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    BarbP's Avatar
    BarbP Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Dec 24, 2011, 02:41 PM
    In a normal home situation should paper towels be flushed down a toilet?
    This is being done consistently and the person doing so does not believe that paper towels can clog our sewer line leading to the main sewer line in the street. Should this person be told not to flush white paper towels (like used for cleaning)?
    DaniCalifornia's Avatar
    DaniCalifornia Posts: 655, Reputation: 152
    Senior Member
    		  
    #2

    Dec 24, 2011, 02:50 PM
    Toilet roll is made specifically to degrade quicker so it doesn't clog. Other types are not. So I'd say yes.
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
    Expert
    		  
    #3

    Dec 24, 2011, 04:16 PM
    No it is not made to flush, they should know better so tell them.
    Xerxes12's Avatar
    Xerxes12 Posts: 21, Reputation: 5
    New Member
    		  
    #4

    Dec 24, 2011, 04:20 PM
    Hi there, toilet paper and paper towels are made from different grades of paper. Toilet paper is made to disintegrate quickly. Paper towels are studier - some even have commericials that promote "sturdy and only one towel will do the job!" - I imagine that one will also do a job on your plumbing. I'd strongly suggest they stop flushing the paper towels.
    Wondergirl's Avatar
    Wondergirl Posts: 39,354, Reputation: 5431
    Jobs & Parenting Expert
    		  
    #5

    Dec 24, 2011, 04:50 PM
    A plumber once told me there are only three things that should be flushed. "Two of them you know, and the other is toilet paper. Do NOT flush paper towels, handiwipes/baby wipes, dental floss, sanitary napkins, kitty litter, or any kind of cloth."
    joypulv's Avatar
    joypulv Posts: 21,591, Reputation: 2941
    current pert
    		  
    #6

    Dec 24, 2011, 05:16 PM
    Who owns the property? That person should order this person to stop, or face a repair bill. In fact if they are renting, a warning that rent will go WAY up or the lease terminated.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #7

    Dec 25, 2011, 06:31 AM
    Should this person be told not to flush white paper towels
    Absolutely! You've heard it from all of our experts and now you're hearing it from me. Paper towels can bunch up and cause blockages. Have this person read all our posts and if this person still flushes paper towels down the john then ban him, or her, out of the bathroom. Good luck, Tom
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #8

    Dec 25, 2011, 09:25 AM
    On top of all these great answers flushing paper towels down the toilet is also ecologically unsound. Paper can be recycled if you just throw it into a recycling drum.
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
    Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #9

    Dec 25, 2011, 10:42 AM
    No, paper towels should not be flushed down the toilet. Paper towels are designed to absorb water and hold it. Therefore, they will not flush down the pipe as easily as toilet paper which will disintegrate in water. Milo
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