Saniflo toilets provide a method of easily installing a toilet anywhere in the home without having to do extensive plumbing works. Theyâre particularly useful for rooms that are below the drainage line and canât rely on gravity for human waste removal.
Saniflo toilets use an upflush system powered by electricity and contain a macerator which pulverises solid waste when you flush the toilet. The waste is then pumped to a septic tank or to the main sewer pipe and the Saniflo then replenishes its own water supply.
Despite having some benefits, macerating toilets typically clog more easily than standard toilets, and there are not as many ways or products available to help with this compared to normal toilet systems. Household products like standard toilet cleaner may damage the Saniflo system and plungers can even break the macerator pump.
Thatâs why weâve provided this helpful guide on how to repair a Saniflo toilet, including common Saniflo problems and how to avoid them. Read on to learn more.
But if youâre in any way unsure, itâs best to get a service engineer in before more damage is done. Get in touch with us today for advice and for a free, no-obligation quote on repairing a Saniflo toilet by a professional.
What Can Cause a Saniflo to Break?
These are the common causes of Saniflo units not working and therefore the most common things to avoid:
- Too much toilet paper: As with normal toilets, flushing too much toilet paper in a Saniflo can cause a blockage.
- Infrequent flushing: Saniflo toilets must be flushed at least once per today or the tank can deteriorate.
- Saniflo has been used during a power cut: As a Saniflo toilet works by electricity, you canât use it if your power is out.
How to Repair a Saniflo Toilet
Here are some of the common Sanifo problems and how to fix them.
Saniflo Constantly Flushing Itself
If your Saniflo toilet is frequently flushing on its own, it could be a blockage in the macerator blade, in the pump, or in the waste outlet pipe. Hereâs how to fix:
- Blockage in the Saniflo macerator
To fix this, remove the lid of the Saniflo and remove the obstruction. You can achieve this by using a tool like pliers to turn the macerator blades.
- Blockage in the pump
Take the motor out from the Saniflo and turn it upside down in order to see the pump impellers. Remove the blockage with pliers and replace the motor.
- Blockage in the waste outlet pipe
If you find that the waste you flush is returned after flushing the toilet, there could be a foreign object in the waste outlet pipe. To check, remove the lid of the Saniflo unit and look inside the return valve. Discard anything that is stuck with small pliers.
Saniflo Pump Keeps Starting on Its Own
- Microswitch misfiring
You need to manually remove any waste between the switch and the tank floor if your Saniflo keeps acting as though itâs full. Do this then restart the pump.
- Excess water
A dripping tap or an overflowing toilet could cause surplus water to get into the Saniflo system. Contact a professional to help with this as it could be part of a larger plumbing issue.
Saniflo Emitting Foul Smell
- Build-up of limescale and human waste
You Saniflo does need to be descaled occasionally to avoid build-ups like this. However, itâs important you donât do this in the same way you would descale a normal toilet as many household products can damage Saniflo systems. Read our full guide to descaling a Saniflo toilet.
Saniflo Tripping the Electrics
- Water build-up
When your Saniflo toilet causes your electrics to trip, itâs usually because water is getting into the circuit and leading it to shut off. This is potentially dangerous to try to fix yourself, so you should get a trained service engineer to repair it – contact us now.
- Worn or faulty motor
Again, itâs safest to get a professional in if a new macerator is needed due to an issue with the motor seal.
Saniflo Running But Not Pumping Waste Out
- Waste pipes are frozen
This often happens during the winter months when temperatures outside are below freezing. The easiest way to fix this is by warming up the pipes with hot towels. As ever, if this doesnât work, get a professional in. Be sure to also read our expert tips for how to prevent frozen pipes.Â
Saniflo Foaming/Leaking Out of Air Vent
- Microwsitch needs to be replaced
The microswitch may be old and therefore not firing until the tank is full. When the spinning mechanism does eventually activate, it causes wastewater to escape from the air vents because of how full the tank is. This is another problem best solved by an expert.
Get Your Saniflo Fixed by a Professional
There are a number of potential causes of problems for Saniflo toilets and it can be a hard and, frankly, unpleasant job to get to the root of the issue let alone to repair it. Often, Sanfilo toilets are installed incorrectly with the waste pipe at the wrong angle, causing frequent obstructions.
Fixing this can be a tricky job and itâs crucial to get it right – thatâs where the expert plumbing engineers at BlockBusters come in. We have over 25 years of experience with drainage and plumbing services and have installed, repaired and replaced countless Saniflo systems.
Contact the team