Anyone with a loft conversion got a Saniflo/Macerator toilet?

[elotrolado]

In the process of planning a loft conversion, hip to gable with rear dormer.

We are struggling with the layout, we would have preferred the bathroom at the rear (where the soil pipe is) but due to awkward stairs in middle of house, the architect thinks that the dormer space is better suited to the bedroom.

So due to bathroom placed at the front of the loft (under velux) this would mean installing Saniflo toilet. Has anyone got any experience of these?

[BreakfastOfWaffles]

My advice is avoid them like the plague. I had one at a previous property and it kept malfunctioning. It was a very expensive pain in the bum to maintain. It also puts off buyers if you come to sell.

[bigTillyMint]

Yes. It is old now (15+years) and has always been v noisy. I think newer ones are better. I am paranoid it’s going to explode (pipe goes across the space above our ceiling)

[AldiAisleofCrap]

Don’t do it op.

[bigTillyMint]

TBF we haven’t had any problems with it.
So far

[areallthenamesusedup]

They are definitely better than they used to be. Get a proper expert to install. A lot of plumbers do not really understand them. Had loads over the years. If you can possibly avoid I would. However, at least you have gravity on your side....better a loft one than a basement one.

[WombatChocolate]

I have one. Similar situation of loft conversion where Ensuite needed to go at opposite end to soil pipe.

4 years on and no problems. We have been careful and only put loo roll down there (no wipes, earbuds etc....to be honest, don't out those down the normal loo either) so there's nothing to block it. No smells, noise is different to that of a normal loo that we are all familiar with, but it's not excessively noisy and doesn't go on too long. Our loo is a back to wall one with the cistern and the macerator unit in the eaves which is behind the wall of the Ensuite.....means you wouldn't know to look at it that there's a macerator unit and any sound from it is more muffled.

If it's just for your use it should be fine. People often have a small sign 'Macerator loo - anything other than loo paper will cause blockage' if it needs to be used by guests.

Ours does the loo, shower and basin. I think it might be saniplus model.

I'd go for one again if it was macerator Ensuite or no Ensuite.

[bigTillyMint]

That sounds exactly like ours @WombatChocolate

I made a sign to put on the loo when we first had it done - it’s still there!

[Roystonv]

We have a below ground level one (different level at back of house compared to front) for many years and never had a problem. Yes you have to be very careful what goes down it and yes there is a grinding noise on flushing but if this really is your only option and it provides a facility that benefits the property then I would go for it.

[TrickyD]

We have two. One in an ensuite bathroom only really used by me, and one in a top floor shower room.
As others have recommended, they need some TLC. Nothing like wipes or ear buds to go in,, get a real Saniflo not a rip off, use the proper descaler regularly and use an official installer, not just any plumber.

[VeniVidiWeeWee]

PigletJohn Mon 20-Feb-12 10:04:29

"it will ultimately be more trouble than it is worth."

True.

And if you wonder what happens when you try to mend one, imagine disconnecting a pipe filled with shredded shit under pressure, and ask yourself why plumbers don't want to.

[Pipandmum]

I had one, not in the loft but lower ground floor where there were no stains. It was fine. We only had a problem with it when a tenant kept throwing wipes down it that clogged it. Otherwise it was perfectly good and as it was a choice of that or no toilet on a floor with three bedrooms, it was a good decision.

[elotrolado]

Thanks all, I can only imagine the sheer shit show that would ensue if it went wrong, and we would probably be one of the unlucky ones!

Hopefully there is another option, the bathroom can go at the back however this does mean moving the stairs across and cutting into some of the ceiling in the room below. This layout is what I hoped for anyway so we're hoping it works.