Can Bamboo Toilet Paper Block your Drain?

As the world continually makes strides towards a more sustainable existence, bamboo toilet paper is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to standard wood pulp-based toilet paper. The environmental benefits of bamboo are extensive: it requires less water than trees, it can absorb more CO2 than a tree of a similar size, and it grows extremely quickly!

As bamboo toilet paper is typically 100% biodegradable and will break down much faster than standard (or even recycled) toilet paper, you might assume that it would be less likely to clog your drains. This, however, is not necessarily true.

Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Less Likely to Clog My Drains?

Whilst bamboo toilet paper is clearly an eco-friendlier alternative, there is no specific reason why it will not block toilets in the same way that traditional toilet paper sometimes does. What it will definitely not do, however, is be more likely to cause blockages. Bamboo fibres are highly water-soluble and thus come apart very easily. In theory, then, they should be no problem for modern plumbing systems.

If you are still sceptical, you could test this hypothesis with a simple experiment before putting it down your toilet. Simply rip off a few sheets of bamboo tissue paper and place it in a large bottle/jar. Next, close the lid tightly and vigorously shake the bottle/jar for around 10 seconds. This will vaguely simulate what happens when you flush. If the toilet paper has broken down into small pieces, this suggests that it will not be a problem for your drainage system.

Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Septic Safe?

Traditional toilet paper will often clog septic systems; however, bamboo toilet paper dissolves easily when it encounters the type of bacteria and fungus that is found in septic tanks. Bamboo toilet paper also does not contain any additives, helping it to disintegrate faster than its wood pulp-based counterpart. Not only is it septic safe, but if you have a septic tank, bamboo toilet paper is the best option!

Avoid Excessive Toilet Paper Usage

Whether you use standard or bamboo toilet paper, one thing you need to avoid is excessive toilet paper usage. Although toilet paper is obviously designed to be flushable and break down in wastewater systems, too much of it can lead to recurring toilet clogs.

When the tissue simply does not dissolve quick enough, it can become stuck in your pipes, especially when there is already a clog building up in them. When this happens, toilet paper can mix with other debris and compound the blockage.

If you need a professional touch to unblock your toilet, or you have any other plumbing issue, contact First Response Drainage today on 0800 043 4680. Our team of specialist engineers are on-hand to make sure that your drains stay in top condition.