You've Gotta Kick Your Habit of Using Too Much TP

In case no one every told you: Toilet paper doesn't magically disappear when you flush the toilet. Instead, your toilet paper travels through different pipes until it reaches the sewage treatment plant.

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Now, our toilet paper should dissolve into a sludge during this journey — unless it gets stopped up in a clog-causing clump. Nobody likes a lecture, but let's be real — this is a likely outcome if you don't stop wasting toilet paper. We've got the details on why economical toilet paper use matters.

How Does Using Too Much Toilet Paper Damage Your Toilet and Plumbing?

Toilet paper isn't meant to travel through your plumbing system as full-sized sheets. Wet toilet paper should dissolve into a soft, gooey glob that flows easily through your pipes. When toilet paper conservation isn't one of your daily habits, you may send a mound of paper into your pipes instead.

Think of this mound like the stubborn lumps that can remain in your cake or brownie batter after mixing. Your batter may also stick to the bowl instead of pouring easily into a pan, just like clumps of toilet paper can stick to your toilet bowl or pipes.

Sometimes these issues happen if you use too much flour and not enough liquid in your recipe. The same is true when you wipe with too much toilet paper. Your plumbing system breaks down toilet tissue and other waste with water, but excess waste can create a blockage.

Waste blockages can cause many problems, including:

• Leaky pipes

• Overflowing or clogged toilets

• Septic system overload

• Cracked or burst pipes

These issues typically require attention from a plumber. Learning how to use less toilet paper is important so you don't destroy your plumbing system.

Should You Reduce Toilet Paper Usage to Protect Sewer and Septic Systems?

Many people reduce toilet paper usage to protect sewer or septic systems. Clogs can damage your toilet, but sometimes a plunger isn't strong enough to clear a blockage. Wads of toilet paper can get stuck deep in your plumbing system, damaging your sewer line or septic tank.

When undissolved toilet tissue builds up in your system, it prevents waste from flowing easily through the pipes. Your sewer or septic system can become overloaded as it struggles to push new waste around the mound of old toilet paper. This puts unnecessary pressure on your system, leading to leaks or cracks. Your pipes may even burst!

Using too much toilet paper can cause costly damage to your sewer or septic system. You may need to repair or replace your system, even if you only use too much toilet paper once. Play it safe and practice toilet paper conservation when you use the bathroom.

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What's the Best Way to Use Less Toilet Paper?

Disposable wet wipes can help reduce toilet paper usage, but don't flush the wipes! Wipes don't break down easily and can cause a blockage, just like undissolved toilet paper. You can also try using a bidet to encourage economical toilet paper use in your household.

Folding sheets of toilet paper in half before you wipe is also one of the best ways to use less toilet paper. When you fold toilet paper in half, you still have a generously sized surface for wiping. Consider using a dispenser that restricts toilet paper usage so it's easier to grab the right amount.

Plush piles of toilet paper can be a treat for your tush, but they're not a friend to your plumbing system. If you can't resist wiping with thick wads of toilet paper, consider throwing used TP in the trash rather than the toilet. You can also switch to single-ply paper.

Flushing your toilet several times rather than sending a mound of toilet paper through your plumbing system at once may help reduce blockages. A plumber can offer guidance on protecting your toilet, sewer line or septic tank when you flush toilet paper.