Short Answer:
RV plumbing systems are sensitive and even require RV safe toilet paper.
People of all ages have begun adopting wipes to improve hygiene after restroom use.
“Flushable” wipes aren’t so flushable and could be the culprit in your RV toilet clog.
There are wet wipe alternatives that can be used with RV safe toilet paper and provide the same hygienic benefits as wipes.
RV Plumbing Systems Are Sensitive.
You are finally out on the open road, worry-free, when an RV plumbing issue strikes. Most RV owners are told during the RV purchase process that the RV plumbing system is sensitive.
But why is the plumbing so sensitive? First, not all RV toilets are placed above the black water tank, which means that whatever is flushed moves through a series of pipes to reach the black water tank. Water pressure in the RV is not strong, so clogging these pipes is relatively easy.
Second, even if your toilet is located directly above your black water tank, flushed materials can build up and harden in your black water tank, making it difficult for chemicals to dissolve the mass and, ultimately, leading to an RV toilet clog.
You can find detailed instructions on how to identify and resolve your RV toilet clog issue here.
Use only RV safe toilet paper to prevent RV toilet clogs.
We know that RV toilet clogs can occur frequently due to sensitive RV plumbing systems, so what can you do?
- Use only RV safe toilet paper. RV toilet paper is specifically designed with the purpose of disintegrating quickly in water. Other types of toilet paper and wet wipes can be created with different purposes, such as to provide additional comfort or to prevent tearing during use. These characteristics can inhibit rapid disintegration and can lead to an RV toilet clog.
- Flush often. Frequent flushing means that less material is traveling through your RV pipes at any given time, which is more ideal for the less-than-ideal water pressure.
- Remember the three Ps. Only poop, pee, and (RV safe toilet) paper should be flushed down your RV toilet. That’s it!
Looking for the best RV safe toilet paper? You can watch a helpful RV toilet paper test here to test your own paper, or you can purchase some of the pre-tested RV safe toilet paper identified on the site.
“Flushable” wipes are not necessarily safe for RV toilets.
We get it! Some people like using wet wipes after taking care of business. They leave you feeling clean, comfortable, and ready to attack the day. But wipes, even the so called “flushable” wipes, can lead to RV toilet clogs and should not be used as a substitute for RV safe toilet paper.
We have written extensively about the debate on whether wipes are flushable here. The consensus seems to be that, if you want to ensure clean pipes, you should only flush toilet paper. This is especially the case with RV toilets, which are much more sensitive than the average toilet.
You can watch an RV owner’s wipe disintegration test here, and also hear opinions to steer clear of wipes in your RV.
Toilet paper spray is a great alternative to flushable wipes for RV toilets.
Don’t worry, we’ve got your back . . . side. If you are used to the comforts of wipes, but want to avoid RV toilet clogs, try toilet paper spray. We’ve detailed the ins and outs of what toilet paper spray is, how it works, and why it’s great here. Essentially, you can spray RV safe toilet paper with toilet paper spray and wipe as usual. You get the hygienic benefits of wipes, but without jeopardizing your RV plumbing system.