If You’re Not Using Septic-Safe Toilet Paper, You Should Switch

There are few things worse than a clogged toilet (except a clogged sewage). The hassle of such plumbing problems can wreak havoc on the most beautiful of homes, creating unpleasant smells, unhealthy living conditions, and anxiety for a homeowner who has to worry about the stress and cost of not having a working toilet.

Much of the plumbing problems that occur happen because of the use of the wrong kind of toilet tissue paper. This is especially true if the homeowner has a septic system that requires a specialized type of septic safe toilet paper to be used at all times. If it isn’t designed to be flushed into a septic system, it will likely end up causing a lot of expensive problems in the future.

What is a septic system?

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, more than one in five households in the United States uses an individual onsite or small community cluster systems (septic system) to handle wastewater. These systems are connected to homes and businesses that are in rural areas, which are generally not part of a city’s public sewage system. A septic tank – made of concrete, fiberglass, or plastic – handles wastewater from laundry, showers, and toilets.

The use of septic system varies by state, with Vermont having the most (55%) and California having the least (10%). However, in general, more than one-third of the homes in the southeastern United States use such systems, which is approximately 60 million people.

Why use septic safe toilet paper?

Since septic tanks become full over a period of time, they require a truck to empty them periodically using a high-powered vacuum.Under typical circumstances, this must be done every three to five years to maintain a properly working septic tank that does its job and keeps wastewater contained. Without this drainage process, tanks overflow into the grounds around where they are buried or overflow into the home’s plumbing system.

Septic-safe toilet paper plays an important role in keeping the septic tank running correctly and not becoming overly clogged too early or too often. It does this by disintegrating faster than typical bath tissue, although it can be just as soft and comfortable to use as other non-septic-safe brands on the market. Without this ability to disintegrate, it could easily cause problems with a septic system – even if the septic system has been recently drained.

So, the next time you go to the store to purchase that jumbo roll of toilet paper, keep in mind that your purchasing habits could be creating problems for you in the future – especially if you have a septic system. The good news is that there is septic-safe toilet paper on the market that is gentle on your tank, while also being consistently reviewed well for its premium softness and plushness.

Signs Your Toilet Paper Isn't Septic-Friendly

Most homeowners don't think about their toilet paper until something goes wrong. Slow drains, gurgling sounds from pipes, or a septic tank that needs pumping more often than the typical three-to-five-year interval are all warning signs that the paper going down your toilets isn't breaking down the way it should. Thick, quilted, or heavily dyed tissue is built for softness and strength, not for rapid disintegration, and that durability is exactly what causes it to linger in a tank or leach field instead of breaking apart into harmless fibers.

What Makes a Toilet Paper Septic-Safe

Septic-safe toilet paper is designed to break apart quickly once it hits water, usually within seconds rather than minutes. Look for paper that's single- or two-ply without excessive layering, free of added lotions or fragrances that can introduce unnecessary chemicals into a tank's bacterial ecosystem, and certified or tested for rapid dispersal. A simple at-home test is to drop a few sheets into a jar of water and shake it gently; paper that falls apart within a minute or two is far friendlier to a septic system than paper that stays intact.

Protecting Your System for the Long Term

Switching to septic-safe toilet paper is one of the easiest changes a homeowner can make to avoid costly plumbing repairs and premature tank pumping. Combined with mindful water use and avoiding non-flushable wipes, feminine products, and paper towels, the right toilet paper helps keep the bacterial balance in a septic tank intact so solids break down properly. A little research when choosing bath tissue now can save thousands of dollars in emergency plumbing and septic service down the road.