Macerating Toilets: A Complete Guide
Macerating toilets are gaining popularity for their convenience, especially for homeowners looking to add a bathroom in areas without conventional plumbing access. These toilets, also known as up-flush toilets, break down waste and toilet paper into a fine slurry, which can then be easily pumped through narrow pipes. This cutting-edge technology is perfect for installing bathrooms in basements, garages, or even attics without the need for major plumbing renovations. In this article, we delve into the benefits of macerating toilets and offer essential insights to help you determine if this toilet type suits your home.
Table of Contents
- How do macerating toilets work?
- What parts do a macerating toilet consist of?
- Why would you need a macerating toilet?
- Where does the waste from a macerating toilet go?
- Do you need a pump for a macerating toilet?
- Can you use toilet paper in a macerating toilet?
- Are macerating toilets loud?
- Do macerating toilets smell?
- How do you clean a macerating toilet?
- How much are macerating toilets?
- What are the best macerating toilets?
How do macerating toilets work?
When the toilet is flushed, the waste is directed to the macerator system, which activates automatically. Rotating blades mix the waste with water to form a slurry. This slurry is then pumped upward through a piping system to your existing main plumbing stack. Although this process occurs out of sight, you might hear a humming noise.
It's important to note that macerating toilets resemble the standard ceramic bowls found in most bathrooms. They operate similarly to regular toilets, allowing you to flush waste away with a lever or button. While some homeowners might consider composting toilets, many still prefer the reliable functionality of traditional flush toilets.
The primary difference between macerating toilets and conventional toilets lies in how the waste is transported to your septic tank or sewer line. Traditional gravity-flush toilets rely on gravity to move waste through the plumbing system. However, gravity-fed toilets are ineffective for basements or other rooms below the main plumbing lines.
What parts do a macerating toilet consist of?
The macerating toilet system includes a toilet bowl, a macerator pump, and a small-diameter pipe. When you flush the toilet, the waste and toilet paper are directed into the macerator pump, which grinds the solids into a fine slurry. This slurry is then pumped through the small-diameter pipe to the sewer line or septic tank.
Why would you need a macerating toilet?
Macerating toilets are perfect for homeowners looking to add a bathroom in areas without traditional plumbing access, such as basements, garages, or attics. They can be installed in just a few hours and, since they don't require extensive plumbing work, offer a cost-effective solution for adding a bathroom.
Additionally, macerating toilets are relatively quiet compared to conventional toilets. The macerator pump operates at a low decibel level, ensuring that you won't be disturbed by loud flushing noises.
Where does the waste from a macerating toilet go?
The macerating toilet's pump uses stainless steel cutting blades to convert solids and fluids into a fine mixture that can be easily pumped into your home's main plumbing lines. This compact macerator pump is typically located behind the toilet tank, but it can also be concealed behind a bathroom wall.
In homes where certain areas are below existing lateral plumbing lines, a macerating toilet is an obvious choice for installing a bathroom in a basement, below-grade workshop, or garage, where gravity-fed toilets won't function properly.
Without sufficient height drop, water pressure levels may be too low for gravity-fed toilets. In some cases, parts of the ground floor may also be below or level with the plumbing lines, making a small macerator pump an ideal solution. Additionally, macerating toilets are suitable for cabins, off-grid homes, and other structures lacking standard plumbing connections.
Many macerating toilets available today come with pumps large enough to connect a sink and shower. This capability allows you to add a complete bathroom in a newly finished basement, a renovated garage converted into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), or similar renovation projects.
Limescale is a dry calcium carbonate created by water saturated with chalk and calcareous. If you live in an area with "hard water", you may need to clean more regularly to ensure that bad smells do not occur.
How much are macerating toilets?
The cost of a macerating toilet can vary based on several factors, including the brand, model, and features. On average, a basic macerating toilet can range from $500 to $1,500, while more advanced models with additional features can exceed $2,000.
In addition to the cost of the toilet itself, you should also consider installation costs. These can vary depending on the complexity of the installation and the location of the macerating toilet. If additional plumbing or electrical work is required, installation costs may be higher.
It's important to factor in the long-term cost savings when deciding to purchase a macerating toilet. These toilets are generally less expensive to install than traditional toilets because they don't require extensive plumbing work. Additionally, since macerating toilets use less water per flush than traditional toilets, they can help reduce your water bill over time.
Overall, the cost of a macerating toilet depends on several factors, including the brand, model, and installation costs. However, the potential cost savings over time, along with the convenience of adding a bathroom in locations without traditional plumbing access, make macerating toilets an appealing option for many homeowners.
What are the best macerating toilets?
There are several macerating toilets available on the market, each with their own unique features and benefits. Overall, the best macerating toilet for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. It's important to consider factors such as performance, reliability, and ease of installation when choosing a macerating toilet. Some of the best brands on the market include Saniflo, Liberty Pumps, Intelflo, Kohler, Thetford, and TOTO.
- Saniflo: This company offers several models of macerating toilets explicitly designed for different home areas. For example, the Saniflo Saniplus Macerator uses a 1/2 HP pump system for a complete bathroom installation. The powerful macerator pump allows you to move waste water up to 15 feet below the sewer line or even up to 150 feet away from a soil stack. Saniflo is available through Rise in the United States and Canada.
- Liberty Pumps: This company specializes in all different types of pumping technology. The Ascent II macerating toilet system features a 1.28 GPF high-efficiency toilet that can pump up to 25 feet vertically and 150 horizontally through a 1" discharge pipe. Furthermore, the removable service panel provides quick access to the cutter area without disconnecting the plumbing. This makes maintenance easier should problems occur. The Ascent II is also one of the most water-efficient macerating toilets on the market and carries the WaterSense ® mark.
- Intelflo: Lastly, Intelflo is another company offering an affordable macerating toilet. They sell a 500-watt macerator sewage pump that makes it easy to move your waste uphill to the sewer lines. The fully automatic flushing system also has low noise levels.
