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Should I choose a macerator toilet or add more time to renovation?

34 replies

Clarita1983 · 08/11/2018 17:11

Hi

We are having our kitchen completely re-done, part of it made into a utility room/downstairs loo and everything redecorated, new flooring, etc. Originally we were hoping this could all be done by Christmas but this is now looking unlikely.

Despite the upstairs toilet soil pipe being nearby plus another sewer pipe under-ground also very nearby, the builder is saying that it is going to take a long time and be very difficult to rip up the concrete (which apparently is quite close to the foundations) to connect a soil pipe for the new loo.

He is suggesting getting a macerator for the toilet instead which would be much much easier to connect to the sewer pipe which is currently exposed (and open - that's a whole other story...)

Apparently neither option will cost us more or less as he will cover the cost of the work or buying a good quality macerator so the only variable would be the time. Bearing in mind we are currently without a kitchen and this can't be fitted until the toilet issue is addressed, flooring prepared, etc. before they can fit the kitchen. Also we stand almost no chance of being done before Christmas if we don't go with a macerator.

What would you all do??? We don't have great history with macerators in rented flats in the past and through work I've come across loads of them and always thought I'd never choose to have one...

OP posts:
schooltripwoes · 08/11/2018 17:12

We've had one before and it was awful. I'd never have one again. It broke and there was a huge wait for an engineer to come out and it cost a fortune.
Personally, I'd wait and get a proper loo.

lubeybooby · 08/11/2018 17:15

wait for proper loo - macerators are noisy hell

MyDcAreMarvel · 08/11/2018 17:17

Wait or you will regret it.

PickAChew · 08/11/2018 17:18

Our macerator is awful, too. One of the first things we had to fix when we moved in.

museumum · 08/11/2018 17:18

I’ve never known a macerator that wasn’t noisy as hell. Really off putting.

TheVanguardSix · 08/11/2018 17:18

Oh God, don't! They are grim. Just grim. Years ago we rented a maisonette with one and it was just the pits. You know the drill, OP. You've had your own experience.
The long term pain that would come with having one is not worth the convenience of getting everything done before Christmas. I'd tough out Christmas this year and wait for the proper loo, with bells on. It's sooo worth doing the loo properly.

Ellboo · 08/11/2018 17:19

Awful awful awful! And you have to start policing what your visitors put down it. I’d rather have no toilet!

katseyes7 · 08/11/2018 17:20

We once stayed in a B & B that was allegedly 'en suite'. That had a macerator toilet. lt was unbelievably noisy. l don't think the owner having notices stuck facing the loo saying things like "DO NOT PUT ANYTHING INTO THIS TOILET UNLESS IT HAS COME OUT OF YOUR BODY!" helped.
l'd wait.

Whereismumhiding2 · 08/11/2018 17:21

Do it the full/ right way as planned. Little bit of short term pain, for long term gain.

JanetLovesJason · 08/11/2018 17:21

No macerator.

@PigletJohn has strong views IIRC.

HumptyNumptyNooNoo · 08/11/2018 17:33

Sounds like it's easier for him short term, but you need what's best for you long term - so tell him you want it done properly with a proper soil pipe as you will be living with it for a long time.

BubblesBuddy · 08/11/2018 17:41

He’s fobbing you off. He should have priced for the work. No excuses. Stick out for the proper loo. You would be mad not to.

Mumsnut · 08/11/2018 17:51

Piglet John will convince you ...

squishee · 08/11/2018 19:16

My DM has one and the bastard thing is so noisy. Especially annoying if it's flushed at night. And it gets blocked easily. Don't do it.

EspressoButler · 08/11/2018 19:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

johnd2 · 08/11/2018 19:28

The builder wants to do the easy way, you have to live with it long after he has forgotten about it

pallisers · 08/11/2018 19:29

ours flooded - had to get the specialist cleaners in. nightmare. We changed it asap.

seastargirl · 08/11/2018 19:32

Don't do the macerator, we inherited one when bought our house and it was awful! Was so pleased to get rid of it!

Nacreous · 08/11/2018 19:32

Macerators are the worst. Short term pain, OP.

ArchbishopOfBanterbury · 08/11/2018 19:41

No macerator. They are noisy at the best of times, and major hassle when they break down.

PigletJohn · 09/11/2018 11:21

No need to get a macerator.

You can dig a latrine in the garden and keep a bucket under the bed. It will be even better, and more reliable.

KateGrey · 09/11/2018 11:23

No! We had a mascerator and hated it. It was in our downstairs loo and in the end gave up using the loo downstairs.

VeniVidiWeeWee · 09/11/2018 13:04

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.

AgentProvocateur · 09/11/2018 13:14

I'd rather have a commode chair in the living room than live in a house with a macerator again Grin

Badbadbunny · 09/11/2018 18:54

They're evil - avoid at all costs. Not only are they noisy, they also "jam up" meaning a very unpleasant and messy cleaning out session. I only had one for about 2-3 years but it must have blocked half a dozen times and made a right mess.