i am in college and live in a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with 2 roommates.

recently, the bathroom in my room clogged and maintenance came in and fixed it. they said that it clogged because i was using too much toilet paper. i barely use any paper and have never had this problem in my previous apartments or homes. (still though, im sure i am using more paper than the normal person obviously.)

the clogging happened again yesterday and my plunger doesnt fix it so i made another maintenance request. i personally dont think its the paper and think its a problem with the toilet. the witch maintenance lady emailed me back saying i will be fined if the problem is due to negligence on my part. she said maintenance is busy today and will come in tommorrow and i can use my roommates bathroom in the meantime. i just blew up at that point.

i want to cry. i hate using my roommates bathroom because im conscious of how loud i am. i dont think im even using too much paper but i have no way to prove it, and if i am using too much paper theres nothing i can even do about it. i use the bare minimum and flush continuously in between so as not to clog.

do different types of paper dissolve differently? i am using the cheapest type, perhaps its not dissolving? i wash my butt with water but our stool is so liquidy we have to wipe atleast a little. i dont know what to do and am so frustrated. my only other option is to throw away the wipe in a bag.

and i hate this lady. isnt there some law against this?

Some landlords are simply beasts and there is no polite way to deal with them. However, you are sort of stuck in the situation and I can understand your problem because you need a long term solution.

It is easy to assume you are using too much TP, since that is the typical cause. But, it may have more to do with the waste lines in your building and in particular, the bends and angles in the waste lines from your bathroom. If it is an older building, I would not be surprised if there is long term build up of sludge that narrows the line at the bends. In that case, practically anything can cause a back up. If the line had not been properly cleared after the first clog (as in cleared to the street or at least to the ground floor, instead of just a little ways), this can be recurring without it being any fault of your own.

While it seems downright nasty for her to threaten you with a fine if negligence is found on your part, it can also be seen as fair warning of her rights (just in a nasty way). Plus, it would have to actually be proven that you were negligent in some way. Bringing up a shred of TP is not proof because if there is a tree root or something else in the line, there will be TP caught up on it. There are TPs that dissolve faster. Look for the ones that say safe for septic tanks.

Most communities have legal aid centers for help with dealing with landlord/tenant issues that can give you advice regarding your rights, which vary from state to state and from city to city too. In most cases you have a right to live in a dwelling that is sanitary and safe. If the toilet backs up frequently, it is not particularly sanitary and as long as you are doing your part in reasonable care and maintenance, she should do her part too without threats of fines. I am not sure that landlords can even legally levy fines. That is up to the courts. They usually can only pass on a fee for service that is not part of their required maintenance. I would print up those emails and take them to the legal aid office to see if she has overstepped her boundaries.

I found this link of Houston legal aid offices that you may find useful:
http://www.ehvlp.org/clients/Resource_Referral.aspx

Jan

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jan Dollar,

Yep, she's basically a witch. One other thing you can try just to see how things go (and to prove your point) is to dispose of all your tp in a plastic bag and throw it in the garbage. If your toilet clogs again, you have absolute proof that it's not your fault. I would certainly want this situation fixed because NOT having a working toilet would be a nightmare. Or more of a nightmare.

kathy

Of course, toilets are designed to handle toilet paper and if it did not clog without using toilet paper, you'd be back where you started. But, if you want to do that, I guess it makes sense. Although, are you willing to stop using paper? My guess is that she would not believe you even if you saved the TP and showed it to her. She could always say that someone else flushed a tampon down there.

Hey, I just re-read your post and it sounds like you aren't even dealing with the landlord, but with the building maintenance supervisor. If this is true, I really don't think she can fine or charge you anything. Only your landlord can pass costs on to you. You may want to read your rental contract.

Jan

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jan Dollar,

I have problems with toilet paper not flushing with the first flush and many times needing two. I've called the plumber several times with back ups.

He suggested using Scott brand because it is septic tank safe and is designed to disintegrated better.

Just a thought.. It doesn't excuse the way maintenance is handling the situation.

Apparently Dave Barry is running for President of the United States and the first thing he's going to do is jail the person who invented low-flush toilets. According to Dave, toilets used to be able to flush full-grown sheep.

Yes, Scott is really good. Or use any tp designated for septic use. You're also doing the pre-emptive flush so that's helpful. I don't know if you have a toilet that flushes longer if you hold the handle down longer, but perhaps you can discuss that with your landlord/lady.

kathy

Have you thought about going to your landlord and explaining that you

a) have a medical issues that requires prompt response for the fixing of the toilet

b) despite having a medical issue you are being very responsible with the use of toilet paper.

Maybe the landlord will then become human and treat you much better.

Just a thought.

Sounds like your toilet may be suffering from a a partial "blockage". A "scope" in the hands of a competent plumber may be required for a proper diagnosis! I suggest you not worry about being found responsible for costs as a properly functioning toilet does not "plug" easily.
In the meantime, you might make sure the t-paper is competely wet before attemting to flush. Don't, hold the handle down or flush in rapid succession because the supply tank will not fill with sufficent water. If there is not enough water going into the supply tank, you can always just pour a pail of water directly into the bowl.

i have been using the squirt bottle as suggested and it is working great. i then throw away the paper in the trash can. do u just use a regular water bottle with a squirt or something more powerful?

I used to be a landload and what I did when a tenant had a plugged toilet was to call a plummer to fix it. If the plumber found combs, toys, etc. the bill went to the tenant. If the plumber found that the drain was clogged from long term buildup, regular use, roots, etc. then I paid the bill. This was all spelled out in the lease.

Check your rental agreement to see how it reads and then maybe you can suggest such a solution.

Good Luck!
Jim

I am with you Jim. There is no way she should be putting used toilet paper in the trash. Even with using the squirt bottle before wiping, it is not a sanitary practice.

Jan

I would call a plumber and have them check it out. If there is a major build up in the pipes, then you can take that proof to the landlord. Either way I would not pay a fine because their pipes are old and clogged!

Given the fact that we j pouchers need the best and softest toilet tissue, Charmin plus aloe and lotion on my bottom for 20 years now, I don't think Scott will be good for your bottom.

I use Seventh Generation single ply TP and don't have any problems with it. As a matter of fact, I don't really like those soft types because of the 'feel' of them or the scent. I also have the feeling (my opinion only....) that products with additives (lotion, scents, chemicals) may be increasing allergies and sensitivies in this country.

I do have a septic tank and also grew up with a septic tank so using septic friendly tp has been the norm. Having a working septic system is important to me so I'll use (or not use) whatever product I need to achieve that. My butt doesn't have any problems with septic friendly tp's. All you can do is try them and see if they work for you.

kathy

I am glad you got my email and decided to try out the squirt bottle. I get mine in the maternity ward of a hospital. When I first had my surgery, the bottle was introduced to me from day 1 and it has been my savior, especially when your bottom is so raw and any type of rubbing is irritating.
And in your case, you use little tp since you are squirting yourself thoroughly clean and just patting yourself dry. You can also buy them on line but you will need to order 12.