is it safe to put a brick in the cistern of my toilet?

Question

i just was reading that its possible this can actually damage the toilet. has anyone done this? had any problems or is there another way to reduce the water used to flush? p.s not things that i would have to go out and buy specially

Answer 1

Brick wrapped in plastic (bubble-wrap or even just a carrier bag) will protect it from crumbling or moulding. Alternatively, a large margarine tub, water bottle or similar container filled with water and sealed will work just as well. Read more here: http://www.biggreenswitch.co.uk/water_saving/reduce-toilet-flushing-water

Answer 2

I have heard that a brick soaking in water can release little bits of grit that will makes the valves leak. A glass bottle would be OK, but not necessary. The whole idea of the brick is the make each flush use less water. But there is a better way. There are flapper valves with adjustable floats that can do the same job. You can get them at Home Depot or Lowes for about $5. I know, you don't want to buy anything, but this is really cheap and no tools are needed to install it. It is these valves that might leak due to the brick, causing the toilet to refill the tank every so often even when you aren't using it, which wastes water. So when you need to replace a leaking one, why not replace it with the one with the float next time?

Answer 3

I don't see how it would damage your system in any way. I have done this for years and have never seen any ill effects.

One thing to watch out for is the type of toilet that you have. Newer ones are designed to already use the minimal amount of water per flush. If you put the brick in, you are reducing that amount even further. This could result in your having to flush twice from time to time to get the desired results. This takes away all the advantages of having the brick in there in the first place. If your toilet is older though, it should be just fine.

Answer 4

I did used to have a couple of big stones from the beach instead of a brick, which will in time break down and crumble and may cause damage within your system, so when I had a new cistern I filled a black current bottle full of water, then put the top off expelling all air when doing it, then carefully laid in in the bottom of the tank, works wonderfully, saves a good pint each flush, try that !?

Answer 5

Brick in the cistern is abs fine
There is an area next to the ballcock that is just big enough for the brick to fit... (makes u wonder if it was something they knew we were gonna be asked to do, and the loo comes ready prepared!! lol)
Sometimes if you use some sort of freshener like a squirt of duck or harpic after each time you go then its ok to flush after every say third wee. But if someones on the number 2's then EVERY time is best for that,
MAKE SURE YOU DONT USE BLEACH in between a wee tho; cos especially for men... bleach and the amonia in men wee will rise up whilst being weed on, and knock a chap out. And ya dont want to find him in the loo with his willy out do you girls????????

So YES its OK to put a brick in the cistern

Have a great day!
PW xx

Answer 6

SAVE WATER SAVE MONEY
Anything will do even a squash bottle full of water. We have engineering bricks in ours because that is what we had kicking around. Re-use something you already have. Do not go out to buy bricks. That is madness.

'If it is yellow let it mellow. If it is brown flush it down'

Don't flush more than once. This only works because you are reducing the amount of water you are using. Cuts down on water bills which is great.

Answer 7

I got a gel packet free from Seven Trent Water to put in my cistern that does the same job, maybe your water company does something similar.

I don't know if a brick will damage your cistern. Sorry.

Answer 8

In the USA, a "brick" is their word for what is known in the UK as a "cistern block", so Americans put bricks in their toilet cisterns to keep them fresh and clean!

Answer 9

A brick in the cistern is a really old trick to save water. It especially useful if you have a meter on your water supply.

Answer 10

I don't see how it would damage it if it were at the bottom of the cistern...but then I'm not a plumber! Can you not buy special things to put into the cistern for this purpose as I'm sure I've heard of that before?