Posted by What is Toilet Clogged With Paper Towels like?
Do you have your toilet stuffed with toilet paper? Looking for ways to unblock your toilet? Are you the type that uses paper towels to flush? Then you are to note the things you are not to put down your toilet for a flush except by using toilet paper because things like paper towels, tissues, or wet wipes are non-biodegradable (that is, won’t break down) and can, later on, lead to the blockage of your toilet. Most importantly, in our discussion today is Toilet Clogged With Paper Towels?
What’s more?
The fact that your paper towel is made to absorb moisture just like tissues and, unlike toilet paper, does not denote that you will have a clog-free toilet.
Not being a victim of dealing with clogged toilets is lucky of you because dealing with an annoyingly bad smell.
The nasty mess on all of your toilet floors will completely cost you a high bill for repairs from your local plumber as you are about to get it unclogged.
Paper Towels should at least be thrown in the garbage if at all it’s available for your use since “toilet paper” appears to be short in supply. So, going for alternatives like paper towels is definitely what you might consider doing to get you through until the return of normality to supermarket shelves.
However, did you know that? These paper towels that you use or consider using will leave you at the risk of blocking your toilet as you flush them down, which is why you ought to throw them in the garbage right after use.
With your toilet being clogged with paper towels, what must you do? How do you unblock the already blocked toilet?
These are the questions you might be asking yourself! This is when the use of a “plunger” comes in.
In situations where your plunger doesn’t work, then you would need a “plumber.” Contact your real estate agent if you are renting.
Can You Flush Paper Towels?
With toilet paper short in supply due to the invasion of COVID-19, paper towels and other similar items such as baby wipes and tissues have become an alternative for many people.
However, the problem lies in whether to flush them or not down the toilet after use, which has led to the question: Can you flush paper towels?
Just as with toilet paper that you can easily flush down the drain without any worries, you might be thinking that the same thing goes for paper towels, and then the thought of flushing it down there becomes tempting.
However, you should always be eco-friendly by not flushing just anything down the toilet to prevent any form of environmental hazards.
More reason why paper towels become hard to get completely flushed down is because of their cellulose. Paper is produced from cellulose, and water molecules easily bind to this cellulose. Cellulose fibers are responsible for paper towel absorbent power by creating tiny air bubbles between them and empty spaces.
The only thing that can be easily flushed down the drain is your feces and toilet paper, and it should also be noted not to flush any other sanitary materials down the drain at any time.
Now, imagine the type of embarrassment you might be faced with when you have your plumber discover the cause of the toilet clog.
So, the short answer to the question “Can you flush paper towels?” It is simply “NO!”
Toilet clogged with paper towels
Is your toilet clogged with paper towels? Are you the type that tosses your hygiene products like paper towels into your toilet? Are you looking for ways to unclog your toilet?
Toilet getting clogged with paper towels is usually a normal reflex, just as tissue papers are being disposed of into the toilet to get flushed.
However, flushing it away becomes difficult when it comes to paper towels because this hygiene product is very resistant to liquid and tough. After all, it won’t break down easily.
A proper means of avoiding your toilet getting clogged by paper towels is by disposing of them in a plastic bag and then into hit trash. What’s more? To prevent clogs in sewer pipes, you should dispose of paper towels in a dumpster.
Keep on reading to know more about paper towel disposal and dissolver and how to get rid of them environmentally friendly. In this article, we will be bringing to your doorstep every information needed to get rid of toilet clogging.
Toilet Seat Turned Yellow After Bleaching
What will dissolve paper towels in pipes?
There are various chemicals and available kitchen materials that can help dissolve toilet paper in pipes with ease. We have Epsom salt, baking soda, vinegar, dish soap, or RID-X.
Equipment for removing clogging materials, such as plungers or toilet snakes, can also be used to unclog your pipes.
How long do paper towels take to dissolve?
It will only take up to eight days or less than a week for paper towels to dissolve, and this is a long wait because a lot of damage would have been done before the completion of those eight days.
Many annoying things are bound to happen to your toilet during those times, one of which is the sluggish flushing of your toilet. This will cause the release of an awful stench, which is not good for your health.
Does aspirin dissolve toilet paper?
Yes!
Aspirin dissolves toilet paper easily, even with just a tablet, just by putting it in the tank. It usually takes minutes to dissolve toilet paper that has clogged your toilet completely.
What chemical will dissolve toilet paper?
One of the most effective and efficient chemical products that can dissolve toilet paper is RID-X or the likes of hydrochloric acid. It works with ease, just like other commercial products.
But, in addition, it is not a very simple process because you have to activate the flush system, after which you must have poured it into the toilet bowl. Then, wait for its action in minutes.
Does Vinegar dissolve toilet paper?
Yes! It does. Toilet paper getting flushed into the toilet has led to toilet clogging in many homes. However, it is not the end for such a toilet because you can make use of just a measured amount of Vinegar to work the magic of unclogging your toilet.
Will Ridex dissolve paper towels?
Due to its design properties, RID-X has been confirmed to be capable of dissolving paper towels responsible for clogging your septic tank.
Steps on how to dissolve toilet paper clog using baking soda and Vinegar
Both vinegar and baking soda are household supplies usually found in the kitchen in many homes—most times in pantries.
However, if your home lacks any of these, you can easily purchase them at a grocery store nearby at an affordable price.
The steps involved in unclogging your toilet with baking soda and vinegar are:
- Please make use of half a bowl of water so that there would not be eruptions between the Vinegar and baking soda by the time they react. This as well would save your bathroom from any form of mess.
- Pour 1 cup of baking soda and a ½ cup of Vinegar into the
toilet bowl. - Allow it to sit for about 15 minutes, after which you will observe some fizzling, denoting that a reaction has already taken place. By this time, the toilet paper has already begun to dissolve.
- Wait until after 15 minutes, then flush the toilet.
Note: If you do not observe any changes after doing this, make an additional tablespoon of vinegar together with baking soda, then wait another 10 minutes before you finally flush the toilet.
However, if the case gets worse, make sure to do well to seek the help of a professional plumber.
Read Also:
What is the safest drain cleaner to use for unclogging your toilet?
Due to the different types of brands of drain cleaners in the market, one needs to be very careful when on the verge of purchasing one.
The safest one to use is called the Green Gobbler Main Drain Opener, which is very effective in liquefying any or all types of clogs, including oil, soap, grease, scum, hair, baby wipes, and even paper.
It is also environmentally friendly and can be tough on clogs and gentle on septic systems or pipes. It is safe to use in tub drains, kitchens, and showers.
How Long Does It Take For Paper Towels To Dissolve In Toilet
Paper towels take up to a week before they dissolve in water. Unlike toilet paper which could take just one to four minutes, it’s perfectly flushed with no issue.
Other sanitary materials, like tissue papers, go for as long as a whole month or six weeks to completely dissolve in water.
Just because your paper towels still manageably take up to a week or eight days should not push you to the act of using them to flush your toilet or because you feel it does not take as long as tissue paper.
If you decide to use your paper towel down the drain, then prepare to be ready for the plumbing disasters that it’s going to cause.
Will Bleach Dissolve Paper Towels?
Have a hard time dissolving your paper towels? Do you want to try bleach? Well, this is a nice try because bleach is known to soften your paper towels and promote the easy breakdown of your already entangled paper toilet when flushed down the toilet.
This household hack appears to be a success, and it is a do-it-yourself method of dealing with your clogged toilet. So, yes, with the appropriate steps being taken, your bleach can dissolve paper towels as well as soften them.
Normally, bleach is usually used for sanitizing and deodorizing your toilets. This is done by measuring about 2/4 cups of bleach into your toilet, followed by a continual flush with hot water. However, more effort is needed to go far in dissolving the paper towel completely.
How To Use Bleach To Unclog Your Toilet
For a severely blocked toilet that is clogged with paper towels, what is needed to aid the easy breakdown of the sanitary materials that have led to the clogging is a household cleaning liquid called “bleach.”
Below are the do-it-yourself steps to follow:
Go to any nearby store and purchase a very effective bleach, that is, if you do not have it before, and then measure between 2 to 3 cups that you will have to pour inside your toilet bowl.
After this is done, wait for about ten (10) to fifteen (15) minutes. By this time, the bleach begins its action of entangling paper towels by eating into them.
Within this period, there will be an easy breakdown of the paper towels.
After which, you can now flush the toilet using hot water.
Note: when using bleach, make sure it is an appropriate measurement; if not, an inappropriate measure could cause the total extermination of bacteria in your septic system.
In addition to this, bleach can create havoc; hence you’ve got to be careful when handling it. They can also cause fumes that are very hazardous in combination with ammonia.
Importance Of Bacteria In Toilet Bowl?
Bacteria helps in the breakdown of waste in your septic system. It will be very wrong of you to see the complete extermination of these bacteria during the process of taking care of your toilet bowl because of its economic importance, as mentioned earlier.
What To Do If You Flush Paper Towels
Unfortunately, in a situation where you already flushed your toilet with paper towels, and there is clogging already, there are still things that you can do; a way out to unclog your toilet.
Take these few steps listed below for unclogging your clogged toilet after flushing paper towels:
1. The use of a plunger
This should be the first thing first. A plunger is used for unclogging toilets. To use it, you have to push and pull air through the pipe and create pressure.
2. Make use of a drain cleaning kit
Aside from being used for a toilet clogged with paper towels. They can also be used for many other clogs.
3. Use an Auger
After using a plunger and you are not getting enough results, maybe because the clog is being too persistent, then that is when the use of a drill comes in.
It serves as a potent tool and goes a long way when in use. However, it is more expensive than a plunger but worth the amount.
4. Use a drill
Use your hand to take one end of it and then push it down the toilet. Crack the opposite end of the drill with another hand.
5. Call a plumber
Should those methods fail to work, you have no choice but to call the assistance of a professional plumber. With all the necessary tools needed, they will get rid of the hard-to-go clogs.
