What is a macerator pump?

A Macerator Pump is a kind of pump that is connected to a toilet (or in some cases included in the toilet itself if you buy a macerator toilet) that grinds up solid waste so that it can be pumped against gravity more effectively.

How does the macerator pump work?

The macerator pump uses a stainless steel fast-rotating cutting blade to convert solids and fluids into a fine slurry that is discharged under pressure through small-diameter piping (¾-inch or 1-inch) and expelled into the sewage line or septic tank.

Why do you need a macerator pump?

Essentially, a macerator pumping station is a mechanical device used to remove foul water, sewage, and other wastewater – particularly when the force of gravity cannot be relied upon to do the job or where a connection to the property's main sewage line is either difficult or impossible.

Is a macerator a good idea?

Macerators create more noise than standard plumbing and can be prone to blockages from anything other than toilet tissue, but the great thing about them is that they enable you to install a loo almost anywhere you fancy. Installing a macerator pump is also cheaper and easier than extending your existing sewage system.

What is the advantage of a macerator?

The advantages or “pros” of a macerator are pretty obvious: Can pump waste up any incline (when is that ever an issue, though?) or over a great distance. Less potential for mess.

How the Saniflo Macerator Pump Works

Can you put toilet paper in a macerator?

Protect your Saniflo macerator by only allowing waste and toilet paper through the system. Anything else will inevitably cause a blockage, which can lead to easily avoidable repairs.

How long does a macerator last?

How Long Does a Macerator Pump Last? The common rule regarding macerator pumps, is the machine, which will usually last up to 15 years, if handling a small amount of waste. With standard usage in a main bathroom in a domestic home, you can assume a macerator to last at least for about 10 years.

Where does the waste go from a macerator toilet?

The macerating unit softens and churns up waste that passes through the pump. This makes it easier to dispose of. When you flush your toilet (with a macerator pump attached to it), waste passes through the pump instead of moving directly to the outflow pipes.

Do you need a special toilet for a macerator?

Macerator pumps can be installed behind the toilet pan or in a different location as needed. They can be used with both close-coupled and wall-hung toilets.

How do you empty a macerator toilet?

Blocked macerator or pump

The blockage will most likely be toilet paper or other waste that has become stuck in the blade. To remove this waste the technician will then use pliers and then turn the blade counterclockwise and carefully remove the waste accordingly.

Are all Macerators noisy?

The Saniflo macerator is no louder than a toilet flushing. The sound volume emitted in decibels may vary from one installation to another, depending on the product and especially the surroundings (tiled room or not, size and shape of the room, etc.).

How long do macerating toilets last?

HOW LONG DO MACERATING TOILETS LAST? Saniflo systems last about 10 to 15 years or longer. They have been flush tested up to 50,000 times as part of Saniflo's standard test to ensure product quality.

How far will a macerator toilet pump?

The unit pumps the effluent upward to 15 feet and/or 150 feet horizontally (with gravity fall). Once the water level in the container goes down, the micro switch deactivates the unit until the flush is activated again.

Why does my macerator toilet smell?

Bad smells can be due to a build-up of limescale and human waste in the 2-3 inches of water that's always left in the Saniflo. To see if it's your Sanilfo that's emitting the bad smell, flush your toilet or fill your basin with water and then unplug it.

Can you put a macerator toilet anywhere?

The biggest benefit that you receive when you purchase a macerating toilet is that they can be installed anywhere in the house whether you have a traditional plumbing or drainage system or not. These toilets are great alternatives for areas that were never intended to have a toilet.

Are macerating toilets any good?

Macerating toilets are safe to use with septic systems. Note: Macerating toilets are not recommended as a primary toilet. Though this may be unavoidable in some circumstances, understand that because of the various mechanical parts working together in the unit, failure can come more quickly than with a standard toilet.

Does a macerating toilet need to be vented?

Unless you're using a SaniCOMPACT, which doesn't require venting, you'll need to vent the macerator pump into your home's vent system.

How do you unblock a macerator pump?

If the macerator is blocked, clear it. It could be that a foreign object is tangled around the blade causing friction. To remove the object, use a pair of thin-nosed pliers and turn the blade counter-clockwise, removing the object as you turn.

Can I put bleach down a macerator toilet?

It is important never to use products containing bleach in a saniflo macerator as bleach corrodes the seal around the macerator valve. This results in a faulty system as the macerator cannot sense when to open or close.

Can you poop in a Saniflo?

The simple answer is that yes you can poop in a Saniflo toilet. As with normal toilet systems you can put any organic waste into the toilet bowl and use the flush mechanism to remove it—which includes toilet paper—although like a standard toilet too much toilet paper can lead to blockages occurring.

Can you connect a washing machine to a macerator?

If you are intending to have both a toilet and kitchen appliances in the same project, then be aware it is against the Building Regulations to discharge a washing machine or dishwasher into a macerator.

Can you use a macerator with a bath?

Whether you want to install a full bathroom with toilet, basin, bath and shower or just a cloakroom suite with a toilet and basin it's easy with one of our macerators. They come with multiple inlets so you can have just what you want, anywhere in your home.

Can macerator pump uphill?

Up the drain

If we examine a modern range like that of Saniflo, they have various models that will pump vertically up to 4 metres, horizontally 40 to 50 metres, or a combination of the two (which will involve a trade-off between the two figures).

Can you pump toilet waste uphill?

The Flushmaster provides total flexibility in designing bathroom and toilet facilities in both commercial and light industrial situations. It is the only unit capable of pumping horizontally, or with a double lift and even at an uphill gradient.