Are you considering adding a bathroom to your basement or another part of your home that lacks conventional plumbing? If so, a saniflo toilet might be your answer. But before you make any commitments, it’s important to understand what a saniflo system is and how it works.

In this guide, we’ll answer:

What is a Saniflo Toilet?

A saniflo toilet (also known as a macerator toilet) differs from a conventional toilet in two ways. Firstly, it macerates (breaks up) the human waste in the toilet using a blade. Secondly, instead of flushing waste through drainage in the floor, a macerating toilet system uses a centrifugal pump to flush the waste out of the toilet and into the general waste system.

How Does a Saniflo Toilet Work (Macerator)?

Macerator toilet systems grind up waste with a blade, then use a pump to whisk it away to the main drain, all without needing to be directly below it. This makes them perfect for tricky bathroom locations.

A Saniflo toilet is made up of four key components. These are called:

  • Float Switch (Membrane)
  • Microswitch
  • Blade (Macerator)
  • Impeller

Each has its own separate function that works together to help flush waste away from your home. We’ve noted each component below in the order that they operate.

Step 1: Blade Macerates the Waste

When the toilet is flushed, the waste (urine, faeces, toilet paper) is funnelled from the toilet bowl and into a blade. When the waste hits the blade, it will be macerated into smaller pieces. This allows the waste to be flushed into the general waste system with ease.

Step 2: Float Switch is Activated by the Waste(Membrane)

After the waste has been macerated by the blade, it will then go on to gather in the tank (also known as a soil stack). Over time the waste will accumulate in the tank, slowly raising the float switch. When the waste reaches a certain level, the float switch will detect pressure from the water and will operate the microswitch.

Step 3: Microswitch Activates the Impeller

The microswitch then activates the impeller. The impeller is what powers the pump, shifting the waste into the discharge pipe and out of the toilet. 

Step 4: Impeller Pumps Out the Waste

Finally, now the impeller is activated, the waste is pumped out of the macerating system and into the local drainage system.

image showing how a saniflo toilet works

The Pros of a Saniflo Toilet 

  1. Flush from below the drainage line

When the flush is activated in a standard toilet, the waste is sent into the general waste system using gravity. Simply, the toilet piping goes directly down into the sewers.

When a toilet is located below, or a good distance from the general waste piping, it may be necessary to upflush the waste. Simply, the toilet piping does not go directly down into the sewers and instead needs to travel up or horizontally before reaching the general waste line.

In this case, it would be appropriate to install a macerator toilet to ensure the toilet flushes efficiently and waste pipes do not become blocked.

  1. More energy and water-efficient than a conventional toilet 

If you are environmentally conscious, then you will be happy to know that macerator pumps are far more efficient than a standard toilet. First, shredding the waste ensures that you get a smooth flush to the general waste line. Second, using an impeller to accelerate the waste to the sewer uses far less water than a standard toilet.

  1. Easier to install than a conventional toilet 

Standard toilets can be quite hard and time-consuming to install. Luckily, one of the major advantages of a Saniflo toilet is the ease at which they can be installed. Avoiding the need to break floors (or the bank), a macerator pump has the ability to upflush meaning you don’t need to make extensive changes to your plumbing. This ensures the construction work is completed quickly and at a low cost.

  1. Saniflo toilets last as long as any other conventional toilet 

Saniflo products usually last somewhere in the region of 10 to 15 years. In most cases, with proper care, a Saniflo system will last a lot longer. It also depends on how often you intend to use the toilet. All toilets are tested up to 50,000 flushes. That could, in many cases, be a lot longer than 10 years.

The Cons of Buying a Saniflo Toilet 

  1. Much noisier than a conventional toilet

Macerator toilets can be much noisier than a conventional toilet. This is due to the macerator that breaks up the waste and the internal pump needed to shift the waste out of the toilet and into your drainage system. 

  1. Tend to get clogged more often

Macerator toilets do have a tendency to get clogged easily. Only put organic waste (urine, faeces, toilet paper) in a saniflo system. Sanitary pads or baby wipes will clog the toilet. 

  1. You must flush at least once a day

It’s important to flush your saniflo 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. 

  1. Can’t 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 blackout (or you fail to pay your electricity bills), you will not be able to use the saniflo.

Saniflo Do’s and Don’ts 

So, as a recap, here are the dos and don'ts of a Saniflo toilet that you need to consider before buying. If you follow the do’s and don’t you’ll encounter fewer problems with your macerator toilet.

Do:

  • Be mindful of what you flush. Stick to waste, toilet paper, and water to avoid clogs.
  • Be prepared for regular maintenance and use approved Saniflo cleaners to keep your toilet running smoothly.
  • Remember that a quieter Saniflo is a happy Saniflo (flush daily to prevent clogs).

Don't:

  • Expect a Saniflo toilet to be completely silent. They are noisier than traditional toilets.
  • Flush wipes, feminine hygiene products, or anything else that could clog a regular toilet.
  • Do DIY electrical work. Leave electrical tasks to qualified plumbers.
  • Forget your backup plan for power outages, as Saniflo toilets rely on electricity.

How Much Does a Saniflo Cost?

Saniflo systems come in a range of sizes and pump capacities. 

Some will service a single toilet only, some will serve a complete bathroom and some will service an entire office. 

Which saniflo is right for you, all depends on how much waste you want to flush. 

To help you make a decision, we’ve listed a typical domestic circumstance and the appropriate saniflo for the job.

I Want to Flush a Single Toilet - Saniflo Domestic

If you’re only looking to upflush a single toilet, then the Saniflo Domestic is the perfect option for you and prices range from £325 upwards. 

image of saniflo domestic macerator

I Want to Flush a Single Toilet and a Sink - Saniflo Sanitop

If you would like to upflush a single toilet and a sink, then you will need to purchase the Saniflo Sanitop. Coming in at around £383, the Sanitop is a powerful macerator pump that can handle up to two bathroom appliances.

image of saniflo sanitop macerator

I Want to Flush a Toilet, Sink, Shower and Bidet - Saniflo Sanipro

If you would like to upflush all your bathroom appliances (up to four), then you will need the Saniflo Sanipro. With the capability to upflush your toilet, sink, shower and, if needed, bidet, the Sanipro is a bargain at £446.

image of saniflo saniplus macerator

How Much Does it Cost to Install a Saniflo Toilet?

Installing a saniflo toilet is not a particularly difficult task. However, there are several components to the job that we believe are best left to the professionals. 

Take the electrics, for example - there are several regulations that need to be followed, and we believe in a ‘better safe than sorry’ approach when dealing with water and electricity.

Each home and job will vary when it comes to cost, but after speaking to a variety of plumbers, we’ve agreed that if you have pre-purchased the Saniflo system, then it would come in at around £800-£1000. This is based on about 10-16 hours of work at a cost of about £50 per hour.

Saniflo toilets offer unique advantages for specific situations. By considering the pros and cons, you can decide if a Saniflo toilet is the right fit for your bathroom.

Free Advice

If you’re struggling for advice, ring our dedicated saniflo and macerating toilet experts on 0800 112 3134 or 0333 577 3134. We’re open Monday to Friday 07:00 - 17:30 and Saturday 08:30 - 12:30.