Macerator Toilets

[Howard Sterndrive]

I'm thinking of putting a bathroom down the basement - the floor is about 22" below the discharge pipe to my septic tank. So I need to pump up.

Anyone have any experience installing a macerator system like a Saniflo?

Looks like it would suit my needs, but the thing I don't like is having to put the bathtub 6" higher (they say to build the shower or tub on 2x6's on end to provide drain head to the macerator pump.

Any systems out there that don't require that?

I can't bust up my floor. I'd be asking for trouble....

 

[mthieme]

Re: Macerator Toilets

My neighbor just went through this in his basement.
He had to bust up the floor for the pump, small tank, macererator, etc.
He said all the parts ran him about $1,700 or so.

I have no basement - I'm on piers...so I just let it all run out under the house
Actually, I replaced my tank two years ago, It was a small steel drum. I kept running the farm tractor over it so it would collapse. Getting a replacement tank permit is easy, any other permit requires a body cavity inspection.

 

[rolmops]

Re: Macerator Toilets

I installed a similar one in my inlaw's house,while in my own house I busted through the concrete to install a barrel with a pump.
While your problem with the macerator is that everything is high,the problem with the barrel is that everything is low.This means that you will have to cut trenches in the concrete for your pipes and an even deeper one under your tub for the P-trap.
In either case you will need to hook up a vent.
If you build a shower or a tub you will need room for the p-trap no matter what,so the raised one will serve your needs better than the one that is dug into ground.

 

[AK_Chappy]

Re: Macerator Toilets

We deal with the macerator toilets up here at work.
Stay away from Actana. It is a French version that uses high pressure water instead of chopper blades. Looks good on paper, but the unit is overly complicated.
Sani-Flo is capable and does a good job.
We have switched over to the Zoeller Quick Jon Toilets. One of our main builders switched to them and have nothing but praise. We and they would get numerous calls about breakdowns on the Sani-Flo and/Actanas. Sani-Flo was mainly due to sitting in cold environments, etc. After the switch, the calls stopped. I would suggest Zoeller.
Ensure you put in good check valves on the up pipe. Also put in ball valves above and below the check valve. Trust me on that one!! Also follow the plumbing instructions explicitly, especially the vent pipes.

AK Chappy