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How To Dissolve Toilet paper In A Septic Tank?
If you have a septic tank in your home, you may be concerned about flushing toilet paper down the drain. You may be thinking, “What effect it has on the septic tank health and what can I do about it?” If so, you’re at the right place. We will tell you all that you need to about bathroom tissue and septic tanks.
So, how to dissolve toilet paper in a septic tank? Toilet paper is specifically manufactured to dissolve in water, so there’s nothing special you need to do per se. However, some toilet paper dissolves faster than others. A simple toilet paper test can show what kind of toilet paper you are using.
Continue reading to find out how to test your toilet paper for dissolvability. We will also learn why it is necessary that your toilet dissolve well in water and what kinds of toilet papers are best for a septic tank.
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How to Check Your Toilet Paper for dissolvability?
There are many different types of toilet papers — but not all toilet papers are created equal. Some dissolve in water faster and more completely than others and, as such, are more suitable for your septic tank.
This DIY toilet paper test is ultra easy and allows you to see what happens when you flush down your favorite tissue without having to open the septic tank lid.
- Take four sheets of your toilet paper and place them in a jar or a Tupperware container
- Add two cups of water and wait 20 minutes
- Stir the jar or Tupperware container for roughly ten seconds. Now let its content settle down
Did your toilet paper dissolve? If yes, congratulations — your tissue is septic friendly!
If it didn’t, perhaps it’s about time you dump it in favor of a toilet paper that break down quickly.
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Why it is Important Your Toilet Paper Dissolve Efficiently?
Everybody knows how unhealthy WD-40 is for septic tanks, but not everybody knows certain bathroom tissues can also be bad for your wastewater treatment. Because only wastewater leaves your tank while solid waste and undissolved toilet paper remain inside, it’s necessary you pump out the tank every three to five years.
Since some toilet papers dissolve slowly and not as completely as others, your choice of toilet paper may impact how often you’ll have to pump your septic system.
Also, a toilet paper that doesn’t dissolve quickly may cause plumbing issues. It may sit in a clump in the plumbing — and that’s where the danger lies.
In case the tissue gets caught in something such as a corner in the pipe or a jagged edge, it can stay there for a very long time and more and more tissue will caught on it. Eventually, a big lump of undissolved tissue will form in the pipe and clog it. And one fine day when you flush the toilet, the water in the bowl — much to your horror — will start moving up instead of down!
Don’t want this to ever happen to you? Then use the simple DIY toilet paper test we showed above to make sure your toilet paper is of the kind that dissolves fast and completely in water.
And also never, we repeat never, flush tampons, facial tissue, and paper towels down the toilet. They can clog your pipes and are definitelybad for your septic tank. Unlike your standard toilet paper, these items do not break apart and deteriorate in water — need we say more?
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What Types of Toilet Paper are Most Septic Tank Friendly?
It stands to reason that the thicker the toilet paper, the more time it will take to dissolve. However, that doesn’t mean thin toilet papers, which usually don’t hold up well when used, are the answer.
If the toilet paper isn’t strong enough, you’ll have to use more of it. And that’s counterintuitive to the idea of it disintegrating quickly when flushed because more tissue will just take more time to dissolve.
For this reason, if you’re not happy with the tissue you currently use, consider using one that’s of medium thickness. As an alternative, the following three types of toilet papers are also worth a try.
- Disintegrating Toilet Paper
Some types of bathroom tissues just disintegrate upon contact with water. Once you toss them in the toilet bowl, they are gone in a few seconds. Consider using these types of toilet papers if you are worried about your septic tank health.
- Biodegradable Paper
Biodegradable toilet papers are also good for your septic system since they are designed to break down fast when submerged in water. These toilet papers have loser bonds and don’t contain non-dissolvable fibers.
As a result, they disintegrate quickly and completely upon contact with water. Bringing this type of toilet paper home will give you nothing to worry about as far as your septic system is concerned.
- Recycled Toilet Paper
A 100% recycled bathroom tissue is another great option. Unlike the normal tissue paper that’s made up of long fibers, a recycled paper has short fibers that easily disintegrate into tiny pieces when exposed to water. The tinier the pieces, the less chance of their getting caught on the corners or rough spots in the plumbing.
Some people, however, are wary about using recycled paper on account of it having BPA — but this concern is unfounded. While it’s true recycled tissue has BPA, its amount is very minimal. You can use it without any worry or concern.
In case you are still skeptical or concerned that the toilet paper may hurt your septic system, here are a few additional steps you can take:
- Throw Away the Toilet Paper
There’s no law that dictates you have to flush the bathroom tissue. You can purchase a dedicated trash bin — those with a cover specifically designed for toilet tissue — and throw all the tissue in it.
- Use Tissue Judiciously
Instead of tearing a big ball of bathroom tissue every time you use the bathroom, use just a few sheets of paper. That way you will be able to prevent sending large chunks of tissue down the drain at once.
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Related Questions to How to Dissolve Toilet Paper in Septic Tank
Does Vinegar Dissolve Poop?
Vinegar, just like baking soda, is a very good cleaning agent. If you are dealing with a clogged toilet, dump these two. There’s a good chance they will break up the clog without you having to do a thing.
Will Bleach in the Toilet Dissolve Toilet Paper?
Yes, it may. However, too much bleach is not good for your septic system. So, avoid using it to dissolve tissue. Instead, use one that breaks down in water quickly and completely on its own, like biodegradable bathroom tissue.
Does Ridex Dissolve Toilet Paper?
Yes, it does. Ridex contains cellulase that breaks down toilet paper, certain food, and vegetable matter.
Have more septic tank related questions? Don’t worry, if you have a question about the septic tank, there’s a good chance we’ve got you covered. Check out our Septic Wiki page, which covers a wide range of septic tank topics.
And if your tank needs a cleaning, our state directory can help you find a suitable professional.
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References:
https://info.kensplumbing.net/blog/does-my-toilet-paper-actually-dissolve-once-i-flush
https://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/the-only-toilet-paper-you-ever-should-buy/
