A toilet clogging is one of the most common residential plumbing problems in the US. From a simple clog to a complete pipe failure, there are many things that can go wrong with your toilet. The delicate balance of chemicals in your toilet, combined with other factors such as stagnant water, can cause your toilet to back up and overflow the bowl.
If it isn’t fixed right away you may have excessive water damage or even be faced with a sewage issue until the issue has been addressed by professionals. In this article, we are going to look closely at whether or not can toilet paper clog or a toilet.
Can toilet paper clog a toilet?
In short, yes, using too much toilet paper can clog your toilet. The first thing people usually do is to flush the toilet and when they do, lots of toilet paper can build up in the water lines inside the toilet and this eventually causes a clog. But that is not the only way to clog your toilet.
You’ve probably been told over the years that it is safe to flush large amounts of non-disposable toilet paper down your toilet but is this true? It depends upon a number of factors ranging from how often you use your toilet, what brand of toilet paper you use and even how well your pipes are maintained.
This is usually caused by thick toilet paper failing to dissolve as quickly which then causes a blockage in the waterline. This can be avoided by using a smaller piece of toilet paper so that it dissolves faster.
What are the other main causes of a toilet clog
Excess waste:
If you are flushing a lot at once, the clog is more likely to happen. If you tend to flush a lot more than once and then leave the toilet lid up while the toilet is flushed, your toilet may not be able to handle all of the waste. The harder it has to work, the faster it will stop working.
Foreign Objects:
You should never flush anything but toilet paper and human waste. Flushing other items is a big no-no. Non-flushable items such as diapers, sanitary pads, cotton swabs and even hair can cause major clogs. This is because they are not designed to break down in water like toilet paper is. They cause the toilet to become clogged and that can easily back up water in your home’s drains.
Hard Water:
Hard water is not usually the problem. However, the minerals in hard water can build up on the sides of a toilet and clog it. The minerals can build up and create a huge blockage that can take a lot of time to fix. If you start to notice this problem in your toilet, stop using it immediately and contact your plumber.
Will a toilet paper clog eventually dissolve?
Yes, the toilet paper will eventually dissolve on its own but it can take some time. Slow dissolution of toilet paper is often caused by lumps and bumps in your pipes. If these are not removed quickly enough, they can cause a clog while they are being washed away by the water in your toilet. If you have been having recurring problems with your toilet not flushing or it is constantly clogged, contact Plumbing services for help.
How long does it take for toilet paper to dissolve in a clogged toilet?
The amount of toilet paper that it takes to clog a toilet is highly variable, depending largely on the quality of toilet paper and the amount used during each flush. When toilet paper does clog a toilet, it will not dissolve on its own.
Although some toilet paper brands are engineered to dissolve faster than others, any brand can quickly dissolve if you use less of it at each flush and make sure there are no lumps or bumps in your pipes that can interfere with the water flow. Usually, it can take up to 3 hours for toilet paper to dissolve in a clogged toilet.
Final Thoughts
In short, you should know that yes, toilet paper can clog a toilet. Whether or not you put it in there or not, toilet paper will eventually clog your toilet if you use too much of it with each flush. If you continue to use more than one sheet of toilet paper per flush, eventually your toilet will become blocked.
Arthur C. Jackson is the resident handyman and toilet expert for BestToiletGuides.com. Drawing from his experience, he tends to focus on how he can help the consumer.
