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Resource Center
There are a few issues that the installer needs to know before
commencing with the installation of a macerating system.
Venting
As per plumbing code all p-traps need to be vented. Therefore, even
though macerating systems are isolated from the main drain system
(by means of a check valve), we need to vent the trap of the hand
basin, shower, bathtub and possibly a bidet. The following external
macerating systems need to be vented: Saniplus, Sanipro, Sanipack
and Sanibest.
Products with built-in motors need not to be vented as they are
considered to be a forced main. These units are known as
Sanicompact, Sanimarine and Sanistar.
External macerating systems have a tapping on the lid, generally
located on the right hand side and are 1 ½-inch diameter. To start
one need to saw of the cap and connect the provided 1 ½-inch
accordion connector to it. Then a street-elbow can be pushed into
the other side of the accordion connector and one can finish off the
vent installation in 1 ½-inch pipe.
Please note that a vent pipe slopes upwards (¼-inch per foot) when
running in the horizontal plane. If one cannot get at the house’s
vent system, the vent pipe may run along the joists to the outside
of the house. Do not use an air admittance valve (also known as
cheater vents). These are one-way devices and block air movement in
one direction.
Macerating systems need a two-way air movement, out when the toilet
is flushing, i.e. water running into the pump case and in when the
macerating unit is pumping water out of the case.
Note: When connecting to a vent system, please push the provided
plastic cap into the breather opening located on the left hand side
of the lid. Otherwise there exists the possibility for odor (not
sewer gas but odor).
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Shower
stall or Bathtub
External macerating systems have a 1 ½-inch connection on both sides
of the case for connecting other fixtures. The pump does not suck in
wastewater but instead flows into the case by gravity. The 1 ½-inch
inlet is sufficient in size to drain away wastewater of a shower and
or a bathtub. Outdated plumbing codes still state that the drain of
a shower needs to be 2-inch in size. These are based on older
showerheads which allowed higher flows of water to pass through it.
With today’s low flow water conscious showerheads, we believe that
it is not necessary to install a 2-inch drain from the shower. You
could for example, reduce the 2-inch shower drain with a 2-inch to 1
½-inch bushing. From there continue with a 1 ½-inch p-trap and
finish off the installation with 1 ½-inch pipe.
Furthermore, when installing a shower stall or bathtub, you will
need to build a platform out of 2x6 lumber (on edge) to allow space
for a p-trap. We do sell a 38x38 inch neo-angle shower base with a
raised base, however due to the to low volume our shower base is
priced higher than a regular shower base. Transport will also be a
factor.
Water
Spot Size
The toilet bowl features a water spot inside the bowl that measures
4x5-inches. The water spot size is normal for this type of bowl and
cannot be adjusted. If the water level is raised the water will
simply drain away into the pump unit.
Repeated
starting of pump
Sometimes the pump will start up more than once after a flush, if
this happens please check the reservoir. Lift the lid and check the
overflow tube (typically a black hose running from the fill valve to
the flush valve) to see if it is attached to the overflow tube in
such a manner that water sprays into the overflow tube. If so, move
the clip so that water now sprays into the reservoir. This type of
toilet does not need to have the trap way refilled after a flush.
Alternatively, some silicone can be squirted into the tube will stop
water from flowing through the tube.
Flush arm hanging up
If the flush arm (inside the reservoir) of the toilet hangs up on
the insulation of the tank, please bend the arm inwards a bit. The
end of the arm should be about ½-inch away from the insulation. If
you do not wish to do this we will mail you a new (shorter arm).
Note: Only toilets sold in Canada have an insulated tank.
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Rough-in Dimensions
These dimensions can be found in the installation instructions for
each product, available for viewing or download, listed under
Installation Manuals.
On this page you can download documents related to our products. The
files are in PDF format .
Saniflo Brochure
16-page full-color product brochure:
2006 SANIFLO Brochure (602KB).
Product Specific Information:
See individual Product pages for links to Product Detail Sheets and
Installation Instructions offered for Download in PDF format. See
Saniflo Products.
Installation Instructions
You can view or download Instruction Manuals, Technical Drawings and
Data for SANIFLO products, available under the Support
section. See Installation Manuals
Product Certification Documents
American Society of Mechanical Engineers:
ASME Standards for Macerating Toilet Systems & Related Components
(659KB)
Certification to CSA and ANSI/UL standards for both Canada and the
USA:
CSA Certificate for Sanibest (40KB)
CSA Certificate for Sanicompact, Saniplus, Sanipro, and Sanivite
(87KB)
CSA Certificate for Sanigrind and Sanipack (109KB)
CSA Certificate for Sanishower (62KB)
CSA Certificate for Sanistar (43KB)
Note: CSA Certification also applies to all components and
attachments to the Saniflo units, refer to:
CSA Letter (204KB)
Commonwealth of Kentucky (533KB)
Approval for Saniplus, Sanibest and Sanigrind
Commonwealth of Massachusetts (830KB)
IAPMO Certificate (680KB)
Canadian Plumbing Code 2005
Excerpts from the Canadian 2005 NPC Code, with specific
references to
Macerating Toilets or
Macerating Systems. (387KB)
Macerating Toilets Study
Study prepared by University of Guelph:
The Effect of Macerating Toilets on Septic Tank Performance, June
2004 (413KB)
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 |
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| Pumping and Discharge
of Waste |
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Macerators and Macerating Systems
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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. |
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. |
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Installation Advice
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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. |
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Pumping and Discharge of Waste
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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 indirect 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. |
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Maintenance
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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.
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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. |
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General
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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?
In September we expect to take delivery of toilets in the
Bisque 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. |
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