Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Ecuador Expat Forum

Flushing toilet paper away

New Topic Newest First
Stetson1883
  4/16/2017 22:14 EST

I moved into an apartment and they have the typical policy of throwing away your toilet paper in the bin, rather than flush. Personally I detest handling used toilet paper and have been flushing "one wipe" away at a time. The waste goes down fine.

Can anyone tell me what could happen if I continue to do this? Will the buildings pipes burst? Will my toilet one day "throw up" all my old toilet paper?

I mean, it's to the point where I dread making a bowel movement!

Thanks for any info on this gross matter :)

windshadow
  4/16/2017 22:43 EST

Stetson,
I highly recommend you get a f'ing life! Have you ever considered a "shrink?"

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara ChacaEcuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca
Connect

With Offices in BOTH Ecuador and the US, Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move! Specializing in Ecuador Residency Visas plus converting from Temporary to Permanent Residency, Containers, Real Estate Closings, Wills and Estate Planning, Driver Licenses, Opening Businesses & Citizenship!

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara ChacaEcuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca

With Offices in BOTH Ecuador and the US, Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move! Specializing in Ecuador Residency Visas plus converting from Temporary to Permanent Residency, Containers, Real Estate Closings, Wills and Estate Planning, Driver Licenses, Opening Businesses & Citizenship!
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

LADDIED
  4/16/2017 23:27 EST

I believe this is a superstition in the Hispanic world. Most of us gringos will flush the stuff down with no problems. Keep a plunger handy just in case, but I have only used it once. If you have a bunch of kids visit you always have to worry about half a roll of toilet paper wrapped around a plastid toy.
My wife is from the Philippines and she absolutely refuses to flush the paper down, in spite of the fact that I have been doing it for 3 years with no problem.
Larry

withoutego
  4/17/2017 01:03 EST

WS

Funny thing. I did a cartoon a couple of years ago on this subject. It appeared in one of the Ecuador expat website since abandoned. Also in a glossy Cuenca mag also disappeared now.

A gleaming white ca-mode, white tile, the paper holder and a sign taped to the wall. Living here we see lots of these signs. "No paper in the toilet - put it in the bin!"

The caption, "For the Expat in Ecuador the learning curve includes toilet training"

True

My answer to your question is.....like many systems here there isn't much margin in the plumbing, costs are kept to a minimum when things are built and maintained. So stressing them isn't useful - if you depend on them and don't want a sewer backed-up don't add to the load more than you must.

This may be a hot button with some folks who are barely over their first experience of toilet training. In that case maybe psychiatric counseling would be useful. Consultation on the can as it were.

Me? I put it in the bin and forget about it til trash day. But I I admit to being crude. It simplifies many things. My interaction on this forum for example.

sincaca

OceanHideaway
  4/17/2017 01:06 EST

Windshadow

I'm sorry, however I am going to have to report you to the Admin.

You are aware that your negative outbursts are not acceptable in the upper forum

It will be the Administration's decision how best to handle your account privileges.

Susan
The Moderator

OceanHideaway
  4/17/2017 01:10 EST

The answer is both.

Depending on the building, the pipes, the age of the plumbing, and the health of the septic system, both of those are possible plus hidden cracks and seepage.

You may want to have your pipes checked.

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara ChacaEcuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca
Connect

With Offices in BOTH Ecuador and the US, Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move! Specializing in Ecuador Residency Visas plus converting from Temporary to Permanent Residency, Containers, Real Estate Closings, Wills and Estate Planning, Driver Licenses, Opening Businesses & Citizenship!

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara ChacaEcuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca

With Offices in BOTH Ecuador and the US, Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move! Specializing in Ecuador Residency Visas plus converting from Temporary to Permanent Residency, Containers, Real Estate Closings, Wills and Estate Planning, Driver Licenses, Opening Businesses & Citizenship!
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

doglover1773
  4/17/2017 10:55 EST

Depends on the pipes (so maybe how old your building is). From what I understand good quality new construction should have proper system in place where you can flush the TP.

USNseabee
  4/17/2017 11:39 EST

The main PROBLEM here is that the toilet paper is NOT made like it is in the states. It does NOT decompose in water like paper should. It builds up in the "GREASE" traps and the you have a MAJOR CLOG that you have to get someone to unclog. Also it really messes up a pumping station if you live near where there is one. The BEST toilet paper in Ecuador is Scott Supreme . It's 3 ply and works really good the waste water system. Just my opinion though. Have a "HAPPY WIPE".

windshadow
  4/17/2017 11:41 EST

Maybe I should just say "DISGUSTING!"

menotq
  4/17/2017 14:59 EST

You're being sarcastic right? I thought windshadows post was comical, that's why I gave your response a thumbs up. Just curious?

windshadow
  4/17/2017 16:54 EST

Menotq,
It was meant to be funny! Amazing how many have difficulty looking beyond the simple words being printed!
Thank you for your wisdom. Some people get their panties in a wad during their sensitive times I presume.
As for flushing the paper, don't do it. Flushing drives up the price of napkins. We only get one now with our desayunos.

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara ChacaEcuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca
Connect

With Offices in BOTH Ecuador and the US, Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move! Specializing in Ecuador Residency Visas plus converting from Temporary to Permanent Residency, Containers, Real Estate Closings, Wills and Estate Planning, Driver Licenses, Opening Businesses & Citizenship!

