macerator toilets

[janeyo]

Completely off topic! Need to pick grape-brains

There is a problem with the layout of the new ensuite we are creating in the extension. It will mean a mad bend in the pipe and no where to put an inspection chamber. One solution might be a macerator toilet with smaller pipework required. I have no experience of one of these.

Does anyone know if they are worth the effort? Or have any thoughts on them?

Thanks

[Nicos]

They are a bit noisy from my experience on hols.
We were thinking of getting one for our guest room here, but we have a septic tank and were told it's a definite no-no.
Think you have to be careful what you flush down them too.

[bobleponge]

Janeyo, I have had a few over the years in my French places.

Plus:
Can get a loo into a space not feasible with standard pipework.
The pipework is smaller bore, so can fit pretty much anywhere, and the force of the macerator ejection is enough that even right angled bends can be dealt with.
Minus:
Can be noisy
None of mine have tended to last that long.
Care must be excercised with what goes down them as Nicos has said (not always easy when you have youngsters about).

If its the only solution then do it, but if there is any way you could get a mains toilet then try and do that would be my advice.

Nicos, not sure why its a nono whether you have a septic or not. I had a fosse at my last house and a macerator, worked as well as with mains sewerage.

[Alison]

Basically they cut everything up and therefore it's in little bits which makes it harder to remove down the line and therefore most of the water companies aren't keen on them.

[Nicos]

Nicos, not sure why its a nono whether you have a septic or not. I had a fosse at my last house and a macerator, worked as well as with mains sewerage.

2 types of septic tank- ours takes all interior water..apparently it's macerated to such an extent that it blocks the tiny holes in the soak away pipes- cos they float into the soak away instaed of settling to the base and then emptied every few years.
Takes a few years to block- but can be very very expensive to sort out ( ie replace the pipes)

We had prof advice on this- would have saved us a lot of money and space if we could of had one!....typical eh????

[Pumpkin Becki]

My OH had one in his first house, and I know he wouldn't personally recommend a macerator if it is at all possible to install a normal one. Don't know the ins and outs myself, but I believe it was to do with blockages. Even though he is incredibly careful with these sorts of things - I think a female houseguest put a sanitary towel (or several)down and it was very expensive to sort it out.

[Mrs Twigg]

Hi PB,
we have a Saniflo System (macerator unit), they are convenient for small spaces, quite noisy - especially as they get older!
We have had to call an engineer out twice as house guests have put something other than p**, wee and paper down it! (not a job I would like!! )
I have a large sign in our loo saying " only p**, wee and paper down the loo, all other products including face wipes to go in bin!"
I say go for it
Mrs T

[Mrs Twigg]

oops sorry!, I meant to answer Janeyo ..no PB
Mrs T

[butter fingers]

i work in a uni and some of the student residences had to have macerators in them.all i can say is dont !.
once they get older you will have no end of problems,especially when you get loggers to macerate.and they will cost a fortune for spare parts and plumbers to attend.

[coreopsis]

"A bit noisy"?.They are noisy like hell but if you want your adrenaline level to go up whilst in the loo-go for it.To me it's a nightmare

[Seahorse]

I'd avoid one if you can. When I moved in here there were two, both of which broke very quickly and one of which broke again after repair (thank goodness we also have a conventional one!). Possibly really bad luck but I'd never have one again unless there really was no other option.

[janeyo]

Thanks guys, this is useful info

[Glutton4...]

We have one JaneyO, well, actually we have two including the spare! When they work they are fabulous, when they don't they are a pain.

Make sure that you fit an on/off switch to the electricity supply, despite the fact that the instructions say not to. If the motor starts to hum and not rotate it will quickly overheat. Hopefully it will only blow the fuse or trip the switch, but it could be worse. I'm happier knowing I can turn ours off when in has a hissy fit, which it does frequently!

[matthew2riches]

Would you better of with a caravan toilet? lol!

Macerator units are no good.

[Nicos]

Have we managed to put you off yet????

ps- we have a caravan loo as an en- suite in a guest room which has a suicidal staircase- peeps seem to prefer to trapse through the house to use a proper loo!
Brill for a wee though in the night!