Saniflo Macerator for Downstairs Toilet

[irrrina]

Hi,

We're exploring options for creating an under the stairs toilet in our new home.

Creating a proper 10 cm pipe under the floor that goes through our kitchen appears to be a it of a nightmare as we have concrete under the floor. Basically no plumber gave us a quote for this "proper" way of doing things.

So I'd like opinions on the other options which is a Saniflo Macerator. How reliable is it, does it "break down" after a while? Is it very noisy? Basically for those that have installed something like this, is it worth the hassle?

Thank you

They are pretty good, BUT you must never ever put anything down then but pee, poo, and loo roll. Well, you can use cleaning stuff etc, obviously, but it simply won't cope with san-pro, cotton pads, dental floss, kitchen roll etc etc, or you will be landed with an expensive repair!

Thanks for the information. Are they terribly noisy?

If I was you I'd just have the waste pipe boxed in overground. I'd avoid the macerator. Their noisy, temperamental and expensive when they go wrong. I'd much rather have the eyesore of boxing in to get a proper toilet.

I went to see one in a friends loft conversion. It was quite actually. However, I still decided against it for reasons outlined above.

Please don't.

What does "expensive" mean in terms of repairs?

It sounds decent idea to box it overground, however it would have to go right behind the kitchen units and I believe the waste pipe is unlikely to fit there.

That's why we're either looking into the saniflo or maybe dropping the entire idea altogether, if it's such a hassle and likely to break down.

Thanks

Our local guy charges £120 call out. We’ve had one for over 10 years and I’ve called him three times, every time because someone put a wet wipe or something down there. As long as all you use it for is wee, poo and paper it’s fine. It mashes everything and ours does make a noise while doing it but I think newer ones are quieter. It’s a viable option if you can’t get a larger pipe put in.

The actual loo is a completely normal full sized one btw, it’s just the macerator at the back which is the Saniflo part and ours is boxed in, you can’t see it.

We had one for 10 years and never a problem 🤷🏽‍♀️ moved house now.

Lived in a hard water area but after 4 years had a water softener fitted.

We have one in our loft conversion. Have had it 5 years and haven't had any trouble with it. It makes a bit of a noise for a short period - slightly longer than a normal flush, but to be honest isn't louder than a normal toilet flush, just a different noise to that one which we are more familiar with.

Ours has the cistern and the macerator itself behind the wall in the eaves cupboard. They are both easily accessible but neatly hidden away. We have a small note stuck by the loo 'this is a macerator loo and can block easily, so please only put human waste and loo paper down it. Thank you'. It seems to have done the job as we haven't had blockages or problems yet - maybe we will in future but I'm very happy so far.

It is our guest room and used for grandparents visiting perhaps 20 nights a year, plus when the kids have sleepovers and all sleep up there, or when someone needs the loo when the main one is in use (we do t have a downstairs loo) - so not used like a main loo, but reasonably well used.

For us, it has been great. I honestly could recommend for the kind of usage we have.

Ours was in use daily - 6 of us in the house!

We have one in our basement kitchen/utility room. It pumps water up from the sink and washing machine. It has been very good, but does make a bit of a noise. Sort of like a plane taking off.

I would avoid
We have one - ours have lasted 10 years then died. Replacement is £500+ for the part then add on the labour

Thanks all for the replies. If we do go on this route, any idea what diameter the waste pipes need to be? And also can they be horizontal or is there a need for an angle so any reason so that waste "falls" down?

The waste outlet pipe is narrow - don't know the actual size - more like a water pipe than a waste pipe
They can be horizontal - the saniflo pumps the waste water away - no need for a drop