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara ChacaEcuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca

With Offices in BOTH Ecuador and the US, Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move! Specializing in Ecuador Residency Visas plus converting from Temporary to Permanent Residency, Containers, Real Estate Closings, Wills and Estate Planning, Driver Licenses, Opening Businesses & Citizenship!
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

windshadow
  4/17/2017 16:56 EST

Ooops, maybe I should have just said:

RECYCLE!

OceanHideaway
  4/18/2017 09:25 EST

Menotq,

Actually, we keep the snarky comments segregated to a separated area on this forum ... so no not a sarcastic response.

Unfortunately, some posters need to be reminded during their more manic phases that what they believe to be "witty" outbursts are often cruel, negative, and off-putting.

Since there is a place set aside for their personal spewing, so that new posters and those who enjoy having their questions answered without personal attack, moderating these posts and correcting this behavior for the benefit of the entire forum is necessary.

Towards that end, the Administration and Owners can at their discretion block and ban a poster who in their opinion has become a detriment to the site.

Once again: the Upper Forum is for Supportive, pleasant and responsible responses.

The Lower forum is the free-for all with more broadly drawn parameters of posting acceptability.

Susan
The Moderator

windshadow
  4/18/2017 10:10 EST

Susan,
Fantastic!

Grasshopper
  4/18/2017 15:30 EST

Stetson.. just ignore him. His guitar/mistress is seeing cello on the side and he walked in on them fingering each others strings. (so he is in "mood"

as your question.. man, you just have to get used to it. it is weird for expats at first, but it is better than having a lot of fun stuff back up into your shower.. (seriously.. from experience).

you'll get used to it

Hopper

windshadow
  4/18/2017 16:09 EST

Hopper,
How did you know?
Stetson,
Fantastic! Hope you got your number of lines increased so that you are now happy and wiping your stuff and drug testing yourself, and ....

Grasshopper
  4/18/2017 20:09 EST

Eh, it was just a lucky guess, Windy. You know how cellos can be (troublemakers)

I drug tested myself today.
(I looked in my baggie and it was negative.. damnit)

H

windshadow
  4/18/2017 22:17 EST

Hopper,
You are hilarious my friend. I guess that means you will need to return soon.
Hope all is well and springtime is to your liking. Now is a wonderful time in the mountains. Mushrooms etc.

JedEcuador
  8/5/2017 16:06 EST

You should follow standard South American policy and place your paper in the trash. If you can not do that, then ;;you should move back to where you came from.

JedEcuador
  8/5/2017 16:15 EST

When in South America do as South Americans or go back to where you came from.

Buddhaland
  8/5/2017 19:31 EST

Been here a year (Guayaquil, Quito) - never had a problem flushing TP at home, but I do use the trash can in public restrooms.

OceanHideaway
  8/5/2017 21:46 EST

BL

Do you have a private septic system or are you using common septic tubes to a common tube system?

If it is the first, private...no problem. Any issues with back up into your home.

If however you are using tubes in a condo building, even a modern one with adequately wide tubes, or you are on a municipal septic system, then you sir are causing issues down the line for your neighbors. That is rude. Stop flushing your toilet paper. While you may have no problems others soon will.

multiego
  8/5/2017 22:16 EST

WS

I thought you was disappeared! Does....you know who know you've reappeared?

seen

multiego
  8/5/2017 22:21 EST

thats the problem with the forced order of oldest at the top....I saw the post from WS and thought it was fresh.

I can't seem to un-default the order of posts. I want newest first vs reading the same stuff repeatedly or scrolling for ten minutes.

I thought WS had snuck back

sin

JedEcuador
  8/5/2017 22:24 EST

Time will truly tell.

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca
Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca

Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move!
Learn More

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara ChacaEcuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca

Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move!
Learn More

Living in Ecuador GuideLiving in Ecuador Guide

Expats in Ecuador share some of the pros and cons of living in Ecuador. Topics covered include where to live, the bureaucracy, the people and more.

Ecuador Forum Ecuador Forum
Join our Ecuador forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Ecuador.

Contribute to Ecuador Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Ecuador.

Best Places to Live in Ecuador Best Places to Live in Ecuador

If you're dreaming about living in Ecuador, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Ecuador in 2023.

Healthcare in EcuadorHealthcare in Ecuador

Expats in Ecuador share their experiences with healthcare and overseas medical insurance in Ecuador.

Cost of Living in EcuadorCost of Living in Ecuador

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Ecuador.

Moving to EcuadorMoving to Ecuador Guide

Expats in Ecuador offer advice to newcomers and people considering a move to Ecuador about clothing, sunscreen, renting before buying, gringo pricing, Ecuadorians politeness and much more.

Real Estate in EcuadorReal Estate in Ecuador

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Ecuador.

Pros Cons of Living in EcuadorPros & Cons of Living in Ecuador

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Ecuador.

Retiring in EcuadorRetiring in Ecuador

Advice for people retiring in Ecuador.

10 Tips for Living in Ecuador10 Tips for Living in Ecuador

If you've recently arrived in Ecuador, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Ecuador.

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca
Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca

Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move!
Learn More

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara ChacaEcuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca

Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move!
Learn More

Contribute to Ecuador Network Contribute
Help others in Ecuador by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Ecuador.

GeoBlue
GeoBlue

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal