Will paper towels clog a septic tank?

Dryer sheets, facial tissues and paper towels do not break down easily in septic systems. Other commonly flushed items which cause clogs and damage include hair clippings, dirt and coffee grounds.

What will dissolve paper towels in pipes?

toilet auger
A toilet auger comes with small barbs or hooks at the end inserted into the drain. The hooks assist in breaking down a clog. Thus, inserting a toilet auger into the toilet drain will assist in breaking up the stuck toilet paper and allow it to dissolve in water.

Is it OK to flush one paper towel?

“If you’re all out of toilet paper, there’s no perfect solution, but you should never flush paper towels and napkins. They don’t dissolve quickly in water and are likely to cause your toilet to back up,” company officials wrote in an email to customers.

Is it OK to flush paper towels?

But what about paper towels or napkins? No. Even though they’re a close substitute for toilet paper, experts don’t recommend flushing them.

Can you use paper towels instead of toilet paper to flush?

A clog resulting from the use of paper towels, tissues, or napkins instead of toilet paper can cause the toilet to flush sluggishly, if it can even flush at all. Tissues and paper towels can wreak absolute havoc on your plumbing if your home relies on a septic tank.

Can paper towels or facial tissues cause plumbing problems?

If your use of paper towels or facial tissues eventually leads to a plumbing issue, then your best bet is to call for and wait on a professional to deal with the problem. In most cases, a plumber should be able to break up the clog using a plumber’s rodding machine, but some cases involve more extensive work.

What happens if you accidentally flush something down the toilet?

If you’ve already accidentally flushed one of the aforementioned items, don’t worry too much—so long as it’s a one-off event. One wayward paper towel or Hatchimals toy is unlikely to derail your entire septic system.

Are tissues and paper towels bad for septic systems?

Tissues and paper towels can wreak absolute havoc on your plumbing if your home relies on a septic tank. It’s not unusual for tougher tissues to get tangled up in sewage pumps meant to break down and push waste through your septic system.