Everyone has used a paper towel to clean up a mess, and it seems easy to flush it down the toilet. It is only paper, after all. But what happens after the flush? The truth might surprise you.
Major plumbing issues can result from flushing paper towels down the toilet; some of these can be expensive and demanding to repair. A blocked toilet in the middle of a hectic day or a drainage problem upsetting your regular routine is the last thing you want in Melbourne. Hence, let’s investigate more deeply why paper towels and toilets shouldn’t mix before you think it’s innocent.
What’s the Problem with Flushing Paper Towels?
All of it begins with the making technique of paper towels. While toilet paper is meant to break down rapidly when wet, paper towels are made to be more robust and absorbent. Consequently, when you flush them, they break down less readily than toilet paper does. Rather, they might block your pipes and keep their integrity.
Therefore, even if throwing that paper towel in the toilet may seem like a simple fix, it can cause some very major plumbing problems. Let’s explore more the particular issues that could arise from flushing paper towels.
Paper Towels Are Not Designed to Disintegrate Like Toilet Paper
Those that make toilet paper especially want fast dissolving in water. As it won’t build up in your pipes, it is consequently ideal for flushing. On the other hand, because they are thicker, stronger, and more lasting, paper towels let liquids be efficiently absorbed. This also implies, though, that they break down less readily than toilet paper does.
A paper towel flushed could create a clump that hooks on the pipe walls. Other trash can then be caught by this clump, building up over time. This can finally cause complex and costly obstructions that need to be fixed. Sometimes a plumber may have to physically clear the obstruction, which would cause expensive repair costs.
The Domino Effect: How Paper Towels Lead to Larger Plumbing Issues
Flushing many paper towels down the toilet can be a major issue even if one paper towel appears innocuous. If you have a septic system, the accumulation of paper towels in your plumbing system might cause blockages in toilets and drains, therefore compromising your system.
Many Melbourne homes have regular plumbing clogs, particularly in older infrastructure-based neighbourhoods. This emphasises even more the need for awareness of what you flush. For instance, if you have blocked drains in Keilor or neighbouring areas, a little problem like flushing paper towels might become a lot more major, requiring significant repairs.
Common Issues Caused by Flushing Paper Towels
A blocked toilet is one of the most instant results of flushing paper towels. If the towels fail to break down, they may become caught in the little pipes, therefore causing a clog. This might cause delayed drainage or, worse, a total blockage, which would need you to schedule a plumber to clean the pipes.
If paper towels block your plumbing, you may be considering costly repairs. Sometimes a plumber may have to clean the pipes using high-powered equipment, which might result in a significant expense. If the blockage is serious, you might have to replace certain plumbing system components.
More major obstructions might cause backups in your sewer system, causing sewage to run back into your house. Apart from a health risk, fixing this is rather expensive. The more harm a problem does to your property the more likely it is to linger.
Flushing paper towels can unnecessarily tax a septic system for those who have one. Not thinner, more absorbent materials like paper towels, septic tanks are designed to handle human waste and toilet paper. Septic system breakdowns and expensive repairs might follow from this.
Is There Ever a Time You Should Flush Paper Towels?
While most people agree to avoid flushing paper towels down the toilet, there are rare occasions when it is reasonable—under quite exact criteria. There could be less likelihood of a clog if your plumbing system is really upscale and features very huge pipes meant to handle items like paper towels. This is an exception, though, not the rule.
It’s always best to throw paper towels in the garbage even if you have first-rate plumbing. The little hassle of discarding a used paper towel may help you avoid the far more expensive and headache-inducing trouble with a blocked toilet or drain.
If you have already had difficulties with toilets or blocked drains, you understand the degree of annoyance plumbing problems may bring about. Being careful and correctly throwing away paper towels always helps.
What to Do If You’ve Already Flushed Paper Towels
You should act fast if you mistakenly flush a paper towel down the toilet and find that your plumbing isn’t operating as it ought. Clearing the obstruction will be more difficult the longer a paper towel lingers in your pipes. You might follow these guidelines:
Use a Plunger
Small blockages from your toilet can be expelled with a plunger. Use a flange plunger designed exclusively for toilets to get the best results; these include Just dip down to get a strong seal around the drain; then, try to remove the clog.
Try a Plumbing Snake
A plumbing snake is an excellent choice should the plunger fail. Inserting this long, flexible coil into the toilet allows one to break apart or pull out the clog. For more severe obstructions, this is a better fix.
Call a Professional
If your attempts to fix the blockage fail, it’s time to call a plumber. They have the tools and expertise to deal with stubborn blockages and can even perform a camera inspection to check the condition of your pipes. For example, if you have a blocked toilet in Caroline Springs home, it would be advisable to have a professional plumber evaluate the matter before it becomes worse.
Related: Detecting and Fixing Blocked Drains
How to Avoid Future Plumbing Problems
Mindfulness of what you flush down the toilet will help you avoid future plumbing issues. Here are some tips to help keep your drains and toilets free from clogs:
Only Flush Toilet Paper
Use only flushing toilet paper; never throw paper towels, napkins, tissues, or wipes in the toilet. Though they seem to break down in the water, these things should always be tossed in the garbage.
Install a Trash Can in Your Bathroom
Install a little garbage bin in your bathroom to prevent flushing paper towels. This makes it simple to get rid of non-flushable products like paper towels, without running the danger of upsetting your plumbing system.
Use Biodegradable Paper Towels
If you worry about how paper towels affect the environment, consider going to biodegradable or compostable substitutes. Although they won’t break down in your plumbing system, when disposed of correctly, these are far better for the environment.
Regular Plumbing Inspections
Maintaining the condition of your system depends on regular plumbing inspections. If you reside in Melbourne, regular checkups can help avoid severe difficulties like blocked drains in Yarraville or other hidden plumbing problems. An early issue may be found by a licenced plumber, who also helps you prevent future expensive repairs.
Conclusion
Although flushing paper towels down your toilet seems like a benign deed, it may cause a slew of annoying and expensive plumbing problems. From blocked toilets and drains to major septic system damage, the effects can be catastrophic. You may avoid these problems and keep your plumbing system functioning without them by being aware of what you flush and correctly disposing of paper towels.
Remember, think twice before flushing the next time you grab for a paper towel. Your pipes will be grateful!
If you’re dealing with any blocked drains or plumbing problems in Melbourne, just call VCM Plumbing- your qualified plumber for aid. They can aid you in removing the obstruction and guarantee that your plumbing system remains in perfect running order.