Toilet paper is usually made in such a way that it dissolves in water on its own.
However, sometimes it might not obey the manufacturer’s will and ends up clogging your toilet drain, creating a mini-flood.
Luckily, you can employ a number of tricks to dissolve the toilet paper in the sewer line and get everything back to normal.
This article discusses how to dissolve toilet paper in a sewer line using the simplest and most effective methods. Keep reading for more information.
Why Does Toilet Paper Form Clogs in The Sewer?
Toilet paper is a necessary part of our daily lives, but it can also be the cause of clogs in your sewer. Clogged toilets are one of the most common plumbing problems people face, and they’re often caused by too much toilet paper being flushed down the drain. So why does this happen?
First off, it’s important to understand that toilet paper is designed to break down quickly when exposed to water. This means that if you flush small amounts at a time, it should dissolve without causing any issues with your pipes or sewers. However, when large amounts are used or flushed all at once – such as an entire roll – then these larger chunks don’t have enough time to fully break apart before reaching further into your plumbing system where they can get stuck and create blockages.
Additionally, some types of toilet papers contain more “bulkier” fibers which do not dissolve as easily in water compared with other brands on the market today – making them even more likely candidates for creating clogs over time if used excessively within a single flush session!
Ultimately though regardless what type TP you use – remember less is always better when flushing so try not go overboard everytime you hit up bathroom duty! With proper care and maintenance habits like these will help ensure that nasty little clog-ups won’t be something worry about anytime soon…
Below are the main reasons why toilet paper may cause sewer line clogs.
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1. Flushing Down too Much Toilet Paper
Flushing down excess toilet paper at once can make it stretch and twist on its way down the drainpipe. It may end up curling into a ball, which then forms into a clog by accumulating over time. To avoid this, you should only flush small amounts of toilet paper.
2. The Sewer Was Already Partially Clogged
When toilet paper combines with an existing partial clog, it causes bigger problems to your toilet system. It can slow down the flow of water and waste. Therefore, you should never flush anything else other than feces, urine, and toilet paper.
4 Tips on How to Dissolve Toilet Paper in a Sewer Line
Toilet paper is highly likely to clog your sewerage system when used in excess. Clogs prevent water from flowing normally, causing reflux in the toilet or a burst in the sewer lines.
Here are proven methods of dissolving toilet paper in a sewer line.
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1. Dissolve Tissue Paper with Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is common in many homes and is used to soften bath water or as a toilet cleaner ingredient. However, most people don’t know that Epsom salt works great at breaking down toilet paper–helping you dissolve the papers in the toilet.
To dissolve stubborn toilet paper, pour one cup of Epsom salt into the toilet bowl. Next, add a bucket of hot water into the toilet bowl. But avoid pouring boiling water since it can cause damage to the porcelain bowl. Let the salt sink into the sewerage drain until it reaches the clog.
After 30 minutes, pour another cup of Epsom salt followed by hot water. Wait for a while and flush the toilet to get rid of all the dissolved items down the sewer line.
TIPS: This process could result in some minimal overflowing. If your toilet bowl is more than half full, you may want to increase the wait time for the Epsom salt to drill through the clogged pipes.
2. Remove Clogs Using Dish Soap
Did you know that you can dissolve toilet clog using dish soap? The dish soap prevents clogs such as toilet paper from sticking on the walls of the drainpipe. Thus, the waste moves along the drainpipes until it reaches its destination.
Before using dish soap, we advise you to get rid of all the water in the toilet bowl. You can scoop it out using a sponge and a small bucket. Once it’s completely dry, pour a generous amount of dish soap liquid around the rims of the bowl.
Once the soap has settled down, wash it down with a bucket of hot water. Now flush the toilet to push dish soap further down the drainpipe.
When the cleaning agent reaches the clog, it will push down the toilet paper blocking the sewer line. The clog will turn slippery and smoothly slide down the drainpipe to its destination.
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3. Using Chemical Additives
You can also use commercial chemicals to break down toilet paper. One of the most effective is RID-X. It can dissolve toilet paper, waste, and grease, unclogging septic systems and sewer lines. You can also use aspirin to dissolve toilet paper.
With RID-X or aspirin, all you have to do is pour it into the toilet bowl and flush it. Since the process involves chemicals reacting with the tissue paper material, they take a short time to unclog your toilet.
To be sure that the clog is gone forever, add another round of aspirin or RID-X. These chemicals are safe and won’t harm the sewerage system. Besides, this method works great for getting rid of the hardest clogs, including toilet paper.
