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The Daily Insight

Why is my macerator not working

Author

Sarah Silva

Updated on April 09, 2026

The first thing you can try is removing any blockage from the macerator or water tank. If that doesn’t work, then the block is probably within the waste pipe. You will need a certified Saniflo engineer to remove and clean out your pipes. Ensure they install the pipes at a 45-degree angle.

How do you unclog a macerator toilet?

Blocked macerator or pump The blockage will most likely be toilet paper or other waste that has become stuck in the blade. To remove this waste the technician will then use pliers and then turn the blade counterclockwise and carefully remove the waste accordingly.

How do I know if my macerator pump is bad?

Most macerators have a spot on the end of the motor where you can spin the motor’s shaft. With the power off, see if the shaft will spin. If the shaft doesn’t turn, there may be a blockage at the impeller. If the shaft spins freely, the motor is bad.

How do you test a macerator?

To check if there’s a blockage in the macerator, you will need to remove the lid of the Saniflo. If you see an obstruction, it can be removed by turning the blades counter-clockwise and using a small tool (such as pliers).

Can a plumber fix a macerator?

If your thinking of working on your own macerator, please remember that your most likely to cause more damage than fix it which is the reason you should leave it to an emergency plumber but most important when it comes to DIY plumbing, when it comes to macerator problems, this type of work can be extremely dangerous.

Can you use a plunger on a macerator toilet?

Can you plunge a macerator toilet? If you have a blockage with your Saniflo or macerator toilet it’s not as simple as using a plunger to unblock it. Using a plunger on a macerator toilet could damage the macerator system so if there is a blockage it will need to be taken apart and cleaned.

Can you plunge a macerator toilet?

Things You’ll Need A macerator grinds solid waste into small enough particles that it can travel through your other waste pipes. Because of this, if you get a clog or blockage in your Saniflo, you cannot simply plunge the toilet to unblock it or you may damage the macerator.

How do you clean a Saniflo macerator?

  1. Turn off the power to the unit.
  2. Pour a dose of descaler into the pan.
  3. Flush the toilet.
  4. Leave for 1-2 hours.
  5. Turn on the power and let the unit pump out.
  6. Flush again.

How long do Macerators last?

The general rule about macerators is that the machine is an added 2nd toilet and is only built good enough for a small amount of traffic, which should last for up to 10 years depending on the use. If the macerator is being used in high traffic for example student accommodation, then you would expect about 3 years.

Can you use sink Unblocker in Saniflo?

4 Answers from MyBuilder Plumbers Chemicals should NOT be used on saniflow systems as it can damage the seals inside (nor plunge them), if all else is draining fine then as above check the waste in the shower.

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Can you poop in a Saniflo toilet?

The simple answer is that yes you can poop in a Saniflo toilet. As with normal toilet systems you can put any organic waste into the toilet bowl and use the flush mechanism to remove it—which includes toilet paper—although like a standard toilet too much toilet paper can lead to blockages occurring.

How long should a Saniflo last?

The lifetime of a Saniflo depends mainly on proper installation and proper use. However, devices typically have a lifetime of 10 to 15 years with minimal maintenance, i.e. cleaning-descaling annually, and, depending on the quality of the water in your region, the replacement of the pressure switch membrane.

What can you put down a macerator?

A pulp macerator will dispose of pulp products (such as single-use bedpans and urinals), human waste, toilet paper and maceratable wipes – nothing more. Similarly, an incontinence macerator is only to be used for pads and nappies.

How long will a macerator pump last?

How Long Does a Macerator Pump Last? The common rule regarding macerator pumps, is the machine, which will usually last up to 15 years, if handling a small amount of waste. With standard usage in a main bathroom in a domestic home, you can assume a macerator to last at least for about 10 years.

How much does a saniflo service cost?

London Saniflo Repairs We charge a fixed price of £107.50+vat for a standard Saniflo repair. Our standard fixed price repair will cure noisy units, free any jams and blockages within the unit, fix minor electrical faults or leaks & overflows.

What's the best macerator pump?

  • SaniPLUS. SaniPLUS is the most favoured macerator type for domestic properties. …
  • SaniBEST Pro. SaniBEST Pro is an easy to install, heavy-duty, upflush toilet system, suitable for both domestic and commercial properties. …
  • SaniPACK Pro. …
  • SaniCOMPACT. …
  • SaniSTAR. …
  • SaniGRIND Pro.

Where does macerator toilet waste go?

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.

Are macerator toilets good?

Older models have a reputation for being unreliable and for frequently breaking down. These two things are not quite as much of a concern these days due to advances in technology, but a macerator is not likely to be quite as reliable as a regular toilet with a normal sewage pipe connection.

How do you clean a Saniflo shower pump?

Bleach or other toilet cleaners can be used lightly and in small doses as per Saniflo’s instructions but will not descale a macerator pump thoroughly, only Saniflo descaler will totally descale the machine. Saniflo Descaler has been specially formulated to clean and descale a Saniflo macerator and it does the job well.

How does a macerator pump work?

The macerator pump uses a stainless steel fast-rotating cutting blade 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.

How often should you descale saniflo?

It is recommended that Saniflo Descaler is used for up to 3-4 times per year depending on water hardness in your area. Most of our work is in London and the water is seriously hard in some places. So we ourselves recommend you descale a Saniflo 3 times per year.

Can you use soda crystals in a macerator?

They recommended, every couple of months, putting soda crystals down the loo, flushing it, turning the unit off halfway through the cycle so that water is sitting in the unit, leaving it for a couple of hours, then restoring power.

How often should you service a Saniflo toilet?

Saniflo Macerators need descaling at least twice a year for normal use but in areas of really hard water or heavy use then the recommended descaling frequency should be 3-4 times per year.

Can I use bleach in a Saniflo toilet?

It is important never to use products containing bleach in a saniflo macerator as bleach corrodes the seal around the macerator valve. This results in a faulty system as the macerator cannot sense when to open or close.

Can you put a Saniflo outside?

Saniflo can easily be installed anywhere on any finished floor.

How far can a macerator toilet pump?

The unit pumps the effluent upward to 15 feet and/or 150 feet horizontally (with gravity fall). Once the water level in the container goes down, the micro switch deactivates the unit until the flush is activated again.

Do you need building regs for a macerator toilet?

You need to apply for building regulations approval. Pumped shower waste systems are useful if you need to pump water up to your drainage system.

How much water does a macerator toilet use?

Macerating toilets are as durable as standard toilets, usually working for around 10 to 15 years before any parts need replacing. They’re also easy on the environment. While some models use the standard 1.6 gallons per flush (GPF), most upflush toilets use around 1.28 GPF, with some using as little as 0.8 GPF.

Are macerating toilets bad for septic systems?

Macerating toilets are safe to use with septic systems. Note: Macerating toilets are not recommended as a primary toilet. Though this may be unavoidable in some circumstances, understand that because of the various mechanical parts working together in the unit, failure can come more quickly than with a standard toilet.

Why does my macerator keeps running?

If the pump keeps randomly firing at different times of the day and night, then it’s likely you have a problem with the microswitch. This could be caused by either a fault with the rubber membrane that activates the switch or it could be that waste is lodged between the switch and the floor.