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Can Toilet Paper Clog Pipes?

Written by Al Coronado Plumbing on . Posted in Clogged Pipes.

A clogged toilet quickly causes a nasty disaster on your bathroom floor. Understandably, you’ll want to avoid commode catastrophes at all costs. 

Can toilet paper clog pipes? Al Coronado Plumbing, a skilled plumbing contractor in Southern AZ, unpacks that question below.

Let’s Talk About Toilet Paper

Which works best for your septic and plumbing system?

  • Bamboo toilet paper
  • Single-ply 
  • Recycled rolls
  • Unbleached varieties 

With endless toilet paper products from which you can choose, many people make the choice on price alone. However, manufacturers design toilet paper differently. For example, some brands may degrade almost instantly when wet, and you won’t be able to use that type of paper to clean up spilled sodas or other messes.

However, while most toilet paper lacks the absorbency and durability necessary for effectively cleaning surfaces, there are still levels of functionality to consider. A one-ply product will break down faster than a three or four-ply product. Certain materials like bamboo also degrade faster.

Can Toilet Paper Clog Pipes?

So, can toilet paper clog pipes, and if so, which product would plumbers recommend? Yes, toilet paper can clog pipes, particularly if too much enters the plumbing system at once. You can mitigate the issue by exploring how different products work to satisfy your needs and protect your drainage system from invading tree roots and sediment buildup.

Better Toilet Paper Could Help

When choosing the best toilet paper for your household, consider the following factors:

  • Multiple plies: Single-ply toilet paper will cause fewer blockages but doesn’t always fulfill your personal needs. 
  • Material: Materials like bamboo and other biodegradable substances break down faster than traditional products. 
  • Your needs: If you struggle with stomach issues, you might need better toilet paper to ensure hygiene. Why not look into multi-ply options made from biodegradable materials to protect your septic system?

How To Prevent Toilet Paper Blockages

Under some circumstances, you need to use more than your drain pipes can handle. What can you do to ensure your toilet paper goes down the drain smoothly? You’ll find a few helpful recommendations below:

  • Keep a selection of products: Who said you can only use one type of toilet paper at home? Stock up on one-ply products for regular use and multi-ply products for heavier use. This ensures your cleanliness and comfort without stressing your drainage system.
  • Install a bidet: Consider a complete bidet installation or removable attachments. Bidets can eliminate your need for toilet paper at home. 
  • Don’t rinse toilet paper down the sink or tub drains: Sometimes, kids or pets make messes with paper products in other plumbing fixtures. Prevent a blocked drain by removing as much toilet paper from the fixture as possible.
  • Proactively maintain your plumbing system: Prevention is the best solution. Regular maintenance services from an experienced plumber will ensure your plumbing and septic system work flawlessly, especially when you’re in no mood to mop or plunge.

Al Coronado Plumbing Solves All Kinds of Drain Clogs

Can toilet paper clog pipes? Yes, it can, but Al Coronado Plumbing offers services to prevent and fix all types of clogged drains! Call 520-834-8400 for professional plumbing assistance today.

Is Drain Cleaner Safe for Pipes?

Written by Al Coronado Plumbing on . Posted in Clogged Pipes, General plumbing blog.

Do you frequently experience clogged drains? Is drain cleaner safe for pipes when professional plumbers generally suggest avoiding them? Keep reading to discover why professionals like Al Coronado Plumbing recommend avoiding these products for drain cleaning in Tucson, AZ, and what to use instead.

And if you’d like an experienced team to handle your clogged drains, call Al Coronado Plumbing in Tucson, Arizona, to learn more!

The Dangers of Drain Cleaners

It’s usually best to avoid using drain cleaners to clear clogs from your pipes. For one, it may not be a problem that the cleaner can dislodge. Plus, the chemical reactions used for the cleaners can cause the following issues:

  • They get stuck too. The biggest problem is that drain cleaners are difficult to completely remove from the pipe system. Over time, they will create heat and react with existing corrosion to eat away at the pipes. Even PVC pipes are vulnerable.
  • They react with other cleaners. If these cleaners sit in your pipe system and you pour other cleaners down your drains, unpredictable chemical reactions could follow. If this causes toxic fumes, your household could experience health problems.
  • They’re harmful. Even if you pour carefully, a chemical blowback from the drain could splash and burn your skin or cause blindness if it comes into contact with your eyes.
  • They’re not eco-friendly. Drain cleaners are horrible for the environment. Nobody wants these contaminants in their drinking water, poisoning pets, or destroying plant and animal life around their homes.

