45+ how to dissolve toilet paper in a sewer line (2024)

FAQs

45+ how to dissolve toilet paper in a sewer line? ›

Pour Hot Water and Dish Soap into the Bowl

Can Too Much Toilet Paper Clog a Sewer Line? Yes. If the clog moves past your drain, it can get stuck in your sewer line if debris or old pipes stop it from moving along or breaking up. If you suspect too much toilet paper is trapped in your sewer line, don't expect or wait for it to clear.

Safe to Flush

Toilet paper is the only safe product to flush down your toilet. Many toilet paper brands dissolve in minutes, and even the thickest varieties dissolve within 24 hours of being flushed.

The only form of Drano^® product recommended for use in a slow toilet is Drano^® Max Build-Up Remover. When used according to label directions, the microorganisms in this product will break down toilet paper and organic matter in pipes, which can slow water flow. (This product will NOT open a completely clogged toilet.)

Bleach does not dissolve toilet paper. Toilet paper is designed to break down in water. So, many times toilet paper clogs will resolve themselves in 1–2 hours. Stubborn toilet clogs are best cleared by plunging or using a snake to remove the clog.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

First, pour a cup of baking soda directly into the toilet bowl. Carefully add two cups of vinegar to initiate a chemical reaction with the baking soda. Wait for 20 to 30 minutes to allow the reaction to break down the clog, and then give the toilet a flush.

You can tackle a clogged sewer line using other strategies if you don't have a snake on hand. First, you can run hot water down the drain for 5 to 10 minutes to see if that helps break up the clog. If it doesn't, pour equal parts of vinegar and baking soda into a bowl and then pour that mixture down the drain.

Substances like toilet paper and fecal matter will eventually dissolve within the toilet drain and clear the clog organically. However, blockages made from insoluble materials won't resolve on their own and typically require you to fix the clog manually or contact a professional before they worsen.

Baking Soda, Vinegar, and Water Pressure

Mix baking soda and vinegar in the ratio of 1:2 and add the mixture in 60 gallons of water. Use the plunger or drain snake as you pour the water into the drain. If you are wondering how to unclog main sewer line, the pressure of the water will dislodge the debris easily.

Traditionally toilet paper that is flushed and processed in the water system can biodegrade in a couple of months. But it is commonly reported that toilet tissue that is left out in nature can take anywhere from 1-3 years to decompose completely.

Does hot water dissolve toilet paper faster? ›

(Hot water helps break up toilet paper quicker and the soap lubricates the passage of solid material). If nothing has happened wait 10 minutes more. If still nothing has happened you will probably need to use a different method (or bail some of the water out and add more hot water/ soap).

You want to reduce the water level as much as possible. Then, simply boil a kettle and pour it into the drain from a decent height. With any luck, the hot water will help dissolve stuck toilet paper, enabling you to unblock the toilet by flushing it normally.

The only three things you can safely flush down the toilet into the sewer system are the three Ps —pee, poop and (toilet) paper. Nothing else. Remember: Wipes clog pipes. Even if it says "flushable" — it's not.

Cottonelle Ultra ComfortCare Toilet Paper

Cottonelle UltraComfortcare is clog-free, septic-safe, and sewer-safe. Cottonelle uses renewable plant-based fibers, which makes this toilet paper biodegradable and great for your septic system.

Potato peels, eggshells and coffee grounds are some of the main culprits plumbers deal with when clearing clogged sewer lines. Greases and fats: Many people pour grease right down the drain, not realizing that the hot liquid will immediately solidify once it hits your cold pipes, creating a grease blockage.

The main goal of proper toilet paper selection is to prevent unnecessary clogs in your pipes. A clogged sewer line can lead to sewage backups, loosening of pipe joints, and even costly and damaging pipe bursts. Clog prevention is reason enough to select the proper paper.