4. Using a Toilet Plunger
To unclog a toilet paper blockage in your sewage pipes, a toilet plunger is a perfect tool for the job. Here’s how to use it:
- Ensure the plunger’s cup is fully submerged in water.
- Position the plunger over the drain hole and press down firmly.
- Rotate the plunger in both directions to loosen the blockage.
- Finally, pull up on the plunger to clear the drain.
By following these simple steps, you can quickly and easily dissolve the toilet paper blockage and restore the flow of water in your sewage pipes.
5. Flushing Down Vinegar and Baking Soda
Another highly effective method of cleaning toilet lines as well as shower drains is using a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. This is how you use these two common household items to dissolve the toilet paper clogging sewer line:
Measure 1/4-cup of vinegar and ¼-cup of baking soda and pour in one liter of water.
After stirring the mixture, pour it into the toilet bowl around the rim. Let it sink down the toilet for approx. 5 minutes. Flush the toilet and check if the clogging is gone.
If it doesn’t work, give it another try by mixing more vinegar and baking soda and pouring it into the bowl. Repeat the process until you get satisfactory results.
If done well, this should remove the small and large clogs from the sewer line. It will dissolve toilet clog caused by toilet paper and other organic materials.
6. Unclog Toilets with a Toilet Snake
If the above methods fail to clear the clog in your toilet, you can try using a toilet snake. This tool is a long, flexible wire that can be used to remove the blockage.
To use a toilet snake, insert the end of the wire into the drain hole of the toilet. Then, push the wire down the drain until you feel some resistance. Once you reach the obstruction, twist the wire to dislodge it. After that, pull the wire out of the drain and flush the toilet to remove any remaining debris.
Can Bleach Dissolve Toilet Paper Clogs?
Many people believe that using bleach is an effective way to get rid of toilet paper clogs, but this is actually a mistaken belief. The truth is that bleach can be incredibly harmful to pipes and can cause damage to pipelines.
Moreover, bleach does not dissolve toilet paper. Instead, it only breaks it down into smaller pieces, which can make the clog even worse.
For this reason, it’s best to avoid using bleach to get rid of toilet paper clogs. Instead, consider using one of the methods suggested above. With a little bit of patience and the right tools, you can easily eliminate the clog and get your sewage pipe flowing smoothly again.
Can Toilet Paper Dissolve Naturally?
We frequently receive this question, and the general response is that toilet paper does not typically dissolve on its own within a sewer pipeline.
That being said, certain types of toilet paper may have a higher propensity to break down in water than others.
One such example is recycled toilet paper, which often contains shorter fibers that are more susceptible to disintegration in water.
How Much Time Does It Take For Toilet Paper To Dissolve In A Sewage Pipe?
Under normal conditions, a blockage caused by toilet paper can dissolve within 20 minutes, allowing for regular flushing. However, excessive use of toilet paper may lead to difficulties in breaking it down, resulting in toilet clogs.
Over time, balled-up toilet paper may accumulate and form a cohesive lump, making it difficult to dissolve. In certain circumstances, it could take around 1 to 2 hours for the blockage to clear on its own.
FAQs
1. Can toilet paper clog a sewer line?
Yes, toilet paper can clog a sewer line by accumulating into a small ball that blocks the flow of waste and water.
2. How long does it take toilet paper to dissolve?
It takes a few minutes to dissolve toilet paper, even though that may vary depending on the method you choose.
3. What to do when toilet paper overflows?
When you notice toilet paper overflowing, the first thing you should do is dissolve it using one of the methods we have discussed above.
4. How do I unclog my pain sewer without a clean-out?
You can unclog your pain sewer without a clean-out using Epsom salt, dish soap, aspirin, or a mixture of vinegar and baking soda.
Final Thoughts
That’s it for our guide on how to dissolve toilet paper in a sewer line. It is normal for the toilet paper to sometimes become stubborn and fail to dissolve, creating a clog.
If you find toilet paper floating in your toilet bowl, use any of the methods we have discussed in this guide to dissolve and get your toilet drain back to flowing properly.
Whether you decide to use the Epsom salt, dish soap, aspirin, or a mixture of vinegar and baking soda method, you’ll get the problem fixed without causing any damage to your toilet or the sewer system.
However, you do not have to wait until your toilet is clogged to work on it. Make it a habit to use a small amount of toilet paper to prevent it from happening in the first place.
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Hey! I’m Leanda Bailey. I’m here to explain every plumbing installation and repair you may have in your kitchen or bathroom. Also, I’ll try to find you the best products on the market for your plumbing work.
