If you want to renovate or remodel your home, macerating toilets are a great and affordable alternative to traditional plumbing. A macerator pump connects to a toilet and grinds up solid waste so that it can be pumped against gravity more effectively. It gives homeowners the flexibility to design the layout of their bathroom the way they want it. 

The primary advantage of installing a macerating system is the convenience and ease of installation. When starting a bathroom installation, you have two options if there is no existing, below-floor drainage: either install a macerator or undergo costly and more serious plumbing that requires creating a new sewage outlet. 

Installing a macerator pump would be the less expensive and much easier option.

A macerator pump uses a fast-rotating cutting blade made of stainless steel to convert solids and fluids into a fine slurry that is discharged under pressure through small-diameter piping (¾-inch or 1-inch) and expelled into the sewage line or septic tank. Instead of routing flush water through below-floor drainage lines to sewage access or a sewage ejector, the wastewater from the fixture drains through gravity into a macerator. 

Another advantage of a macerating system is that it is silent. Unlike other basement plumbing systems, such as a sewage ejector, a macerator’s cutting blades and pump are much quieter. Let’s dive into how that is possible.

Just like a conventional toilet

Based on the previous description of what a macerator does, you may think that a motorized device grinding up and discharging solid waste would be loud. In actuality, a Saniflo macerator is no louder than a normal toilet flushing. 

There is a bit of sound variation depending on the pump model, but most are relatively quiet. The sound volume emitted in decibels may vary from one installation to another, depending on the product and especially the surroundings (size and shape of the room, tiled or not, etc.). 

Saniflo offers a line of pumps called “Quiet Range,” whose operation emits 10 decibels less than other models. So we can proudly say we have the quietest macerator on the market.  A decibel is a standard measurement unit used to describe a sound’s intensity or strength.

In this range of pumps, we focused on reducing the amount of noise emitted and transmitted and providing you with installation advice. We did this by improving various parts of the pump:

• Silent blocks are motor or basket blocks that absorb the vibrations produced by the motor because of their shape and the material used. 
• Sound-insulating sheets are parts made of thermoplastic elastomer positioned in the tank to stiffen the cistern so that it vibrates less.
• The motor has specific wiring and an impeller for optimal performance-to-silence ratio.
• Anti-vibrating studs are parts made of rubber placed underneath the tank. They reduce the vibrations transmitted by the motor.
• Fixing devices are placed on each side of the tank to reduce the vibrations transmitted by the motor.

For your Saniflo macerator to remain silent, it is important that you or your contractor follow the installation instructions to avoid the propagation of sound vibrations; e.g., eliminating contact between the macerator and the wall, placing the anti-vibration pads under the tank, mounting the piping at intervals, etc. 

You can also opt to lay a layer of sound insulation between the macerator, the floor, and the wall for even better soundproofing.

How loud is your pump? You can check out the product specifications to find out how many decibels your pump emits.

What if my mine starts vibrating/making a buzzing noise?

If you flush your toilet and hear a horrible vibrating noise, something is probably lodged in the macerator blade. To remove this obstruction, first turn off the Saniflo and remove the lid. If you see the obstruction, remove it with a pair of small pliers. If you need further assistance, call a plumbing professional for help.

If your macerator is making an unusual amount of noise, it may have been installed incorrectly. Again, to avoid sound vibrations from contact with the walls, tank, and piping, hire a plumber to install your pump according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Choosing the right macerator

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ABOUT SANIFLO
SFA SANIFLO U.S.A. – whose parent company originated macerating plumbing technology — offers a complete line of waste and drainage pumping systems for residential and commercial applications. Saniflo developed its innovative, “above-floor plumbing” technology more than a half-century ago and has led its commercialization worldwide. Today, the company markets macerating technology through 24 subsidiaries in 50 countries and has sold more than seven million units worldwide since 1958. Saniflo markets through independent sales agents throughout North America, and the product line is currently available at distributor and dealer locations throughout the United States and Canada.

For more information, contact Saniflo at 1-800-571-8191. Or visit the Saniflo website at saniflo.com.

For editorial assistance, including photography, contact John O’Reilly c/o GreenHouse Digital + PR: 815-469-9100 or [email protected].