Is a "brick in the toilet" really a good idea to conserve water?

Question

Does putting a brick or something in the back of a toilet to displace water really conserve water? It doesn't hurt the toilet does it?

Answer 1

yes, it works, and no, it doesn't hurt anything. Just make sure the brick doesn't interfere with the float assembly in the tank. It also helps if the brick is solid, not one with holes in it as that kind doesn't displace as much water. You could also set the water level a little lower in the tank with the same results. All you are doing is changing the volume of water in the tank, but the brick allows you to do this with no adjustments.

Answer 2

Traditional toilets used a certain amount of water to flush with for a very good reason. And that reason was to get a complete flush. The new toilets that "save" water flush so ineffectively that they have to be flushed twice, and sometimes more. So they really don't "save water." What they do however is make a hell of a lot of money for manufacturers, and plumbers. It's the same old story, when something is forced into obsolescence, rather than becoming obsolete when something truly better comes along. It makes money. It's the same with all this baloney about how much "better" flourescent light bulbs are than incandescent. If they were better, would people not have to be bribed, and brow-beaten with propaganda in order for them to use them? There is talk in California and Nevada about outlawing incandescent bulbs. Now why in the world would they have to do that if flourescent bulbs were really better? People will use the best product without being told to, or forced to. As far a brick in a toilet goes....if you take a good healthy dump, and want it all flushed, leave the brick and the water bottle out.

Answer 3

A brick in the toilet isn't a good idea - you're re-engineering the way that the flow was intended by having less water available to flush. With the new 1.6 liter toilets, the amount of water used is already 1/2 of the old toilets.

In addition, the brick contains chemicals which may react with the rubber parts of the toilet mechanism. Also, any residue on the brick may end up being flushed down, so it is not clean water always entering the commode.

In general, bad idea with new toilets - too many potential downsides -

Answer 4

A brick will displace water from the tank and result in less water to raise the level high enough to stop the flow. You can, though, just adjust the float in your tank by either bending the rod downward or in some cases, adjust the rposition of the rod with an adjusting screw. These methods are better than a brick in the tank. Bricks will break down over time and add sediment to the water. This can get stuck in the valve and cause leakage and stains in your bowl

Answer 5

I live in an area that is in a SEVER drought. Here is a run down of what we have to do: 1) Surprisingly dishwashers use less water than hand washing. This is only a drawback if you have a garden because... 2) Since all outdoor watering was banned, we now use 'gray water' to feed the plants. This is water from the tub, shower or hand washing the dishes. I have to say I am amazed how much of it there is. 3) If you can water outside only water after sundown or before sunup. Use soaker hoses whenever possible instead of sprinklers. 4) Fill a one liter soda bottle with water and put in the back of your toilet tank after flushing. This reduces the volume of water needed to fill the tank. 5) Install low-flow shower heads & take quick showers not baths. 6) Only run the washing machine when you have a full load. 7) Wash your car every month or every other week (cut down the frequency). Good Luck!

Answer 6

This is effective because the water still fills up to normal height to give the proper amount of water pressure when the flush starts.

I recommend using a smaller brick and then fine tuning the flush volume by rotating the float (ball) on the end of the rod. Bend the metal rod a just slightly so that turning it varies the ball's height just a little. Adjust it so that you still get a satisfactory flush. If you have to double flush often, this will more than use up any of the savings.

Answer 7

It would be better to fill a 20 oz. bottle with sand so your not getting any debris from the brick in your tank. The answer is NO it won't hurt anything. It helps you save quite a bit on your water bill.
This may sound a little weird, and perhaps nasty, but flush every other time you go "tinkle". That will save quite a bit as well.
When you go to clean your toilet...Use baking soda or borax. It's easier on your lungs & the environment....

Answer 8

I was told by a plumber that the brick will eventually break down and hurt the toilet. He said I should use a 20-24 ounce plastic soda bottle and fill it with water. It saves a lot of water with repeated use.

Answer 9

As you said it just displaces water, so it takes less water to fill the toilet. I do it at home, I use old shampoo bottles, I put sand or little stones or something in it(I forget), put plastic wrap under the lids to keep anything from flowing out, closed the lids, stuck them in. They sit to the sides, don't do any harm.

Oh and if you ever go to replace your toilet, buy a dual flush toilet, it has one tank for when you pee, another for poop, each using different amounts of water, saves you even more money.

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/publications/en/rh-pr/tech/02-124-e.html

Answer 10

Do you really want to have less flushing power? Sometimes you really do need to have your maximum water load to properly get everthing flushed.
Are you actually "saving" water? NO! You don't spend water like it was money. The flushed water goes to the sewers and out to a water treatment plant. There it is purified, and they it goes back out to the lake to river to continue on. Water isn't lost. And you do not actually save much money, pennies a month, if that. BUT if putting a brick in you toilet makes you think you are helping something somehow, then you go right ahead.