Can You Flush Paper Towels Down the Toilet?

If you’ve run out of toilet paper, you might be tempted to use paper towels as a substitute. However, emergency plumbers strongly advise against this because flushing them can increase the risk of clogs and water overflows. While paper towels are better suited for cleaning mirrors or bathroom sinks, they should be disposed of in the trash, not the toilet.

Discover the differences between paper towels and toilet paper, how they can lead to plumbing blockages and when to call an emergency plumber near you.

Can You Flush Paper Towels?

In our guide to drain cleaning, we explained that your sinks, drains and pipes are vulnerable to debris like hair, soap scum, grease, food particles and foreign objects. All these objects resist water and don’t easily disintegrate, creating the conditions for a blockage.

Although tissues, paper towels and wet wipes may seem suitable alternatives to toilet paper, they also risk causing a plumbing emergency. If you regularly use and flush these items, you may ask questions like, “Why does my toilet keep clogging?” or “What’s causing these toilet blockages?” The answer lies in the materials; these items are not made the same way as TP.

While toilet paper, paper towels, tissues and napkins use paper in their construction, TP is specifically designed to prioritize softness and fast disintegration. It is made of short fibers that break down easily in water, protecting your toilet pipes from clogging. Even wet wipes advertised as flushable should not be flushed down the toilet because they do not break down as quickly as regular TP.

Paper towels, tissues and napkins use more durable fibers that prioritize absorbency. When they come in contact with water or liquids, they expand and stay together. 

After flushing towels down the toilet, it can take a long time for them to break apart. They tend to stick to the side walls of your pipes, especially around bends and curved sections like the P-trap. A small quantity of paper towels can easily cause blockages, requiring you to call emergency plumbing services.

When to Call an Emergency Plumber

If paper towels have accidentally been flushed down your toilet, stop using that toilet right away. Watch for signs of a blockage. Catching these early and calling a 24-hour emergency plumber near you can help you avoid a full-blown plumbing emergency.

• Your toilets drain too slowly. Bunched-up paper towels inside your toilet pipes can constrict their interior diameter and prevent water from flowing correctly. A common symptom in toilets is the speed at which water drains after flushing. If yours is unusually slow, contact an emergency plumber; they can locate and clear the clog before it worsens.

• You frequently need to plunge your toilets. Using a toilet plunger whenever you notice the signs of a clog is a good idea; sometimes, that’s all you need to clear the occasional blockage. But if your toilets repeatedly seem to clog or need plunging, it can indicate a blockage deep in the pipes, further than a plunger can reach.

Call your emergency plumber if you need to unclog your toilets several times a month. They can help you determine if the issue is caused by paper towels or other absorbent tissues stuck in the pipes.

In extreme cases, mold and mildew may grow from the paper towel obstruction. This is a health risk and an emergency that requires an expert plumber’s intervention.

Contact Blue Collars for Urgent Plumbing Repairs

Blue Collars is a Charleston plumbing company with several years of experience serving our local communities. We offer 24/7 emergency plumbing and HVAC services and we can handle any type of issue, from partially clogged toilets to complete plumbing system assessments and repairs.

Call our team today to schedule a service or request an emergency visit.