Macerator for toilet, shower, etc.

H

houseclearou

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Hi

I'm considering putting an ensuite against an internal wall upstairs. The outlets would need to run with little or no vertical fall between the floor joists to the back of the house. I'm considering using a macerator. What are people's views of these? Do they work? Recommend any brands? Also what happens in the case of a power cut? Many thanks.
 
Lots of stories of these things going around, there's been a thread or two on here as well if you do a search. The pumps, etc. only have a limited life, and replacing them is a nasty job. They're noisy and are prone to becoming clogged.

If you suffer a power cut, then nothing happens! Everything stays where it is...
Leo
 
My mother has one in a rented property and it works fine. 3 Years old. The noise can be noticeable but less than a powershower.
 
Hi Houseclearou
I have used macerator systems overseas and have had no problems with them. About a year ago we did two such installations in Ireland and so far the clients have had no problem, as far as I am aware. The units we used were the Saniflo system, and from what I saw they were well made. I have not heard of any prevalent problems with them, yet that does not mean there aren't any. One precation is to not dispose of any female sanitary products whilst using this system otherwise the pumps will be put under strain. Cost is another issue. The basic pump assy. runs for 600 euro. The units we used could be used with standard ceramics. Maybe you should rethink and see if you can use a standard system instead. As far as power cuts, how many do you get during the year for it to become an issue. As far as the noise issue it is minimal. If your bathroom is small the noise will be louder than in a larger bathroom. But it is not an annoyance because it only runs for a very short period of time. Hope this helps you.
 
Hi,
I have fitted several of these over the past few years and no trouble at all. Saniflo is the system that i've always used - because they are a good brand and been around a good while.
As for power cuts - we don't get many, so it should not be a big issue.
Let me know if you need any more info...
 
Hi,

I may need to install a macerator as the fall to the septic tank is almost nil and subject to frequent blocking. Would any kind poster who has experience of these things like to advise me? Do they work? Are they noisy? Do they get stuffed and, if so, does it require a plumber to clear the blockage? I'm a reasonably handy DIYer but suspect that it might require a specialist to install. Thanks.
 
Gaothfar said:
Hi,

I may need to install a macerator as the fall to the septic tank is almost nil and subject to frequent blocking.
Click to expand...

You might be better off addressing the cause of the frequent blocking directly. Are you sure its the fall being too shallow? I had a similar problem, the cause was the drain to the septic tank was partly in soil and the soil had compacted under the line with the years and so the line sagged. Half a days work and no cost to fix.
 
This toilet has blocked several times over the years and I can usually clear it by lifting the shore cover (is it called an AJ?) and hosing the 'material' down the line to the septic tank. The pipe never clears completely and 'water' will lie in the bottom third of it so I assume that the fault is in the lack of fall of the pipe.
 
It probably is the fall being too shallow then. A macerator won't fix that, at best it may compensate for the lack of fall. But if "water" lies in the bottom of the pipe I wonder how effective the macerator would be. Could you increase the fall by putting in a new line. A messy job but not very expensive and if it is possible a proper solution rather than a work around. It may also be possible to put a pump on the line. I have heard of that but never seen it.
 
Thanks Cremeegg but to get a better fall in the pipe would require lowering the septic tank as raising the toilet outflow would not be possible. I will look at the possibility of a pump on the line but with the macerator, which has a smaller outflow pipe, it should be possible to plumb it straight to the septic tank.
I'll talk to the salespeople and see what they say and also if they can let me hear a macerator in operation. Regards G.
 
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