Ds14 keeps clogging bathroom...

[Disneyfan754321]

Well, I am on the consumer end, not the treatment plant end. My wife's work had to bring in portable toilets and dig up all their plumbing, but that was due to feminine hygiene products being flushed. Those are a no no.

When we moved in our first house we had loads of plumbing issues. When the plumber came out he told us we had sewer rats from the previous owners.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Another vote for getting a bidet here. If you have a tank toilet, you can get a handheld bidet and installing it is so easy. Use baby washcloths to dry off afterward.

The thing I miss most when I'm away is the bidet at home. Once you get used to it, it becomes a necessity. I introduced DH to the bidet and he now agrees with me--it is a necessity.

Check this out: https://www.sanicare.com/Sanicare-100-All-Chrome-Hand-Bidet-p/s100c.htm

This is what I've had in the past (I have a dedicated water line for the bidet in my current bathroom) and it works wonderfully. I have zero connection with this company except that I've purchased all my bidets from them.

Forget about toilet paper, although we have TP if there are guests here, as no one we know has wanted to learn how to use the bidet.

We had this one installed in April 2020 when the first TP shortage hit.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Brondell-CleanSpa-Luxury-Handheld-Bidet-in-Silver-CSL-40/203927020
It certainly helps but I can't say it eliminated the need for TP entirely. We live in the Northeast so we had a plumber install a hot water supply next to each toilet and bought the optional hot/cold mixer so it's not ice cold water in winter.

 

[afan]

My parents never taught us how to use a plunger and we'd overflow the toilet repeatedly as children. I never learned until I started dating dh at age 24. Then I was like, duh, why did my parents never teach me this? Also, we find the accordian style plunger works a lot better than the old fashioned bell shaped. jmho.

Please teach your kids the basics of plunging a toilet and checking the tank if it's running that the flapper isn't stuck open. I had roommates in college that had no idea what the inside of a toilet tank even looked like, nevermind that the chain could get caught and cause the toilet to continue running. We had a mini lesson about the toilet that night.

 

[Lewisc]

Costco brand toilet paper doesn't fall.apart easily and tends to clog. Scott single ply is less likely to clog. Second the suggestions to get some kind of plunger.
Toilet paper used to clean the floor should go in a waste basket.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Please teach your kids the basics of plunging a toilet and checking the tank if it's running that the flapper isn't stuck open. I had roommates in college that had no idea what the inside of a toilet tank even looked like, nevermind that the chain could get caught and cause the toilet to continue running. We had a mini lesson about the toilet that night.

Dh and I did, and at a very young age. They are now 21 and 24 and we've never had it overflow. Just having some simple knowledge of how a toilet works (all of which I learned from dh) makes it easy to prevent clogs and make small repairs. I even fixed ours once recently when it kept running. The chain wasn't caught but the lever/arm that holds the chain just needed to be bent down a tiny bit to give the chain more slack. I was so proud of myself for actually fixing it and didn't have to run to dh.

Anyway, I find that prevention is much easier than having to unclog it, even if you have a great plunger. I don't know why my parents didn't bother to teach us these things when they were good about teaching us so many other things. My only guess is that they were afraid we'd drop the lid and break it, then cracking the floor tile, etc.

 

[LovesTimone]

Tell him to flush, more than once...
You know, do your business, then flush, wipe then flush and repeat as necessary...

 

[tzolkin]

that was due to feminine hygiene products being flushed. Those are a no no.

So many people do not seem to know this.

My one sister was informed by her college roommates that feminine products were supposed to be flushed, so when she came home for break she assumed my parents had just been lying to us for years and proceeded to flush away. Even the manufacturers now recommend to never flush them, but you should especially not be flushing when you live in a 200+ year old house with a septic system.

It certainly helps but I can't say it eliminated the need for TP entirely.

My bidet is very effective. I have not used any toilet paper for #2 since it was installed. I LOVE it. Not having access to a bidet is one major drawback of going on vacation for me now.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Any kind of wipes will definitely block up your pipes eventually, even though they say they are flushable. I'm a mom of boys, one of whom is a toilet paper maniac. My best advice is tell him to flush early and often, several times during a bathroom session. And teach him how to use a plunger--he won't want to have to do that very often, so more likely to develop good habits instead. Not sure what brand of TP you buy, but I stopped with the plush kinds (no charmin at our house) because it seemed to be worse. I get Kirkland brand at Costco. Throw away any type of wipe. I did these things and problem has almost completely gone away.

