I have recently been using paper towels to wipe my ass instead of toilet paper because I prefer the firmer texture. I feel that it takes fewer wipes to finish than it does with regular toilet paper and as a result I have actually clogged my toilet at a lower rate since starting. However I have recently become concerned from hearing anecdotes about people causing major plumbing issues like clogged, leaking, or burst pipes due to people using this method of post defecation hygiene management.

Resolution criteria

This market resolves YES if I experience major plumbing issues (requiring professional repair or replacement of pipes/septic components) that are directly attributable to using paper towels for this purpose. The issues must manifest within the duration of my lease agreement, which ends near the close of this market.

Major plumbing issues include but are not limited to: sewage backups into the apartment, burst or damaged pipes, septic tank failure, or blockages requiring professional hydro-jetting or pipe replacement. Minor clogs that can be resolved with a plunger or standard drain cleaner do not qualify.

This market resolves NO if no major plumbing issues occur by the time I move out of my apartment near the close of this market. As this market has somewhat subjective resolution criteria, I will not bet in this market.

Background

Paper towels do not break down in water, which means they will never break down in your septic system. Paper towels are thicker and specifically designed to be water-absorbent without breaking down, unlike toilet paper which is specifically designed to dissolve quickly inside your toilet. Tissues and paper towels can wreak absolute havoc on your plumbing if your home relies on a septic tank. Paper towels can accumulate in pipes when flushed, leading to clogs and backups that require professional septic system repair.

• Update 2025-12-31 (PST) (AI summary of creator comment): The market can resolve YES even if the creator stops using paper towels, as long as major plumbing issues are caused by paper towels that were already flushed before stopping the practice.