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As a home owner with a septic system, it is very essential that you know the safe and unsafe toilet paper to use. The knowledge you acquire from this will save you from expending considerable amounts on frequent plumbing services because using the wrong ones will lead to constant clogging and eventual damage.
Yes, the wrong toilet paper can pile up, clog your toilet and cause avoidable damage to your septic system.
We made this discovery easier by going ahead to create a comprehensive study, revealing the worst toilet papers for septic tanks, and can assure you that you will find the results extremely helpful.
Let’s quickly dive right into it!
Worst Toilet Papers For Septic Tanks
This will enable you to know the exact types of toilet paper to avoid, the ones that will be beneficial to you, and your pocket will thank you for it.
1. Quilted Toilet Paper
The problem with quilted toilet paper is that they do not quickly disintegrate. Instead, they expand.
Why is this a problem?
Toilet paper expanding in the septic tank poses a severe problem as its inability to disintegrate causes them to clog the tanks, thereby leading to some very urgent plumbing intervention.
Thankfully, you can quickly identify quilted toilet paper types by the bold inscription “quilted” on them. Quilted or ultra-soft toilet papers are usually too thick, which explains why they swell instead of breaking down.
2. Scented Toilet Paper
We acknowledge the many fancy features scented toilet papers come with, but the fact remains that they are not for you if you have a septic system in your home. Some of these features include certain oils, bleaching, and softening properties that they are produced with.
While they may look quite enticing due to the built-in features and feel very comfortable to use, you should know that the downsides to using them far outweigh whatever comfort you experience.
The different chemicals used in producing these scented toilet papers are not, in the least, compatible with septic systems. To avoid a disruption in the proper functioning of your septic systems, keep away from using this toilet paper.
3. Flushable Wipes
Ideally, these are not even classified as toilet papers, but we still see a lot of people using them because they are, well, flushable.
Even though flushable, they hardly ever break down, thereby leading to clogs in the drainpipe, the septic tank, or right there in your toilet.
Asides from that, their continuous expansion in the septic tank will negatively affect the bacteria’s within it, responsible for the quick decomposition of waste.
4. Colored Toilet Paper
Forget about how attractive these toilet papers are and focus instead on the potential damage they will cause to your septic system.
The dyeing process of this toilet paper involves the use of unsuitable chemicals for your septic tanks. They directly affect the bacteria in your septic tank and render them ineffective.
5. Thick Toilet Papers
The logic to this is pretty simple; the thicker the ply is, the more resistance it puts up in degrading. This happens due to the properties used to make them appear wide.
For instance, the glue used in holding the layers in place alongside other chemicals makes them extremely difficult to decompose.
The same logic applies to soft toilet papers. Confusing right?
Actually, the chemicals equally used in making these toilet papers ultra soft are still unfavorable for your septic tanks. They make them overly challenging to break down. Constant use of this toilet paper will lead to— damage to your septic system.
6. Triple-Ply Toilet Paper
This might come last on our list, but it is the most problematic toilet paper homeowners with septic systems must avoid.
The scary thing about this toilet paper that rightly makes them earn this title is that they hardly ever disintegrate no matter how long they stay in the water. They only get soaked but still maintain their thickness and form almost a hundred percent. The result is the fast clogging of your toilet.
To this end, triple-ply or toilet paper with the description “ultra plush” must be avoided by all homeowners with septic systems.
Having highlighted unsafe toilet papers for septic systems, it is only fitting that we equally point you in the direction of the toilet papers considered safe for use.
The yardstick in arriving at this conclusion is that these toilet papers have undergone specific tests by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), proving them to be okay for septic systems.
The certification by the appropriate body, NSF, indicates that unlike the ones outlined above, these will have no issues dissolving fast as soon as it comes in contact with water.
Let’s check out examples of these toilet papers below.
Toilet Papers That Are Septic Safe
1. Recycled Toilet Papers
Recycled toilet paper is highly recommended as they are without all the features that threaten the smooth functioning of your septic systems.
They break down super fast and are not produced with bleach or other incompatible chemicals that cause issues in septic systems. An additional plus is that they are pretty famous and can be readily found for purchase.
The problem with toilet paper produced with strong chemicals is that they adversely affect the highly important microbiomes in your septic systems, rendering them useless.
2. Biodegradable Toilet Papers
Biodegradable toilet paper is produced without non-dissolvable fibers and very loose bonds. The result of this combination is a toilet paper that breaks down in the water with absolutely nothing hindering the fast pace at which they do.
It comes highly recommended as they are designed without properties capable of destroying your septic system.
Furthermore, they have a multipurpose function and can also be used in marine sanitation systems.
3. Bamboo Toilet Papers
They share similar characteristics with recycled toilet paper in that they are very eco-friendly. Bamboo Toilet Paper is not exactly cheap, but at least you can be sure that they are safe for use.
Finally, to be on the safe side, you can seek recommendations for brands of secure toilet papers from your septic system contractors directly. They are very knowledgeable about the correct type of toilet paper to use in the septic systems they built.
You can equally browse through different toilet papers in stores, reading the product description to know the right one to buy.
Key factors to look out for are fast degrading properties and the absence of harsh chemicals in their production.
Conclusion
Toilet papers might look the same, but they certainly aren’t. They feel different simply because each one is produced with diverse materials making them either come out as thick or light. Seemingly insignificant factors like this contribute significantly to what constitutes safe or unsafe toilet paper for use by those with septic tanks.
The durability of your septic tank is dependent mainly on the type of toilet paper you use. The use of safe toilet paper will see you saving money on plumbing repairs due to frequent damage to it.
This article gives you a clear insight into the types of toilet paper you should avoid and the key factors you should look out for when shopping for the right toilet paper.
We know how expensive fixing or, worse still, replacing a septic tank can be, and we are sure you do not want to be saddled with this avoidable responsibility.