Toilet Paper Tips To Keep Your Septic System Healthy

When it comes to your septic tank, you have to be very careful what goes down into it if you want it to function properly. If you are treating your septic tank properly, the only item that should be going into it (aside from the obvious) is toilet paper. However, even toilet paper can upset your septic system if you are not careful. The following are some important aspects of toilet paper use that you may not have considered:

The Thickness of the Toilet Paper

There's no doubt you have seen the commercials on television demonstrating the thickness of different brands of toilet paper. They are trying to entice you to purchase the thickest form of paper for your own comfort. However, this thick toilet paper can do a real number on your septic system. These thicker varieties do not break down very well and can cause your system to fill faster, requiring more frequent draining. Instead, consider using one-ply toilet paper. It will break down much more quickly and into smaller particles.

Test Your Favorite Toilet Paper

As a consumer, there are certain brands that are non-negotiable, and toilet paper can certainly fall into that category. However, if you are experiencing septic trouble, you may want to test your toilet paper's ability to dissolve to see if it is the root of the problem. If you find that it is indeed causing your tank to become compromised, it may mean you have to make the change to a different product.

You will need two small bowls of water for this test. Take a piece of your preferred tissue as well as a piece of one-ply. Place each into a bowl of water and watch it to see how fast it dissolves. The really thick brands will not dissolve completely, or even at all, which is very problematic. Anything that does not dissolve will float to the top of the septic tank and sit there, causing the need for frequent pumping.

Reduce Toilet Paper Use

If you want to have an optimal septic system, you can always reduce the amount of tissue you are using. You may even want to avoid placing any tissue into the toilet at all, opting to place it into the trashcan for daily disposal. If you have a septic system that is on the verge of needing to be pumped, this is a viable and temporary option until it has been serviced.

Septic systems are very sensitive, so it is crucial to make every effort to keep yours healthy. Be sure your tank is serviced regularly by a company like Rob's Septic Tanks Inc so that the bacterial and enzymatic levels are optimal.