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Most people don’t spend a lot of time thinking about their toilets, but now that everyone is sheltering in place the toilet is getting a bit more attention. With the toilet paper shortage, people are thinking about their toileting habits a bit more than they used too. Generally only a plumber in Arlington, TX is concerned about the health of a toilet, but with nowhere to go people are suddenly very aware of their toilet health. If you only have one toilet in your home, you may be a bit more concerned about your toilet situation.
While we can’t help you find toilet paper if you are getting low, we can help you keep your toilet healthy. Your goal should be to avoid calling a plumber during this delicate time, and it is possible if you take some proactive steps. Here are some general tips that require little work but can have huge results. Changing your routine slightly and making sure you clean your toilet and keep it in good shape is all that is necessary to avoid needing a plumber in Arlington, TX. Your toilet has the potential to impact your entire household, so it’s worth taking a minute to learn how to keep it healthy.
Only TP Goes Down the Toilet
The number one way that you can prevent an emergency call to the plumber is by only flushing toilet paper down the toilet. In fact, that is one rule that you should have for everyone in your house because it is the golden rule when it comes to proper toilet usage. Whether there is a crisis or not, you should never flush anything but toilet paper down the toilet.
Almost everyone at some point in their lives thinks it is okay to flush something else small down the toilet at one point. It’s a lot easier to toss something in the toilet then dispose of it elsewhere, but it is this type of action and thought process that will lead to a late-night call to the plumber in Arlington, TX.
The truth is that nothing else besides toilet paper is toilet-friendly, no matter what packaging may say or how badly you want it to be. A lot of companies market flushable wipes, but all these wet wipes do is clog up the drains in your plumbing system leading to a clog that requires a plumber. If you have a septic tank flushable wipes can be even more trouble that leads to the installation of a new septic system. The bottom line is don’t ever flush anything but toilet paper.
Toilet paper is made to break down and dissolve in water. No other paper substance is made in the same manner. It can safely dissolve and pass through your plumbing system. Let it work its magic, and don’t add anything else to the mix.
What If I Run Out of Toilet Paper?
Unfortunately, toilet paper seems to be the magical grocery item of the decade, and hoarding has left supplies short in some states. There is a good chance that the toilet paper aisle is bare at your grocery store, which can leave you in a bit of a panic. Running out of toilet paper while you are sheltering at home can be terrorizing, but there are plenty of alternatives you can use to wipe yourself thoroughly. Just DON’T flush any of them.
Old rags, napkins, tissues that are folded over, paper towel squares, wet wipes, or even yesterday’s newspaper are all paper materials that you can use to clean up after using the bathroom. Depending on how you feel about the current state of affairs, it may be even satisfying to wipe up with some of the current news. Just because you can’t flush these paper items doesn’t mean you can’t use them to clean up.
Just refrain from flushing them when you are done. Instead, consider placing a trash can with liners near the toilet that can be used exclusively for waste papers. Make sure to empty the trash can after use or at least twice a day and you can continue to stay clean without clogging your toilet.
Alternative tissues are great for cleaning after using the restroom, but they are not great for your toilet. No matter how soft or thin a piece of tissue or paper seems, any plumber will tell you it could block your pipes. You may get away with it at first, but eventually, if you continue to flush you will end up with a flooded bathroom a