Toilet Birthdays

This site is for you, the people. But it’s not for all of the people. Unlike other sites out there that narcissistically state they are for everyone, we are not. No, we are targeting a very specific group of people. I am referring to, of course, people who have a toilet.

Granted in this fast-paced world, how does one know if they have a toilet? I’m sure there are a few of you reading this right now, and saying, “I have an iPhone why would I need a toilet?” You make an interesting point. But still, why not take a moment to complete this very simple exercise to help you determine, with apologies to Jeff Foxworthy, if you just might have a toilet:

1. Get up.
2. Walk into the bathroom.
3. Look for toilet.

If there is no toilet, please stop reading. This site is not for you, and life’s too short for you to be inside reading about toilets when you could be outside using your iPhone. But if there is one, congratulations, now let’s figure out what to do with it.

So You Have A Toilet:

In your home, the bathroom accounts for over 50 percent of the indoor water used. According to most estimates, your toilet uses nearly 30 percent of that “bathroom water.” Those numbers don’t need to be that high.

1. When purchasing a new or replacement toilet, consider buying a low-flow toilet that will reduce indoor water use by almost 20 percent. Low-flow units are now required by many building codes and local water utilities often offer toilet rebate programs, which can save you money.

2. If you can’t afford (or are not allowed) to replace your toilet, consider putting a plastic bottle or a plastic bag weighted with pebbles and filled with water in your toilet tank. Displacing water in this manner allows you to use less water with each flush, saving 5-10 gallons a day. That's almost 300 gallons a month! Just be sure the bottle or bag does not interfere with the operating parts of the toilet.

3. Checking your toilet for leaks can be both conservation-conscious and fun. Simply add a few drops of food coloring to your tank. If your toilet is leaking, color will appear in the toilet bowl within 30 minutes without flushing. By plugging the leaks, you will save almost 400 gallons of wasted water per month. Please remember to flush your toilet as soon as the test is done, as food coloring left sitting may stain.

4. Look for old, rusted or warped parts in your toilet and replace or adjust the handle on your toilet if it regularly sticks in the flush position. Most replacement parts are inexpensive and easy to install, and a well-functioning toilet can save you more than 300 gallons per month.

5. Ask yourself, “Do I really need to flush this often?” I think we all know what the toilet’s for, so why are we using it to dispose of tissues, insects, cigarettes and other trash? By disposing of garbage in a wastebasket instead of the toilet, you will save more than 500 gallons of water per month.