Toilet paper

Submitted by fyl on 28 January, 2004 - 18:38.

Most places tell you not to put toilet paper in the toilet. I have asked a few times and the answer is always the same: "our septic tank is not designed to handle toilet paper". Well, that doesn't make sense. What would seem logical is that the sewer pipes are small and paper tends to clog them. Anyone know the facts behind the rumors?

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toilet paper

Submitted by Bill on 3 February, 2004 - 08:16.

www.la-esperanza-granada.org www.tropicalrealestate-nicaragua.com Yes, I believe that is true. I have a number of houses and businesses always sumidero (cesspool) not septic tanks here,problems. Should always use a six inch drain connected to four inch from toilet to avoid problems.I have one sumidero that has not been emptied in my hotel for fourty years. seems to keep draining just fine and toilet paper is no problem. The smaller the drain pipe the cheaper it is Surely it is an economic thing. Bill

Toilet Paper

Submitted by Bobby on 2 February, 2004 - 08:07.

I flushed out the answer from an old woman in Limon, Costa Rica years ago. I rented a small house on the beach from her. Realizing I was "Gringo" and probably used to depositing toilet paper in the toilet and not in the garbage can that is usually present in every CA bathroom (although alot of times there isn't any paper) she told me to be sure and put it in the garbage can. I told her I would..... Well, she went through my garbage one morning and headed straigt back to my house and wanted to know where the used toilet paper was. I was honest and told her I put it in the toilet and then got the real poop on the subject.

Years ago the septic pipes were made from 3 inch clay pipes. The pipes are pourous. If there is any wet paper that doesn't make it all the way to the tank and remains in the pipe it drys out like papermache and sticks to the walls of the clay pipes. The next time you flush, the mache swells and traps more paper. Little by little it becomes clogged. Cleaning them out may seem simple to us Gringos, but the modern equipment ususally destroys the clay pipe and it has to be replaced. Even chemicals will eat through the pipes, so that's not an option. (On top of that the chemicals destroy the micro-organisms in the tank and can cause greater problems.) If you're system is cast iron or PVC there shouldn't be a problem. If you can't deal with using the garbage can for the paper, have clay pipes and insist on flushing, the best advice I can give you is flush twice and use single-ply paper.

Thanks, Bobby

Submitted by calanguagetours on 2 February, 2004 - 12:29.

Thanks, one of the little things that is part and parcel of "Life in the Tropics" Joined your excellent Yahoogroup.

Central America Language Tours Your Vertical Portal to Travel, Trade and Language Study in all of Central America... www.centralamericalanguagetours.com info@centralamericalanguagetours.com

Toilet Paper

Submitted by calanguagetours on 28 January, 2004 - 19:33.

It is not a "rumor" it is true, la pura verdad. the pipes are small and the paper clogs them up. I have lived this time in C.A. since 1986, in States last year found myself throwing the paper in to trash can by habit. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Central America Language Tours Your Vertical Portal to Travel, Trade and Language Study in all of Central America... www.centralamericalanguagetours.com info@centralamericalanguagetours.com