BajaNomad - An Indiscreet Question on an Indelicate Subject

An Indiscreet Question on an Indelicate Subject

agrd - 11-4-2011 at 05:33 PM

In preparing for a trip to Baja, I learned that in Baja and possibly all of Mexico, toilet paper isn't flushed down the toilet--it's placed in a covered receptacle and taken out with the garbage. The reason given is that the plumbing in Mexico isn't up to handling toilet paper.

This strikes me as rather odd. I've lived in third-world countries and never encountered this before. Presumably, if Mexico has conventional toilets and septic systems, toilet paper should be no problem. It has short fibers and is designed to disintegrate in water. I wonder if the prohibition isn't a holdover, based on the fact that some Mexicans, apparently even now, use newspaper or magazine pages, which could definitely clog the system. If this prohibition has been passed on and never questioned, it could be an artifact.

Are there any plumbing contractors in the audience who could provide an expert opinion, or others who have flushed toilet paper for an extended period with no negative effects on the system?

DENNIS - 11-4-2011 at 05:41 PM

Great first post, agrd. Welcome to BajaNomad.

It just depends on where you are, I mean....other than the bathroom. Newer plumbing will handle paper and older probably won't. Just look for the recepticle next to the Taza and follow the clues.
If you can't make a decision from what you see, just put the soiled paper in your pocket and dispose of it when you get home. :tumble:

DENNIS - 11-4-2011 at 05:44 PM

By the way.....toilet paper is less expensive than newspapers down here, so that reasoning is invalid.

desertcpl - 11-4-2011 at 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Great first post, agrd. Welcome to BajaNomad.

It just depends on where you are, I mean....other than the bathroom. Newer plumbing will handle paper and older probably won't. Just look for the recepticle next to the Taza and follow the clues.
If you can't make a decision from what you see, just put the soiled paper in your pocket and dispose of it when you get home. :tumble:

thats funny

agrd
i think all you mentioned is correct, with one exception, its not in a covered recepticle, plus bring your own TP

Udo - 11-4-2011 at 05:47 PM

EEWWWE...GROSS!

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Great first post, agrd. Welcome to BajaNomad.

... just put the soiled paper in your pocket and dispose of it when you get home. :tumble:

AH...the Big TP Question....

CasaManzana - 11-4-2011 at 05:51 PM

Here at Posada Concepcion (Mulege) we are told that the sewer lines do not have the proper slope, thus TP will dry up half way down and cause issues in the line before reaching the tank. Our place on the mainland, and on a hillside, they say no problemo senor.
Here's the perfect toilet-

rob - 11-4-2011 at 05:51 PM

agrd - if you ever live with a septic tank system, you will thank guests who follow the custom. Its just the difference between having to clean the septic tank system of the accumulated junk sooner rather than later.

DENNIS - 11-4-2011 at 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by desertcpl

its not in a covered recepticle, plus bring your own TP

Most definitly not a covered recepticle. Who in their right mind would touch it to remove the lid?

Cypress - 11-4-2011 at 05:54 PM

If your digestive tract is functioning properly you don't need toilet paper. Do any other animals have to wipe their behinds? Name one. :biggrin:

DENNIS - 11-4-2011 at 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
If your digestive tract is functioning properly you don't need toilet paper. Do any other animals have to wipe their behinds? Name one. :biggrin:

I saw a dog in a TV commercial do it on the white carpet. Pretty smart dog, I think. He'd probably have a lot of trouble using Charmin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psP5G7aodj8

.

[Edited on 11-5-2011 by DENNIS]

woody with a view - 11-4-2011 at 06:03 PM

without following the link i'm thinking, TOBY!!!!!

