Comments on: Frugal Home Improvement Idea: Red Brick vs. High Efficiency Toilet

By: Pretty Green Living » Do You Need a New Toilet? Part 1

Pretty Green Living » Do You Need a New Toilet? Part 1 — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:25:25 +0000

[...] my research, I came across a post by The Passive Dad who explored this in detail, comparing his existing toilet water usage to the cost and water usage [...]

By: Dave Sanders

Dave Sanders — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:15:20 +0000

Brick or HET? A true dilema for frugal folks who are also very concerned about water conservation and the environment. We’re in the middle of looking at this right now in a series of posts on toilet efficiency at our blog (www.blog.greenteamre.com). We even built a spreadsheet model for ourselves and others to use to analyze displacement vs. replacement options, water savings and payback. And, as a preview to the next post in our series, we’ll be choosing HET over the brick (or similar method of displacement) because, although frugal, here in water-scarce Colorado, we feel compelled to do our bit to subsidize water conservation.

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 05:18:12 +0000

A toilet is definitely something you can do yourself, though pulling up the old wax ring is on the gross side.

I’ve always wondered if, with the brick method, you get enough water flushing down to handle the, er, big jobs. I like the dual-flush toilets that let you pick how much water you need.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:57:21 +0000

Your blog provides a fresh look at the subject. You might want to take a look at my blog and possibly become a regular reader.

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By: Andrea

Andrea — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:43:07 +0000

I have 2 points –

-NEVER use a brick, it can dissolve and interfere with the flushing or clog your pipes.

Also, a regular toilet is not designed to flush paper and solid waste with reduced amounts of water, so the likelihood of clogging or having to flush twice after installing a water displacement device increases. Standard US toilets clear the bowl with siphon technology, so the diameter of the trap way has to be a small as possible (please view siphon vs. washdown technology here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z6pymOet7g&feature=channel_page.) If you are serious about saving water, want a toilet that really works and is affordable, I would highly recommend a Caroma Dual Flush toilet. Caroma toilets offer a patented dual flush technology consisting of a 0.8 Gal flush for liquid waste and a 1.6 Gal flush for solids. Caroma, an Australian company set the standard by giving the world its first successful two button dual flush system in the nineteen eighties and has since perfected the technology. Also, with a full 3.5” trap way, these toilets virtually never clog. All of Caroma’s toilets are on the list of WaterSense labeled HET’s http://www.epa.gov/watersense/pp/find_het.htm and also qualify for several rebate programs currently available throughout the US as well as LEED points. Please go to http://www.caromausa.com for more detailed information or visit http://www.ecotransitions.com/howto.asp to see how we flush a potato with the half flush (0.8 gallons), meant for liquid waste. To learn more about toilets you can also visit my blog http://pottygirl.wordpress.com/.

Best regards, Andrea Paulinelli

By: The Frugal 5 part Deux! | Semi Frugal Guy

The Frugal 5 part Deux! | Semi Frugal Guy — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:57:51 +0000

[...] The Passive Dad – Frugal Home Improvement Idea: Red Brick vs. High Efficiency Toilet - an interesting idea from The Passive Dad, I never knew there was that much difference in toilet design. I like the red brick idea; I might have to try that on my throne! [...]

By: megscole64

megscole64 — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 02:30:13 +0000

I’d go with a brick (or whatever else). Every single low flow toilet I’ve ever come in contact with has been a nightmare. My mom had one installed in her house and the store SWORE it had the power of a regular toilet.

Yeah right. It clogs over nothing.

Besides, I just don’t think the cost savings is worth it. But that’s just me.

By: Jesse@PFFirewall

Jesse@PFFirewall — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 05:19:40 +0000

I would definitely go with the HET toilet as it would help the environment and your monthly bill especially if the water usage fee increases in your area. It may take time to pay itself off but it will, and you will be helping the world in the process.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 02:41:04 +0000

Dual flush that you install yourself. Absolutely no question there for me. And you can check to see if this qualifies for even more rebates or deductions with the IRS. They’re including lots of “energy efficiency” and green things these days. Maybe you can make the case for the toilet?

By: Mike @ TheThriftyLife

Mike @ TheThriftyLife — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 23:55:30 +0000

I don’t really have an opinion on the toilet vs. brick. But I do have a word of wisdom on the brick. Choose something else. Like a plastic bag filled with water – they sell ones the specifically won’t degrade over time in water. You just need to replace the volume of water you want to save, so just make sure to pick something that won’t degrade over time.

The problem with the brick is that its not water proof. So over time the brick will break apart and you will have sediment creep its way through the system. Which isn’t good for the toilet or the system in general.