Saniflo FAQ

A SANIFLO unit is normally behind a WC suite with a horizontal outlet spigot BS EN 33 or 37. SANIFLO installations require connection to an electrical power supply (5 amp unswitched fused spur) and water supply to the WC suite. For the discharge, a small bore pipe (solvent weld plastic or copper 22mm or 32mm depending upon model) must discharge into a soil and vent pipe / discharge stack. It is also possible to discharge into a manhole.

It is possible to run the discharge from a SANIFLO unit into a septic tank. Make sure that the pipe is on a fall and suitably protected underground.

SANIFLO Ltd, have specially designed the Sanipack to enable the complete concealment of pipework with back to wall and wall hung sanitaryware. Saniwall is supplied as a kit comprising a macerator, dual flush cistern and steel mounting frame for a wall hung toilet (which is NOT supplied).

As the function of the units is to pump waste and water away, it should not usually be necessary to dig up the floor to lay the discharge pipework. It is possible to run the pipework from low level to a higher level, e.g. from a basement to ground floor level, or from first floor up into a roofspace and then join to a soil stack.

A SANIFLO macerator can only be fitted with a WC which is BS EN 33 or 37 Horizontal outlet.

A SANIFLO is normally discharged into a soil and vent pipe or discharge stack. However, it is possible to connect directly into the sewer at invert level. The discharge pipe should discharge into the gulley in the direction of flow. Entry can be through the wall of the manhole, which should be sealed to ensure a watertight joint. Pipes should be suitable for use underground and protected against frost and also against subsidence from the effect of vehicles passing above.

The inlets accept waste water by gravity. They do not suck in water. All pipework into the units must have a positive gravity fall (1 in 33).

All discharge pipework should be either copper or rigid solvent weld plastic. Flexible pipes (e.g. those normally using metal grab ring joints) can be used. However, this pipework is only suitable if used without joints since these tend to narrow the bore of the pipe, and also it should be supported every 1/2 metre to avoid dipping in the piperun.

A SANIFLO macerator is designed to fit on the back of a WC. However, it is possible to install the unit behind some panelling by utilising a short extension piece which should not exceed 150mm in length. Longer extensions tend to cause an accumulation of waste at the entry to the SANIFLO product.

Saniflo, Sanitop, Saniplus, Sanichasse, Sanishower, Sanislim, Sanipack, Sanipro & Sanibest will all discharge in 22mm. Sanivite, Sanispeed, Sanicom and Sanicompact must discharge in 32mm.

All SANIFLO units now operate more quietly than ever before, however we still recommend that the unit is placed on some carpeting, rubber matting, underlay, or similar material to absorb vibration. Where noise is a critical factor, it is recommended that in addition to the above, the unit is boxed in and the void filled with insulation material such as rockwool. However, you should ensure that the unit easily accessible for future maintenance.

A Saniflo macerator can NOT be discharged into surface water drains. It must discharge into a soil/discharge stack or sewer. Our waste water only pumps such as Sanishower, Sanivite, etc., can however discharge into surface water drain/open gulley in the same way as gravity discharging “grey water” currently does. Grey water can NOT discharge into a rain water gulley.

Sanipro is designed for the addition of an en-suite shower room for example in a large bedroom, where an area can be given over to en-suite facilities such as a WC, shower and wash hand basin. Saniplus is designed for the addition of a complete bathroom with a WC, bath, hand wash basin, and even bidet (if desired).

For the Saniflo range of macerators, you must use sanitary ware manufactured to BS EN 33 or 37 (horizontal outlet spigot)

Items of this nature should not be disposed of through the domestic Saniflo macerator range as they are likely to cause a blockage. However, our professional units Sanibest and Sanicubic are suitable for this type of product.

You must not dispose of solvents such as white spirit, turpentine or other paint brush cleaners, via a Saniflo unit. Such chemicals will damage the rubber/neoprene components in the machine and invalidate the warranty.

We do not recommend the use of drain unblocking products (e.g. containing acids, etc.) as these will tend to damage the rubber and/or plastic components within the unit.We recommend that you instead contact us to arrange for an engineer call-out.

Correctly used and installed Saniflo units should not emit any smells. The latest models also have a carbon filter incorporated into the air inlet valve. We also recommend a regular cleaning routine to keep your Saniflo in optimum condition.

All normal Saniflo products rely on gravity in order to function. If you were to use one of these products in a low / level access installation then it would need to be sited below the level of the shower waste, which would be extremely impractical. The Saniflo Showermatic pump actually sucks the waste water from the shower waste and therefore can be installed above the height of the waste itself meaning it is easily accessible and far easier to install.

It utilises a patented peristaltic mechanism which means that it is virtually silent in operation.

It utilises a patented “auto gully” that switches on the pump the moment water is sensed in the shower waste. The pump will remain on as long as water is there.

There are several ways in which this can be achieved. In most situations a low (40mm high) shower tray would require the addition of a riser kit (adjustable feet) to be fitted in order to raise the tray sufficiently for the waste trap to be fitted above floor level. In some cases you may find this acceptable, but the addition of these feet will raise the height of the tray to over 100mm, which may defeat the whole purpose of having a low level tray! As part of the Sanilife range of products, Saniflo have developed a tray/ pump combination that is only 46mm in height with nothing below tray level and yet can still evacuate waste water easily without either having to dig the floor or raise the tray. Just look for details of the Traymatic.

Sanicubic is part of our professional range and is a pump for discharge of waste from multiple WC’s and other waste water producing appliances. The waste is pumped through 50mm pipework.It pumps up to 11m vertically or 100m horizontally or a lesser combination of vertical and horizontal.

Discharge pipe size for Sanicubic is 50mm. It is also very important that the air vent (50mm) should be open at the top. Do not install an air admittance valve as the Sanicubic will not operate correctly if you do. Always fit isolation valves (both inlet and outlet) since servicing may be very difficult if not impossible without this. Any shower tray must be raised 250mm off the ground if used with Sanicubic. Lastly, a row of WC’s (maximum 3 in a row) should be fitted with elliptical pan connectors to get a continuous fall into the Sanicubic. Sanicbic is able to pump maximum 3 WC’s at the same time.

Sanicubic is able to pump away the waste from several WC’s in a commercial environment. For example it will pump away the waste from three WC’s simultaneously and has four WC inlet connections. Its twin heavy duty motors make it ideal for demanding high usage situations. It will handle waste water from several hand basins, sinks, showers, baths, washing machines and dishwashers. However total maximum inflow of waste should be less than 80% of the maximum possible flow rate of the Sanicubic for that installation. Please refer to “performance curve” on the Sanicubic instructions.