Cypress - 11-4-2011 at 06:03 PM

DENNIS, That's funny! Saw it to. Todo!!!! :biggrin:

desertcpl - 11-4-2011 at 06:06 PM

and if your in a classy place in MX, some times they put the brown side down

:?:

mtgoat666 - 11-4-2011 at 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
If your digestive tract is functioning properly you don't need toilet paper

your shorts must be filthy.

mcfez - 11-4-2011 at 06:22 PM

My rule of travel is this:

no receptacle / down that express way to McDonalds.

receptacle / just place it in there.

or....just dont leave your car.

car-toilet.jpg - 21kB

BajaRat - 11-4-2011 at 06:32 PM

You use toilet paper

Bob and Susan - 11-4-2011 at 06:42 PM

the correct answer is...

old customs from childhood

in the old days a septic system was a hole in the ground
the "bad stuff" just sat there and "leached"
if you flushed paper it filled the hole in no time

modern 3 chamber systems can clean the "bad stuff"
the paper is eaten by bacteria

the reasons mexicans dont flush is they grew up differently
this is why even home depot and mcdonalds place trash cans in the bathrooms

Woooosh - 11-4-2011 at 06:43 PM

My Mexican family puts the used TP in a receptacle next to the toilet. Uncovered. My American family thinks that's just too gross for comprehension and flushes it. We built the house with 3" pipes, so no problem either way- just tradition.

agrd - 11-4-2011 at 06:46 PM

Thanks for your replies.

Quote:

Newer plumbing will handle paper and older probably won't. Just look for the recepticle next to the Taza and follow the clues.

The thing is, people may put out a receptacle just because everyone else does, even though it may not be necessary?

Quote:

By the way.....toilet paper is less expensive than newspapers down here, so that reasoning is invalid.

Probably a lot of the newspapers are discarded or would be purchased anyway? TP would just be an extra expense or one more thing to bring home. I'm sure there's an explanation.

Quote:

Here at Posada Concepcion (Mulege) we are told that the sewer lines do not have the proper slope, thus TP will dry up half way down and cause issues in the line before reaching the tank.

Unless these are open ditches, sewer lines are closed, so no one could see inside them, and they're kept continually damp by sewage, so it shouldn't dry.

Quote:

if you ever live with a septic tank system, you will thank guests who follow the custom. Its just the difference between having to clean the septic tank system of the accumulated junk sooner rather than later.

I've had a septic system in the US for most of the past 17 years and never had to clean it. It got cleaned once after 10 years and wasn't even close to full. Anyway, I'm happy to have the tank pumped once every few years if it means I can flush the paper.

Has anyone flushed paper even where there was a receptacle and not encountered a problem? I mean, if a system can handle human waste, it surely ought to be able to handle toilet paper.

agrd - 11-4-2011 at 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
the correct answer is...

old customs from childhood

in the old days a septic system was a hole in the ground
the "bad stuff" just sat there and "leached"
if you flushed paper it filled the hole in no time

modern 3 chamber systems can clean the "bad stuff"
the paper is eaten by bacteria

the reasons mexicans dont flush is they grew up differently
this is why even home depot and mcdonalds place trash cans in the bathrooms

That's what I thought. Thanks.

agrd - 11-4-2011 at 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
My Mexican family puts the used TP in a receptacle next to the toilet. Uncovered. My American family thinks that's just too gross for comprehension and flushes it. We built the house with 3" pipes, so no problem either way- just tradition.

Again, this is what I thought. Thanks.

BajaGuera - 11-4-2011 at 07:42 PM

Why take the chance? If there's a box next to the escusado - use it.

BornFisher - 11-4-2011 at 08:33 PM

Depends!

Roberto - 11-4-2011 at 08:51 PM

I can tell you that the high-end office building I work in in TJ, in the Zona Rio, can't take toilet paper in the taza, except in small quantities. So much for "old customs".

landyacht318 - 11-4-2011 at 09:37 PM

I think it is habit. There is no reason for a receptacle in a plumbingless outhouse, but I have seen them in there, and been like "WTF?"

It depends on the size of the turd......

sanquintinsince73 - 11-4-2011 at 10:47 PM

For example if you tend to leave behind a rectum wrecker like this one, drop the toilet paper in the trash can.

http://youtu.be/OuK8QMpzG94

wakemall - 11-4-2011 at 11:29 PM

just poop

Cypress - 11-5-2011 at 05:33 AM

mtgoat666, Shorts? Don't need no steenken shorts!

