Saniflo toilets are a popular choice for many reasons, including their easy installation which allows for minimal complex plumbing works. They work differently from standard toilets in that they use an upflush system powered by a pulverising macerating blade and electricity.
As theyâre different to typical toilet systems, they have different maintenance and cleaning needs. Usual methods for descaling toilets with usual toilet cleaners can damage Saniflo pump components, so itâs important you know how to properly descale your Saniflo toilet.
A Saniflo unit with a macerator that hasnât been descaled can lead to limescale build-up, which produces a foul smell and contributes greatly to the decline in functionality of your Saniflo. Read on to learn the proper method to use to clean and descale a Saniflo toilet as well as how often you should do it and what products to look out for.
Descaling Your Saniflo Toilet
While descaling a Saniflo toilet is a simple and easy process, there are some essential dos and donâts to ensure the continuing functionality of your unit. Never use bathroom chemicals and standard descaler products to clean your Saniflo unit as they can cause premature breakdowns that lead to costly and disruptive repair works.
What Products Should I Use to Descale My Saniflo?
Specially-made Saniflo products are your best bet for cleaning and maintenance. The Saniflo descaler, from the brand itself, is best suited to cleaning your unit as itâs specifically tailored to the Saniflo macerator pump and all its components.
If you donât go for their branded products, just make sure the descaling product you buy contains phosphoric acid. This is the best chemical to use for descaling a Saniflo as itâs gentle enough for a macerator system while still being an effective limescale and dirt-buster.
You can also use white vinegar as a natural method of descaling without harming the rubber seals. If you choose to do this, mix it with water to make a solution that is enough to cover the grinding blade in your macerating system and leave it to stand for about an hour before flushing the toilet again.
What Happens if I Use the Wrong Products on My Saniflo?
When you use products not designed for Saniflos, or if you just never clean your Saniflo full-stop, limescale and human waste can build up and prevent the system from going on or off when itâs supposed to.
Bleach and other toilet cleaners, or products like kettle descalers, will only damage the internal rubber parts, causing them to shrink. If your rubber membrane is damaged, then the Saniflo switch can become overly sensitive and start turning itself on when it doesnât need to be on. This can sometimes lead to your system overheating and breaking.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Descaling Your Saniflo Toilet
Once you have the right product, the method is very simple:
- The first step is to disconnect the macerator from the electric supply to ensure your safety when descaling your Saniflo.
- Then, pour around 2.5 litres of the descaling product you have into the toilet bowl. If you have a Sanipro or a Saniplus toilet, pour double this amount as the larger macerator size means these toilets require more product to work effectively.
- You then need to switch the macerator pump on for just a few seconds, so that the descaler is able to actually enter it fully.
- Switch off the macerator again and let the descaling product sit and work its magic for a couple of hours. Avoid flushing the toilet at all during this time.
- When the 2 hours have passed by, you can connect the macerator pump back to the power supply and flush the toilet once more to rinse the system.
Note that if you leave the product for more than the 2-hour maximum it could damage the components in your macerating system, so be sure to properly time it.
How Often Should You Descale a Saniflo Toilet?
The answer to this depends on the water hardness in your area. In areas with hard water, you should descale your Saniflo toilet once a month as the limescale content of harder water is higher. For areas with softer water, around 2-4 times per year should suffice.
Get a Free Quote on Saniflo Servicing
You can undertake a variety of home methods in the upkeep of your Saniflo system and prolong its life. But nothing beats getting a professional in. We have over 25 years of experience with drainage and plumbing services which includes countless Saniflo installations and repairs. Our experts are highly-trained and can help identify any small issues before they become big problems. Get in touch for a no-obligation quote today, completely free of charge.
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