 

[Micca]

"When will FastPass return" threads are a lot more fun than this one. Although..."FastPass"

 

[Eastern]

Have to admit, I have started counting my squares.

 

[tvguy]

Any kind of wipes will definitely block up your pipes eventually, even though they say they are flushable. I'm a mom of boys, one of whom is a toilet paper maniac. My best advice is tell him to flush early and often, several times during a bathroom session. And teach him how to use a plunger--he won't want to have to do that very often, so more likely to develop good habits instead. Not sure what brand of TP you buy, but I stopped with the plush kinds (no charmin at our house) because it seemed to be worse. I get Kirkland brand at Costco. Throw away any type of wipe. I did these things and problem has almost completely gone away.

I think the issue folks are having are with the toilet clogging, not the pipes. And no, any wipe that meets EPA standards will dissolve quickly just like toilet paper. I see the need for fast dissolving wipes, but to be a bit gross, I am tired of my finger going through these wipes that meet the standards. They fall apart in your hand.

 

[shawthorne44]

Tell him to flush, more than once...
You know, do your business, then flush, wipe then flush and repeat as necessary...

Completely agree.
This is my thought. What is bricks but combined mud-like substance and a fiberous substance, then dried?

My parents had a problem in the master bath. Thing is, that toilet has literally had no one but my mom or dad use it for 30 years. Even for parties, it was too far away to be used by guests. They asked the plumber how the pipes could be clogged since it hasn't anything but waste and TP down it. He explained that the problem was the toilet was the first thing on the drain line. The new low-flow toilets do a great job of getting the stuff TO the drain line. But, not so much moving stuff DOWN the drain line. This isn't a problem if there is a bath or shower or dishwasher upstream because those will clean out the drain line. So, maybe give some thought to where it is on the drain. Although if it is high up, then multiple flushes is still the solution.

I also wonder. Does he wash his hands afterward?

Another thought. Assuming you don't have floor space for a bidet, they have ones that replace toilet seats. Although the spray hose looks cheaper.

 

[MrsPete]

Good idea, do they clog the pipes like baby wipes do?

ALL wipes will cause you plumbing problems.

Make him clean it up. It's easy to ignore a recommendation when it's not your problem.

I was going to say the same thing: He's not a little kid, so don't "save him" from the consequences from his actions. Teach him to plunge and clean up, and make it his responsibility.

You could also try the dish soap trick, squirt it in the toilet, let it sit for 15 minutes and flush. I don't know if it will work for paper clogs, but it does for the other kind

I've lived half a century without knowing this. Is it weird that I kinda hope for a clog so I can test it?

Issue him one roll of TP that's good for the entire month (and hide the rest). When he runs out in a week or so tell him to pick leaves off the tree. He's 14 years old; four years from being a legal adult! Time to start adult training: Be responsible, budget your resources, and clean up your mess.

I've known students at school who've stolen toilet paper because they didn't have enough at home. Probably not for the reasons we're discussing.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

D

He is using way way to much TP.
How many squares should I suggest he uses.
His dad has been no help to the situation..
Actually made it worse making jokes..
He is the only one that uses that bathroom and goes through the Costco 8pk faster than we do and there is two of us.

Tell him to do the DOUBLE FLUSH.

 

[shawthorne44]

In addition to the idea of the double flush, is the similar idea of a Curtesy Flush. Basically flush if you do something stinky even if you aren't done. Cuts wayyyy down on the smell.

 

[Deb & Bill]

No, they are flushable.

Flushable wipes are never flushable. You need to toss them in the garbage. They will create the giant clogs further down the line.

 

[dclpluto]

Op are you still having problems with your son or did you follow some suggestions that people have gave you here?

 

[trivan]

Not having access to a bidet is one major drawback of going on vacation for me now.

Toto makes a portable one, I bring it on every trip!
search for TOTO-Travel-Handy-Washlet