Cardon Man - 11-5-2011 at 08:23 AM

Just remember the TP rule..."Brown side down." :lol:

Pescador - 11-5-2011 at 08:32 AM

The reality is that paper, even so called bio-degradable does not fully disintegrate. When you have to have the system pumped out you will always find a residue of paper. Natural stuff on the other hand does fully decompose and should never need pumping. So, if you are using a septic tank, you are well advised to avoid all paper, grease, hygiene products, etc., and you should never have to pump the septic.

We had a newbie come to town and with his wife and two daughters there was no way they were going to accumulate toilet paper, even for 20 minutes, so down it went. His system plugged up in the first two months. When they decided that was not a valid solution, then they started collecting paper and it no longer went down the toilet.

Because I was involved in water and sewage treatement, I can tell you that one of the big problems in water treatment is the cellulose from paper. Most people flush it down, out of sight and out of mind, but the treatment people have a whole different view of the stuff.

After getting used to the Mexican system, we always had to remind ourselves that when we stopped at a friends house in the ritzy section of Phoenix, we had to make sure that we remembered. I did not want to be the cause of a heart attack when she found the remnants of my morning chores in the waste paper basket.

El Jefe - 11-5-2011 at 08:41 AM

How about a statesman like compromise on this vexing issue?

Flush the poopy paper. Put the peepee paper in the basket.

oladulce - 11-5-2011 at 08:54 AM

I searched the TP aisle for 20 min the other day looking for Mexican paper that was labeled "septic safe" or anything that referred to "septico". I only found 1 brand before my eyes glazed over. Obviously not a big demand for it here.

nbacc - 11-5-2011 at 08:57 AM

At least get the one ply if you are gonna put it down. We use it in the USA and in our Mexico house. Oh...husband is a plumber. Lucky me. Nancy

Jack Swords - 11-5-2011 at 09:03 AM

Popular topic of the day...marine heads should use paper designed with very short fibers to flush down the narrow throat of the marine toilet. No "basket" used here. One test is to put the marine toilet paper in a jar of water, shake, and it should flow out through a nail sized hole in the lid due to the short fibers. Perhaps a bit more expensive, but so is septic plumbing.

Barry A. - 11-5-2011 at 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nbacc
At least get the one ply if you are gonna put it down. We use it in the USA and in our Mexico house. Oh...husband is a plumber. Lucky me. Nancy

The real problem with "one ply" is that you have to use 4 times as much paper (in my experience)--------so what is accomplished???

Barry

durrelllrobert - 11-5-2011 at 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
If your digestive tract is functioning properly you don't need toilet paper. Do any other animals have to wipe their behinds? Name one. :biggrin:

sanquintinsince73 - 11-5-2011 at 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
If your digestive tract is functioning properly you don't need toilet paper. Do any other animals have to wipe their behinds? Name one. :biggrin:

Remind me never to stand in line behind you... :lol:

http://youtu.be/DZR1gSvnOI0

[Edited on 11-5-2011 by sanquintinsince73]

durrelllrobert - 11-5-2011 at 10:08 AM

Quote:

This is the way it is still done in rural South Korea (including "famous" retstaurants

Woooosh - 11-5-2011 at 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGuera
Why take the chance? If there's a box next to the escusado - use it.

our puppies had a field day with the used TP... eeew.

toilet

bacquito - 11-5-2011 at 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Roberto
I can tell you that the high-end office building I work in in TJ, in the Zona Rio, can't take toilet paper in the taza, except in small quantities. So much for "old customs".

They probably used small pipes leading from the toilet to the main drain.
I've been told that is the problem in older systems.

DENNIS - 11-5-2011 at 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by oladulce
I searched the TP aisle for 20 min the other day looking for Mexican paper that was labeled "septic safe" or anything that referred to "septico". I only found 1 brand before my eyes glazed over. Obviously not a big demand for it here.

