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Macerating Toilets Make a Half-Bath Possible

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Adding a half-bath is almost always a great idea. Typically they are located in areas for convenience and are also chosen for high-traffic areas in your home. But as families grow and areas of your home evolve we encounter issues with installing half-baths because they weren't selected in original house plans and therefore plumbing and venting was not considered in the area where you most likely want to place them.

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Europeans have long dealt with older homes that have limited plumbing and from this Saniflo was born. Long known for their macerating toilets, toilets that don't require traditional plumbing and have a built-in or nearby macerator and pump that grinds up waste and pumps it away and back into your sewer system, Saniflo is has been making inroads into the American home market and many homeowners who are short on time and budget are opting for one of these types of toilets. Because there are no walls to tear into or floors to pull up the impact on time and expense for installing a half-bath is lessened and the possibilities are expanded (although you may wish to hide the macerator behind a wall but they are nice enough looking to be out in the open as well).

But these pumps also work for sinks, showers, dishwashers, and washing machines. They are better for the environment as they use less water and can be placed almost anywhere. Just be certain your bathroom or kitchen appliance can function with this type of pump and water supply.

Charles & Hudson | May 1, 2008 | Comments () |

 

 

  • I just put one in a basement 6 months ago, and it also pumps waste water from a shower, which is the only part that had to be raised (6"). On the whole it's great. It wasn't cheap, about $1000 for the whole system, but it was a far better choice then digging up the concrete. I was surprised to find six local dealers with multiple Saniflo units in stock. Upon inquiry a number of them told me "When plumbers find out they don't have to dig up the concrete they buy it."
  • I'm Curious, did the the shower have to be raised high enough to allow the water to flow into the pump?
  • Yes, but I staged it about 10' away from the toilet pump unit, and you need about a 1/4" drop per foot in the drain line. But if you are closer you can lower it a bit. You still have to put in a trap though, so you have to make room for that. You can go with 1.5" drain lines though, even though most codes say 2". I put in vents but never ran them (they only have that option for US codes too where in Europe they just use a little vent plug on top of the pump.) I've had no problem and no issues in the rest of the house.

    Also, they make a separate pump (sanishower)for under $300 just for the shower. What you could do, (which Saniflow confirmed but did not give instructions for), is just dig a small hole in the concrete deep enough for the shower trap and another nearby to house the pump box and drain in between. In this way you could install the shower flat as well.
  • Thanks for providing details on your install. I'm sure many others will find this useful.
  • erik
    does it break up corn?
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