Before Buying A Macerating Toilet: Everything You Want to Know

A second restroom is always a welcome addition, whether it’s to reduce the morning rush, spare you the trouble of climbing stairs, or just be used when visitors stay. However, you won’t have many options when building your bathroom if the location of the planned bathroom drain is below your drain line level or below grade. Macerating toilet systems could be the only choice you have. Here’s what you should know before purchasing a macerating toilet.

Why Have A Macerator Toilet?

Macerator toilet, also known as upflush toilet, is used for bathrooms located in basements. The difference between it and the conventional one is what happens when you flush waste.

The force of gravity is used by a traditional gravity-flush toilet to flush waste via a hole in the bathroom floor and into the home’s plumbing system.

On the other hand, a macerating toilet flushes waste into a pump tank and an electric macerator in the back. They turn solid waste into liquid so that it can be pumped from below ground level into an existing outlet or sewage pipe. This might be a less costly and easier way to get waste out from a toilet for basement use.

Are Macerating Toilets Noisy?

While three types of sounds are associated with the upflush toilet system, generally the toilet isn’t noisy.

• The first sound type is water flushing. The macerating toilet flush is not any louder than the flushing of a regular one. The sound volume varies across installations based on the product you buy and the environment you apply, including the shape and size of the room.
• The second sound type is associated with the running of the macerator pump. It operates at a low decibel level, ranging from 45 to 60 dB.
• The movement of the toilet lid could also produce some sound. Nowadays, the lid and seat are designed to be soft closed, promoting quietness and convenience for use.

You don’t have to worry about noise from a macerating toilet if the pump is installed properly and all the connections are correctly secured. The solution to reduce noise levels in your bathroom is to choose a high-quality pump that is well-engineered.

Do Macerating Toilets Need To Be Roof Vented?

You may need to vent the macerator pump into your home’s vent system because the majority of these pumps available on the market need to be vented. This is frequently the biggest surprise when it comes to upflush toilet system installations. However, keep in mind that it is possible to vent the pump anywhere. In order to exhaust to the outside, it can also be linked to a vent pipe via the vent hole that was drilled in the vent valve cover. The only prerequisites are that the vent system adhere to local regulations and that air must be able to flow in and out.

Do Macerating Toilets Smell?

Macerating toilets are intended to keep unpleasant odors out of your bathroom and even your living space. This is thanks to the macerator pump, which grinds toilet paper and waste into a fine slurry before it is pumped to the septic tank or sewer line through a small-diameter pipe. This procedure helps keep waste from accumulating in the toilet, which can cause odors.

However, odors can develop if the toilet isn’t properly installed or maintained. Poorly installed or maintained upflush toilets could result in clogged pump or pipes, or leaks in the toilet system. Always follow the manufacturer’s installation and maintenance instructions to maintain the integrity of your system and keep odors at bay.

You can also prevent odors by cleaning the macerator pump and bowl regularly. Make sure you use cleaning products designed for use with the macerating toilets.

Cleaning the toilet bowl and maintaining the pump on a regular basis, as well as using cleaning products designed specifically for macerating toilets, can also help prevent odors.

Additionally, avoid flushing any items that can cause odors down the toilet. Items such as grease, food waste, or other non-organic materials are the greatest culprits when it comes to odors because they can cause clogs in the toilet pipes and macerator pump.

How To Avoid The Smell From The Macerator?

The module on the pump’s top can emit this odor in two ways: placing activated carbon or connecting ventilation duct.

The activated carbon deodorization module is prefilled with active carbon to aid in preventing odor. You can replace the activated carbon on a semi-annual or annual basis to ensure its effectiveness.

Another method of avoiding the smell from the macerator is to use ventilation duct deodorization. You can attain this by removing the activated carbon and connecting the vent valve to your home venting system using another pipe.

Can You Use Any Toilet With A Macerator?

No, the macerator pump is only compatible with the toilets that are drained via its backside. Therefore, you cannot use a regular gravity-fed designed toilet to connect the pump.

How Far Can A Macerating Toilet Pump?

The electric motor used in each brand’s pump is different, with the current mainstream market being the 500w-600w macerator pump, which can pump upward to 32.8 feet and 263 feet horizontally. However, MaceratingFlo’s Ultra Pump has a power of up to 750w. This pump can pump effluent up to 36 feet vertically and/or 328 feet horizontally via gravity fall. The micro switch automatically turns off the pump once the container’s water level drops, and it is turned back on when another flushing occurs. This pump is essential for basements or old homes with narrow pipes due to its high flush capacity.

How To Unclog A Macerating Toilet?

You must take the motor out of the pump and turn it upside down to make the impellers visible if there is a blockage in the macerator pump. Then remove the obstruction with small pliers before replacing the motor into the pump.

How Long Does A Macerator Last?

Macerating toilet systems can last up to 10 years if they are established in areas with light traffic. However, this lifespan could be much shorter if they are subjected to higher usage. These toilets are specifically designed for light-traffic areas, such as the basement.

How Much Is A Macerator toilet?

A macerator toilet costs between $700 and $1300. Installing this upflush system is less expensive than installing conventional gravity-fed flush toilets because they don’t need complicated plumbing work.