Saniflo toilets are a game-changer for anyone looking to add a toilet to a space without the luxury of traditional plumbing. Whether it’s a ground floor bathroom, an ensuite in a loft, or a loo tucked away in an unexpected spot, Saniflo makes it possible to install a toilet where it would otherwise be impossible. But how exactly do these clever systems work? In this blog, we’ll break down the workings of a Saniflo toilet, explaining how it uses a macerator pump to efficiently handle waste and push it through small pipes to the main sewage system. Let’s take a closer look at this innovative solution and find out how it’s revolutionising bathroom installations in unconventional spaces!
What Is A Saniflo Toilet?
A Saniflo toilet is a brand of macerator toilet that offers a smart and space-saving solution for places where traditional plumbing can’t easily be installed. Much like how people often use the term “Hoover” (the brand name of one of the first vacuum cleaners) when referring to any vacuum cleaner, many refer to all macerator toilets as “Saniflo” due to the popularity of the Saniflo brand.
Unlike a traditional toilet, which relies on gravity to flush waste downward into an outflow pipe, a Saniflo toilet uses an innovative upflush system. When you flush, the waste is directed into a built-in macerator unit located behind the toilet. This macerator grinds up the waste and pumps it upwards through small pipes to the main sewage line, which can be located a considerable distance away or even at a higher elevation.
How Do Saniflo Toilets Work?
Macerator toilets were specifically developed to address a common challenge: the need to install a bathroom in a part of a property that’s far from the main drainage system. This is especially relevant in cities like London, where large houses are often being converted into multiple flats. In these conversions, there are areas of the property where a traditional bathroom wouldn’t be feasible due to the location of the drainage system. Macerators solve this problem by allowing waste and wastewater to be pumped away through a small-diameter pipe, rather than the larger 4-inch pipe typically required for standard toilets.
With traditional plumbing, the size and position of the outlet pipe can create limitations—especially when the toilet is located far from the main drainage point. A 4-inch pipe requires a specific “fall” (or slope) to ensure the waste flows properly, and in many cases, this isn’t achievable due to structural constraints like floor heights or the distance the pipe must travel. In contrast, a macerator toilet bypasses these challenges by using a pump to move the waste, allowing the pipe to travel horizontally or even vertically—up into a loft space, across ceilings, or to the opposite side of the property where the drainage system is located. This flexibility opens up a wide range of possibilities for adding bathrooms where they wouldn’t otherwise be possible without the need for costly or invasive plumbing work.
Let’s take a closer look at exactly how a macerator toilet works:
1
Flushing the toilet and activating the pump
When you flush a macerator toilet, the waste and water begin their journey into the macerator pump. The toilet’s waste flows into the pump housing, causing the water level to rise. This triggers the activation of the macerator pump, which is designed to handle both the liquid and solid waste efficiently.
2
Macerating the waste
Once activated, the macerator’s powerful motor powers a set of sharp blades that chop up the solid waste. These blades break the waste down into a slurry—a mix of fine liquid and small particles—making it much easier to pump through small pipes. This process is crucial because it reduces the waste into a more manageable form, allowing it to travel through narrow pipes that would otherwise be insufficient for solid material.
3
Collection of waste
After the waste is chopped up, it falls to the bottom of the macerator’s casing, where it is scooped up by the impeller. The impeller is a rotating part that helps propel the waste towards the discharge pipe.
4
Pumping the waste
Once the waste is gathered and pressurised, the pump pushes it through a small-diameter pipe, often as small as 25mm. This allows the waste to be transported over long distances—sometimes even hundreds of feet—and around corners, all the way to the building’s main soil stack or sewage line.
5
Non-return valve
To ensure the system works efficiently and doesn’t allow wastewater to flow back into the pump when it shuts off, a non-return valve is built into the macerator. This valve prevents any backflow, ensuring that the macerator remains primed and ready for the next use.
Note: Saniflo Toilets are different to Wastewater Pumps.
Saniflo offers two types of systems: Saniflo Toilets and Saniflo Wastewater Pumps. Many people mistake these for being the same thing but while they are both part of the Saniflo range, they serve different purposes. Saniflo toilets are designed to handle waste from toilets, while Saniflo Wastewater Pumps are specifically built to manage greywater from other appliances. The pumps are ideal for applications like connecting to a washing machine, dishwasher, or in spaces like a utility room. Simply put, the key difference between them is the type of waste they handle – toilets deal with both liquid and solid waste, while pumps handle liquid waste only!
During my time with the company, I can count on one hand the number of times we’ve needed to call Saniflo out due to an issue with the unit itself, thanks to the warranty period. Most failures are a result of misuse rather than component defects. The primary cause of issues is blockages, often from items like wet wipes, nappies, and sanitary products being disposed of incorrectly. If you need a Saniflo repair, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Maintracts team—we’d be happy to assist you.
Oliver Osmore has been part of Maintracts Services since 2001, following in his father’s footsteps. As Managing Director, he ensures the company runs smoothly, supports customers and engineers, and thrives on solving complex problems others can’t. Highly organised and approachable, Oliver works closely with customers to deliver tailored solutions, drawing on his extensive experience in plumbing, heating, and electrical services to resolve enquiries efficiently.
Since 1974, Maintracts Services has built a reputation for high-quality installation, maintenance, and repairs. Under Oliver’s leadership, the company remains committed to professionalism, safety, and customer satisfaction.
