your septic system.

When saturated with water, quilted toilet paper has a tendency to unravel and swell up. These bulky masses of soggy toilet paper can easily get stuck and cause major clogging issues as they travel through the narrow septic pipes. The swelling effect is amplified in smaller or older septic systems that have smaller diameter pipes.

Quilted toilet paper also contributes to a quicker buildup of solid waste within the actual septic tank. As it absorbs more water, it breaks down slower while taking up increased space. For septic system owners, it is best to avoid those tempting quilted toilet papers and seek out a brand designed specifically to be septic-safe.

Upgrade Old Or Failing Septic Pipes

If you have an older septic system prone to backups, consider upgrading your septic pipes to wider PVC piping. This can help alleviate swelling and clogging issues caused by modern toilet papers.

Consider More Eco-Friendly Options

For the ultimate septic-friendly toilet paper choice, go green. There are several environmentally-conscious toilet paper options that are safe for your septic system. Greener toilet paper brands avoid dyes, fragrances, and other harsh processing chemicals that can damage septic tanks.

As mentioned earlier, bidets are a great eco-option that can drastically reduce your toilet paper use and impact on your septic system. You may also want to consider installing a composting toilet. Composting toilets do not require any water for flushing, so there is zero sewage output to stress your septic system.

Finally, look for toilet paper made from recycled materials. Not only is this better for the environment, but recycled paper brands tend to use fewer harsh chemicals in processing. Just be sure to verify any eco-toilet paper is septic system safe before purchasing.

Reduce Water Usage For Less Septic Strain

Consider reducing your overall household water usage to place less strain on your septic system. Take shorter showers, fix leaks, and upgrade to water-efficient appliances to generate less wastewater.

Use Caution With Fragranced Paper

When shopping for septic-safe toilet paper, be very wary of any products listing added fragrances, perfumes, or scents. While it may smell nice, fragrant toilet paper can wreak havoc in your septic tank.

As discussed regarding extra soft toilet paper, the chemicals added to fragranced varieties are very disruptive to the bacteria and microorganisms needed for proper septic system function. Killing off the essential bacteria causes waste decomposition to slow drastically.

Fragrances also significantly alter the chemistry within the septic tank, which can allow solid waste and toilet paper to accumulate much more quickly. Unless you want to be pumping your septic tank monthly, avoid anything labeled as scented, fragranced, or perfumed.

Ventilate Bathrooms Properly

To avoid needing fragranced products to mask odors, ensure bathrooms are properly ventilated. Install vent fans or open windows to remove moisture and let fresh air circulate.

Reduce Waste With Toilet Paper Dispenser

One simple way to reduce load and strain on your septic system is to install toilet paper dispensers. Toilet paper rolls left out freely encourage overuse. Having to manually pull down each piece from a dispenser limits excess waste.

Reducing your overall toilet paper use means less material ending up in your septic system. Less accumulation of toilet paper fibers and waste means a healthier septic environment. If your septic tank is nearing capacity, a dispenser can extend its lifespan significantly.

Any style of toilet paper dispenser will work fine. Just be sure it is designed well and located conveniently to avoid frustration. Properly limiting toilet paper waste will benefit both your septic system and the environment.

Reduce Use of Paper Towels

Paper towel usage also contributes unnecessary waste to septic systems. Consider cloth towels and other reusable options to minimize paper towel use and waste.

If you skipped straight to the end, go back and read this article carefully! Toilet paper choices can make or break your septic system. Avoid convenient but septic-harming options like flushable wipes and soft quilted papers. Stick to septic-safe brands or eco-friendly toilet paper to avoid issues.

With proper maintenance and the right toilet paper, your septic system can function smoothly for decades. Just be vigilant about your toilet paper brands and usage to prevent expensive repairs, backups, and early system failure.

Now that you know what mistakes to avoid, you can keep your septic tank healthy for the long run. Pass on these toilet paper tips to help spread awareness! With the right knowledge, we can all lessen the impact our daily habits have on these sensitive septic systems.