Frequently Asked Questions

The following is a question and answer section with the most asked questions written down for your convenience. Click on a Question to take you directly to the Answer.

Macerators and Macerating Systems

What is a macerator? Where can I use macerating systems Are macerating systems expensive? Are macerating systems certified? How long will macerating systems last?

Installation Advice

Can I also install a shower or bathtub? Do I need to break up the floor to install the macerating system? Do I need to build up a floor? Can I discharge a kitchen sink into the system? Do I need to install a P-trap in vanities, bathtubs, and showers? Will I void the warranty, if I install the system myself? Do macerating systems and fixtures need to be vented?

Pumping and Discharge of Waste

What is the discharge capacity? Where is the waste pumped? Can I discharge the waste by means of upward slopes? Can a washing machine be discharged into the Saniplus or Sanibest? Can I discharge a whirlpool into the system? Do I still need a septic tank or holding tank

Maintenance

Does the system need maintenance? What cleaning material should I use? Other maintenance issues? Should I winterize the system?

General

Can the warranty be voided? How much water does the system use? Can I use lake water to flush the toilet? Are there different colors available?

What is a macerator? To "macerate" is to soften, to break in pieces. Our macerating systems use a rotating cutting blade to liquefy human waste and toilet paper, that when mixed with flushing water is pumped into a sanitary sewer as a fine slurry. See: What is a Macerator?.

Where can I use macerating systems? Extra toilet facilities can be installed in offices, factories and restaurants, and they are ideal for the elderly and disabled. Extra bathrooms can be installed in basements, cottages, hotels, motels, in fact, anywhere extra sanitary facilities are needed or wanted.

Are macerating systems expensive? Admittedly, macerating systems are higher priced as a product compared to a sewage ejector package. However, the greatly reduced labor costs and flexibility, makes the Saniflo macerating system an economical and viable alternative when gravity flow systems cannot be installed.

Are macerating systems certified? A nationally recognized testing laboratory has tested each product and certified each product that we market. Additionally, the Saniplus has been listed with several standards and code agencies. IAPMO, Massachusetts State Plumbing Board, Southern Building Code, UPC, IPC, CSA B45.9, ASME 112.3.4 etc. in both Canada and the United States. Please note that the Sanicompact systems are electrically certified.

How long will macerating systems last? A nationally recognized laboratory tested the Saniplus system for 50,000 cycles, e.g. flushed 10 x a day = 3650 x a year = 13.69 years lifetime. As this is a standard test, it was stopped after 50,000 cycles; therefore the Saniplus may last much longer.

Can I also install a shower or bathtub? A 38 X 38 inch "Neo-Angle" shower base is available from SANIFLO. If you wish to purchase your own shower stall a 2 x 8 inch platform needs to be installed. When installing a bathtub a platform of 2 x 8 inch is needed to allow for the installation of a P-Trap and pipe with some gravity flow towards the macerating unit.

Do I need to break up the floor to install the macerating system? No, macerating systems can easily be installed on top of any finished floor, which totally eliminates the need to dig up a floor as present methods using a sump and sewage ejector pump requires. Additionally, there is no need to leave an accessible space, as is the case with an in-floor sump system.

Do I need to build up a floor? Except for the Sanigrind there is no need to build up a floor to cover "floor boxes".

Can I discharge a kitchen sink into the system? No, the greases associated with kitchen sinks would eventually clog up the small diameter pipe and create a problem. The Sanivite is purposely designed for this.

Do I need to install a P-trap in vanities, bathtubs, and showers? Yes, even though macerating systems have built-in mechanical traps most plumbing codes require a regular P-trap to be installed.

Will I void the warranty, if I install the system myself? No, it is quite possible to install macerating systems oneself. However, there are jurisdictions where only licensed plumbing contractors are allowed to install plumbing systems. Furthermore, since proper building, plumbing and electrical codes must be followed; we suggest that a trade person install the "connection side" of the system.

Do macerating systems and fixtures need to be vented? The Saniplus, Sanibest, Sanigrind and the Sanipack have been designed with a vent connection on the lid. All plumbing codes require connection to a vent system. The Sanicompact and the Sanistar is a "forced main" and need not to be vented. All plumbing codes require traps to be vented.

What is the discharge capacity? Depending upon the discharge installation the Saniplus or Sanibest can pump up to 3600 liters per hour and the Sanivite can pump up to 4700 liters per hour. The Sanicompact cannot pump more than 4 liters at a time, as it is an electrically timed system. Please consult the discharge curves found in the Installation Instructions.

Where is the waste pumped? The waste is pumped into a sewer system; septic tank or holding tank by means of a proper waste pipe system that complies with the applicable codes.

Can I discharge the waste by means of upward slopes? Yes as long as the maximum pumping height of the product is not exceeded. The best method to install a discharge pipe is to rise vertically at the unit as high as necessary, and from that point on, to slope down at a fall of ¼ inch per lineal foot to the point of discharge.

Can a washing machine be discharged into the Saniplus, Sanipro or Sanibest? No, pumped appliances should NOT be discharged into the macerating pump system. The Sanibest will handle a laundry washer but only if pumped indirectly i.e. through a laundry tub. The Sanivite is purposely designed to handle washing machines.

Can I discharge a whirlpool into the system? When the whirlpool has a maximum size of a two-person tub it can discharge into the Saniplus or Sanibest. When the whirlpool is larger than that it is not advisable. The Sanivite is purposely designed for this.

Do I still need a septic tank or holding tank? Yes, the raw sewage must still be treated by anaerobic bacteria, and must therefore never be discharged into a ditch, storm drain, lake or stream. For your information, a study has been done on The Effect of Macerating Toilets on Septic Tank Performance.

Does the system need maintenance? No, the motor of the macerator has no gears or brushes to wear out. The motor is filled with oil and sealed for life.

What cleaning material should I use? Any residential cleaning materials can be used with the product. If you wish to clean the bowl and macerator with bleach, please use it in a diluted form.

Other maintenance issues? There is no need for regular maintenance. We advise against using toilet bowl cleaners that hang inside the toilet tank. If you wish to use one, please use the type that hangs on the rim of the bowl.

Should I winterize the system? Macerating systems that are installed in places that are prone to freezing need to be winterized. Carefully drain the system, e.g. the macerating unit, the discharge piping, the tank, the supply pipe etc. Alternatively, a jug of plumbers anti freeze may be poured into the system until the macerating systems starts up.

Can the warranty be voided? Yes, when any foreign objects are found in the macerating unit that has to be retrieved by a plumbing or service person. Also, by pouring automotive anti-freeze, solvents, paints etc., into the system or by opening the motor of the macerating unit.

How much water does the system use? All macerating systems that are connected to a toilet use a low consumption type water closet. The Saniflush toilet uses 6 liters (1.6 gallons) of water per flush. The Sanicompact systems use 4 liters of water per flush. This compares very favorably with older style water closets that may use up to 30 liters of water per flush.

Can I use lake water to flush the toilet? Yes, provided that a particle filter is fitted in the supply line before it enters the water closet. The Sanicompact uses a solenoid valve and if a particle gets stuck between the valve and the body, leakage may occur.

Are there different colors available? We now have toilets available in Biscuit color that are used with the Sanibest and Saniplus macerators. Please be advised that the macerator box will remain in white Polypropylene. Also the Sanicompact and Sanistar toilets will remain in white ONLY.