That may be because most waste systems are Cesspools rather than Septic Tanks with leech lines etc..
I agree with the single thickness paper idea. I can't find it here and I've looked. No problem....Scott 1000 bought in the states is single ply and I buy a bunch when I'm there.

An old rural remedy for paper shortage is to use your hand and clean your fingers with one square of TP. A roll will last a long time if you know how to economize. :saint:

capt. mike - 11-5-2011 at 10:57 AM

the japanese mfgr many commodes which obviate the need for TP.

they are pricey but i'd love to have one.
i believe $$ on them will come down and you'll see them at the big box stores.

sanquintinsince73 - 11-5-2011 at 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Hope they don't use that hand to make tacos.

bufeo - 11-5-2011 at 11:43 AM

The heads on our boat and the bathrooms in our Punta Bufeo house carried the same signs on the bulkheads (walls):

"If you haven't eaten or drunk it first, it doesn't go into the toilet."

Allen R

DENNIS - 11-5-2011 at 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sanquintinsince73
Hope they don't use that hand to make tacos.

It's a sure cure for nail biting as well.

sanquintinsince73 - 11-5-2011 at 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by sanquintinsince73
Hope they don't use that hand to make tacos.

It's a sure cure for nail biting as well.

Wonder if I could get in trouble for doing that to my kid? :light:

krafty - 11-5-2011 at 12:08 PM

In this land of sun and fun, you never flush for number one. Rule in our house when we were growing up, on the beach back east, with a septic system. Tossing paper optional!

bacquito - 11-5-2011 at 12:26 PM

[Edited on 11-7-2011 by bacquito]

In conjunction with this topic

durrelllrobert - 11-6-2011 at 11:16 AM

I have always heard that because manure that was shipped on early sailing vessels (why i never understood) would produce explosive methane gas if it got wet. Therefore it was placed in bags hung from the overhead bulkhead and appropriately labled S.H.*.T meaning "Ship High in Transit"

This issue is specifically addressed by the folks at the Online Etymology Dictionary who say that "Despite what you have heard , 's*it' is not an acronym."

The Merriiam-Webster dictionary dates the word back to 1526 and says that is is from the Old English scite and akin to a related word -scitan and means to defecate.

A writer for the Online Etymology Dictionary points out that the use acronyms didn't develop until the 20th century so a word that is hundreds of years old would not have originated as an acronym.

:biggrin:

Marinero - 11-7-2011 at 12:35 PM

An amazing thread. Who knew there was so much to say?

dtutko1 - 11-7-2011 at 02:16 PM

Our Mexican septic tank is mostly filled with chushed plastic bottles. This give the good bacteria more surface area to do its job on. No toilet paper problems.

mcfez - 11-7-2011 at 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bacquito

Quote:

They probably used small pipes leading from the toilet to the main drain.
I've been told that is the problem in older systems.

I heard that before too...over on the mainland.

BajaDove - 11-8-2011 at 07:13 AM

If a paper basket is provided it's rude not to use it. even if the pipes hold it the septic tanks fill with ... The plastic bag has handles or a draw string and no one is going to examiner the contents.

Iflyfish - 11-8-2011 at 10:02 AM

"If it ain't anal it ain't funny" Erick Berne

I know that on the mainland there is a small box outside each house attached to the system that quickly collects paper and gets filled so needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. So the rule is use the trash can for the toilet paper or clog the system. There is a reason that Mexicans don't flush paper, it isn't just tradition!

I have a very good Nomad friend who has had his system plug so many times he has finally accepted the local practice. You get used to it.

If you are visiting someone in Mexico you would certainly not want to plug their system. It is a major task to clean a clogged system. Ask if you don't know how it is done where you are visiting.

Iflyfish

Barry A. - 11-8-2011 at 11:05 AM

Well said, Fish. I agree 100%!!!

Barry

DENNIS - 11-8-2011 at 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Iflyfish
Ask if you don't know how it is done where you are visiting.

Preferably, while dining. It's Mexico....the only place on earth where it's acceptable to discuss Diarrhea at the dinner table.