However, bear in mind that this would require a high cost, so you should not risk flushing with paper towels.
How To Get Paper Towels Out Of Toilet
To remove paper towels from your toilet so that you can stop clogging, use a toilet auger.
A toilet auger is usually a hand-held snake structure, so it is very easy for it to reach through the curved depth of the toilet. It has a plastic bowl sleeve attached to it, which allows it not to contact the toilet bowl to avoid ceramic scratching.
Thinking of recycling your paper towels?
This is not worth trying; rather, using your paper towels in your back garden is worth a trial. How do you do so? Use them as mulch and by making compost out of them.
Paper towels do contain fibres, so you should not recycle them because whenever you try doing so, it will shorten the fibre. This leaves the best method of disposal – by trashing your paper towels immediately after use into a garbage can.
Toilet Paper Scarcity?
When is the toilet paper shortage bound to end? Will COVID-19 be a complete inhibition to the production of more toilet paper? This does not make the production of toilet paper end but continues as normal rather short in supply. This is what led to its scarcity.
Due to the higher purchase of many consumers, toilet paper then becomes scarce on supermarket shelves.
However, the good news is that they are being restocked. And the only best thing that you can do as a community-minded person. is to make sure that you do not get excess. Rather than a proper amount that’s enough to go around.
To extend more meaning to this, you can also give it out to neighbors who are in short supply of it. Because you feel that you are already well-stocked. Together, we can all go through this.
Outcome Of Flushing With Paper Towels?
This non-biodegradable material is not friendly-flush for toilets. And unlike toilet paper, they are non-going dissolve or fall apart in the water easily. The longer they stay in your toilet, the bigger they become.
On flushing them at first, they will go down the drain quickly but get stuck with their surface becoming bigger the more they stay longer. This makes you have a clog to deal with, a very bad one. They are leaving to pay for the high cost of plumbing bills.
Can I use Paper Towel In My Kitchen?
Paper Towels seem to be considered for use in the toilet just because of one aspect. Being able to absorb liquid very well. This is actually because it’s how they are made.
With your paper towels being used in your kitchen. You will be left with the advantage of having a neat kitchen. By that time you must’ve used it to clean up spills or stains.
Dispose of paper towels in trash cans after cleanup. From there, it might end up in landfills where it later disintegrates.
FAQs on Toilet Clogged with Paper Towels
Q: Can paper towels be safely flushed down the toilet?
A: No, paper towels are not designed to break down as quickly as toilet paper. Flushing them can lead to clogs in pipes and the toilet.
Q: What should I do if I accidentally flush paper towels down the toilet?
A: Act quickly. Use a plunger to attempt to unclog the toilet. If the clog persists, avoid flushing and consider using a plumbing snake or seeking professional help.
Q: Can a toilet clogged with paper towels fix itself over time?
A: In most cases, paper towels do not dissolve quickly like toilet paper. The clog is unlikely to resolve itself, and prompt action is recommended.
Q: Are chemical drain cleaners safe for unclogging a toilet with paper towels?
A: It’s generally not recommended. Chemical cleaners may not effectively break down paper towels and can be harsh on plumbing. Mechanical methods like plunging or snaking are safer.
Q: How can I use a plunger to unclog a toilet with paper towels?
A: Ensure a tight seal around the drain, push down and pull up vigorously. Repeat several times. If successful, flush the toilet with water to ensure the clog is fully cleared.
Q: When should I consider using a plumbing snake for a clogged toilet?
A: If plunging doesn’t work, a plumbing snake (auger) can be used to physically remove the paper towels causing the clog. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper use.
Q: What if the clog persists after using a plunger and a plumbing snake?
A: If home methods fail, it’s time to consult a professional plumber. Persistent clogs may require advanced techniques or tools to clear.
Q: Can flushing excessive toilet paper cause clogs similar to paper towels?
A: Yes, flushing an excessive amount of toilet paper can lead to clogs. It’s advisable to use a reasonable amount and flush multiple times if necessary.
Q: Are there preventive measures to avoid toilet clogs from paper towels?
A: Yes, avoid flushing paper towels down the toilet. Dispose of them in a trash bin to prevent clogs. Educate household members on proper toilet use.
Q: Can a toilet clogged with paper towels cause damage to the plumbing system?
A: Yes, persistent clogs can lead to increased pressure, potentially causing damage to pipes and the overall plumbing system. Timely unclogging is crucial.
Dealing with a toilet clogged with paper towels requires prompt action and appropriate methods.
Conclusion
Remember not to flush your paper towels after use; rather, dispose of them in a garbage can. Whenever there is a need for a plumber, do not hesitate to call the assistant.
Having a clogged toilet usually comes with many methods until you reach your last resort. However, if you have yet to learn about some household supplies like Vinegar and baking soda. You have been wasting your time.
By following the instructions given in this article, you will be able to unclog your toilet. And bear in mind that all hope is not lost if it does not work for your toilet. Just seek the assistance of a professional plumber to help you with clearing those pipes or toilets without much trouble.