Saniflo toilet care and advice

What is a Saniflo toilet?

A Saniflo toilet does not operate in the same way as a regular toilet. The main difference is that human waste is broken up using a blade and instead of the waste being flushed directly into a drainage system connected to the floor, a macerating system uses a centrifugal pump system that flushes water out into the waste system for disposal.

  

*IMPORTANT - DO NOT USE BLEACH IN SANIFLOW TOILETS* 

Effects of bleach on Saniflo

With its potent chemical composition, bleach causes foaming, damages rubber seals, and induces cavitation, disrupting your macerator. Thus, you must avoid bleach to ensure a healthy and long life for your Saniflo.

   

How does a Saniflo toilet work?

A Saniflo toilet is made up of 4 main components that enable it to be an efficient system. These parts are:

• Impeller
• Microswitch
• Blade (macerator)
• Float switch (membrane)

Each part of the Saniflo toilet works to ensure the waste material is removed efficiently out of the bowl, which is explained in more detail below.

Flushing

The first step is when the toilet is flushed the waste is moved towards a blade where the macerating process starts to break it down into smaller loads. By doing this the waste is easier to process in the toilet for when it is eventually discharged out into the outflow pipe.

Float switch

Before the waste leaves the system, it is first stored in the toilet tank. As the amount of waste accumulates in the tank the float switch will gradually start to rise over time. Once the waste rises to a particular level, water pressure is detected by the float switch and the microswitch is then activated.

Impeller activation

Once the microswitch has been activated it then starts the impeller. This is the device that works to power up the pump, and the waste is then moved out into the discharge pipe and finally out of the toilet.

Waste is cleared

This is the final stage, the waste is cleared out of the system and then sent into the drainage system for processing as normal.

   

Where does the Saniflo waste go?

When flushed, the waste in a Saniflo toilet does not go directly to the outlet pipe. Instead, it heads to the WasteAway (soil stack) unit. Before it arrives there the Saniflo macerator technology reduces the waste to liquid form within a few seconds. When the tank reaches capacity level it is then pushed by the pump out through the discharge pipe and disposed of as normal.

   

Importance of regular cleaning of the Saniflo toilet macerator

Most Saniflo macerator users are unaware of the crucial role that cleaning plays in preventing scale build-up. This build-up often leads to start-stop problems, a nuisance that can be easily avoided with a proactive cleaning routine. The most important thing you need to keep in mind while cleaning your Saniflo toilet macerator is using a proper cleanser, like a specialised macerator de-scaler, which ensures its smooth operation.

   

Step-by-step guide to cleaning your Saniflo toilet macerator:

1. Use a macerator de-scaler cleaner

Macerator descaler cleaners are a specialised formula designed to dissolve limescale without harming the intricate internal components of macerators. Regularly cleaning your Saniflo keeps its pipes unclogged and ensures a clear pathway for waste.

2. Frequency of cleaning

The hardness of water varies greatly within the UK, especially in locations like Lincoln, where the water is very hard. Understanding your water’s hardness and adapting your cleaning routine accordingly (recommended 3 times a year) is how you can create a cleaning plan for your Saniflo toilet.

3. Pour and flush

Descaling your Saniflo is as simple as pouring the cleaner into the toilet and flushing it after a couple of hours. It cleans your macerator, effortlessly washing away limescale deposits and maintaining its peak performance.

     

If you have a Saniflo or macerator toilet you will need to take extra care with maintaining. Macerator toilets do have a tendency to get clogged more often. Only put organic waste (urine, faeces, toilet paper) in a Saniflo system. Sanitary pads or baby wipes will clog the toilet as with a standard plumbed toilet. You must flush the Saniflo toilet at least once a day. Without daily flushing, the contents within the Saniflo can dry, causing the tank to break down, making it difficult to restore.

You will not be able to use if the power goes out. A Saniflo or macerator toilet relies on electricity to power the macerator and pump the waste out of the toilet. In the event of a power cut you will not be able to use the Saniflo.