Why Your Toilet Hates Paper Towels
by Hope Property Investments on 06/26/25
The Plumbing Dos, Don’ts, and Flush Fails of Hope Property Tenants Past
Let’s talk about your toilet.
Not your Pinterest-perfect powder room or your “coastal farmhouse” inspired bathroom décor—no, we’re talking about the real MVP: the pipes, the flush, the sacred system that takes what you send and spirits it away.
Unfortunately, some tenants treat this delicate hero like it’s a garbage disposal with confidence issues.
Spoiler: your toilet hates almost everything you’re tempted to flush.
The Top Offenders:
1. Paper Towels
They look like big, strong toilet paper.
They’re marketed like the helpful cousin of TP.
But flush one and suddenly you’re starring in “Clogged: A Drainpipe Thriller”.
Why Not?
Paper towels are designed to absorb and stay strong, even wet. That’s the opposite of what you want in plumbing. They don’t break down and instead lump together like a high-fiber horror show.
Toilet mood: Betrayed.
2. “Flushable” Wipes (a.k.a. Liars in a Wrapper)
They say “flushable.”
The package shows a happy little swirl.
But real plumbers call them "fatberg fuel."
Truth bomb:
These wipes don’t disintegrate—they just float around your pipes like lost dreams until they merge with grease, hair, and other unmentionables to create a costly clog.
?? Tenant mood: Shocked at a $475 plumbing charge.
?? Your lease says: Don't do it. Your wallet agrees.
3. That Super Cushy Toilet Paper
The one that feels like clouds and costs more than brunch?
Yeah… your toilet hates that too.
Why?
Ultra-thick TP doesn't break down easily. It bunches up, clogs faster, and puts your system under pressure—especially in homes with older pipes or septic systems.
Pro tip: Go single-ply and thank us later.
4. Anything That’s Not Toilet Paper or… You Know
Let’s just list it, because we’ve seen it all:
-
Cotton balls
-
Q-tips
-
Dental floss
-
Kitty litter
-
Feminine products
-
Diapers
-
Hair (yes, hair?!)
If it didn’t come from your body or say “single-ply toilet paper” on the label, put it in the trash.
Real-Life Flush Fails (Yes, These Happened)
“The Birthday Bash Backup”
Tenant flushed leftover party napkins. Called us when water came up instead of going down. Party was over.
“The Baby Wipe Mystery”
Tenant swore they “only flushed two.”
The plumber pulled out a football-sized clog made of wipes, hair, and sadness. Cost: $575.
“The TP Tower”
Triple-thick toilet paper + never changing the roll = slow drain that led to a septic backup. (Fun fact: septic tanks and thick TP are mortal enemies.)
How to Keep Things Flowing
Use single-ply TP
Never flush wipes, even if they say they’re flushable
Trash everything else
If you’re on a septic system, be even more careful (and cease water use if it backs up!)
Not sure what to do?
When in doubt, email us: tenant@hopega.com
Or just ask yourself: Would this belong in a sewer museum?
In Summary:
If your toilet could talk, it would say:
“Respect the flush.”
Because when it clogs, guess who’s footing the bill?
(Answer: You.)
Be kind to your plumbing, and it will return the favor.
—
Hope Property Investments
We love smooth flushes and happy tenants.
?? 770-583-8864 | ?? tenant@hopega.com | ?? www.hopega.com
