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Saniflo Home
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,
Sanimarin 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 Outdated plumbing codes still state that the drain of a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 concious 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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. |
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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