I’ll admit it. I am not a sage of all things green. I need help.

I just moved into a new house and I have never had to fix a toilet before. Here’s my problem: The standing water level is too high. I want to lower the regular water level to make it more comfortable to use and to save water. Short of purchasing a new water-saving toilet (which I should do but have to get ast a few mortgage payments first, let’s be realistic here) what can I do?

Does anyone know toilets? Does anyone know a good water displacement technique?

As far as I can tell from research, the most common water retention device available is the toilet dam. A set will save about 5 litres per flush when installed properly. Their main attraction is their low cost (under $10.00 per set) and the fact that they are easy to distribute and install for example, as part of a wider municipally-sponsored retrofit program. Their main disadvantage is that they tend to leak over time by slipping out of adjustment and can slip free and interfere with the moving parts inside the toilet tank, if not routinely checked. Any comments?

The water displacement devices familiar to most people seem to be the plastic bags or bottlesfilled with water which are suspended inside the toilet tank. As the name implies, these devices displace several litres of water, saving an equivalent amount during each flush. Like the toilet dam, most displacement devices are inexpensive and easy to install. Their chief disadvantage is that they don’t save as much water as other devices and, if they are not installed carefully, they can interfere with the proper operation of the toilet. Are these readily available for purchase? And if so, where? And are they easy to install?

All I really know is that one displacement device to stay away from is the brick! It can disintegrate inside the toilet tank, leading to excessive leakage at the flapper valve and may even be heavy enough to actually crack the tank.

Thanks Environment Canada for your help with this post. Photo credit: Fluidmaster