Maintaining Your Pipes Without Drain Cleaners

Is drain cleaner safe for pipes if you get the right brand? What could you use instead? The best solution is to avoid clogged drains in the first place by controlling what goes down the drain, including the following substances:

  • Grease, fat, and oil from food
  • Any paper products other than toilet paper (even if they claim to be flushable)
  • Hard food waste, such as bones or fiber
  • Foods that expand, like pasta or rice
  • Gritty substances, like eggshells or coffee grounds

Handling Clogged Pipes

No matter how well you maintain your pipes, most plumbing systems will experience a clog eventually. If you encounter a clog related to your garbage disposal or other plumbing issues, calling a team like Al Coronado Plumbing is always the best option for removing blockages without causing further damage. However, you can also try the following for minor clogs:

  • Plunger: Plungers are an effective solution for minor clogs. It will dislodge the blockage, at which point you can usually wash it out of your plumbing system.
  • Drain snake: You can obtain an affordable drain snake at any hardware store, but your plumber has access to the industrial strength version. A snake can reach clogs that are farther down your pipes and break them up before flushing.
  • Baking soda: Some people swear by pouring boiling water down the drain, followed by a half-cup of baking soda and vinegar for harder clogs.

Call Al Coronado Plumbing to Unclog Your Pipes

Is drain cleaner safe for pipes in moderation? You won’t need to risk it with Al Coronado Plumbing on your side. We can keep your property’s pipes in great working condition, fix clogged drains, and more—call 520-834-8400 today!

How to Fix a Clogged Cast Iron Drain Pipe

Written by csdeveloper on . Posted in Clogged Pipes.

If you live in an older Southern Arizona home, there’s a good chance you have cast iron pipes. Whether it’s a cast iron sewer line or drain line, they’re supposed to be durable and last upwards of 50 years, but that’s not always the case.

While cast iron pipes have benefits, they can be challenging to repair in a lasting manner, leaving many homeowners looking for a complete plumbing replacement. However, professionally done repairs can save customers from encountering a catastrophic incident, such as a pipe bursting, before the damage gets out of hand.

To know the reasons behind clogged drain pipes, check our detailed blog on Clogged Drains: Causes and Solutions.

Benefits of Cast Iron Pipes

There are benefits to cast iron pipes! While they do require more expertise and care to maintain and service, cast iron pipes come with many advantages, such as:

  • They’re quiet

You’ve probably never noticed how annoying loud pipes can be unless you’ve had them. Cast iron piping provides sound dampening to pipes, with less clanking and whooshing to be heard throughout your home.

  • They’re durable

Old cast iron pipes have stood the test of time because of their durability under pressure. Cast iron pipe lining adds a layer of reinforcement to sewer pipes and other elements of plumbing systems alike.

  • They’re safe

If you’re worried about fire safety for your home, cast iron pipes are a great choice. Cast iron is fire resistant, meaning they’re unlikely to burn and doesn’t put off dangerous and unhealthy gasses when exposed to high heat. This makes them a safe option for sewer pipes and more.

Repairing a Cast Iron Pipe

If damage or crumbling of an old pipe is concentrated, it can be helpful to repair finding a more permanent solution.

  • Hydro jetting

Beginning with cleaning, hydro jetting or high-pressure water jets can clear away sediment, rust, and build-up that may result in more service from your existing piping. A hydro jet may also cut through tree roots that have infiltrated the system (another common problem in AZ).

  • Sewage Camera

Next, a waterproof camera specially made for diagnosing plumbing issues can be inserted into the system to determine the best next steps. If a clog or blockage is impeding the flow of enough water to or from your system, the best action may be to break up the waste, or it may be time to think about getting new pipes. At Al Coronado Plumbing, our professionals will analyze the system footage to recommend you repair or replace the cast iron with a new pipe.

  • Trenchless sewer repair

Trenchless sewer repair, also referred to as “pipe bursting” is actually a way of replacing an effected pipe without having to dig up the entire system. With cast iron pipes, it is inevitable that they will eventually degrade, often making a more modern pvc replacement a more advantageous approach than trying to patch up an already failing cast iron line.

Service your Iron Pipes with Al Coronado Plumbing

There’s a reason Al Coronado Plumbing is Tucson’s trusted plumber. We value quality, honesty, cleanliness, and professional customer plumbing experience.

Al Coronado knows your time is valuable. Our fast and convenient Tucson Plumbing services aim to get you back up and running as soon as possible. From start to finish, you and your family are at the top of our Tucson Plumbers’ priority list.

Learn more about our services and contact us today with a visit to our website.