Worrying when you encounter a problem with your macerator toilet is understandable, primarily since they operate differently than standard toilets. Such a toilet offers many benefits, including the ability to install it anywhere, but what are the macerator toilet problems?
Macerator toilets can stop draining, flushing, leak, produce a loud noise, or stop working entirely. In addition, you may realize the pump starts on its own, and the toilet can stop holding water and starts emitting a foul smell.
Generally, diagnosing the issue is the first step for finding the appropriate solution, and this post explores different problems you should consider when troubleshooting a faulty macerator toilet.
This post will also cover the fundamentals of macerator toilets’ functioning, lifespan, and how to unblock them.
Macerator Toilet Problems (Problems & Solutions)
The table below summarizes macerator toilet problems and their respective solutions.
| Problem | Probable Cause | Recommended Solution | |
| 1. | Toilet not draining | A foreign object is trapped by the blades, the rubber membrane or return valve are faulty. | Check whether tissue paper is trapped by the blades. Also, check the rubber membrane and return valve and replace them if faulty. |
| 2. | Toilet not flushing | The macerator and the waste outlet pipe are clogged, no air compression in the air pipe, or faulty return valves, rubber membrane, or microswitch. | Replace the damaged return valves, rubber membrane, or microswitch or unclog the macerator and the waste outlet pipe. |
| 3. | Toilet not working | Clogged wasteline or internal mechanism. | Unclog the wasteline or internal mechanism. |
| 4. | Macerator is not holding water | Faulty vent or drooped pump outlet. | Fix the pump outlet or the faulty vent. |
| 5. | A foul smell coming from the macerator | Human waste and limescale accumulation. | Clean the toilet according to the manufacturer’s instructions. |
| 6. | The macerator pump starts on its own | Damaged microswitch or rubber membrane | Install new microswitch and rubber membrane. |
1. Macerator Toilet Not Draining
Your toilet not draining could result from a faulty rubber membrane, return valve, or a foreign material getting trapped by the blades.
The discharge connection directly above the floor or through the flooring using a 90-degree elbow could also cause the problem. Raising the top of the tube underneath the water level in the toilet bowl during installation causes water to drain poorly from the bowl.
Fix
- Wear protective gear to protect your body from contact with solid fecal matter.
- Turn off the power to the macerator toilet.
- Turn the lever towards the rear of the tank to halt the water flow.
- Drain water from your toilet.
- Place a bucket beneath the pipe that runs from the macerator toilet top.
- Drain the remaining water into the bucket by loosening the pipes with a wrench.
- Disconnect the pipes and use a plumbing snake or warm water to remove any obstructions accumulated inside.
- Remove the screws from the macerator system’s base and squeeze the two extremes of the metal clip on the connector.
- Remove the macerator from the rear of the toilet. If any more water spills, clean it up as required.
- If the connection at the back of your toilet becomes clogged, flush it with warm water.
- Reconfigure the toilet and pipes, restart the water flow, and restore electricity to the macerator system.
In addition to the procedure above, avoid kinking or pinching hoses.
2. Macerator Toilet Not Flushing
A failed flush could arise from a lack of air compression in the air pipe of your toilet. Moreover, a clog in the macerator and the waste outlet pipe could inhibit your toilet’s flushing capabilities.
Alternatively, there might be a problem with the return valves or a fault in the rubber membrane of the unit. A faulty microswitch can also cause your macerator toilet not to flush.
In some cases, a blown motor or capacitor can be the cause. If that happens, you’ll need to replace the macerator.
Fix
- Turn off the bathroom breaker and restart it.
- If it doesn’t work, check for waste clogging in the macerator water tank and unclog it.
3. Macerator Toilet Not Working
In this case, the internal mechanism or the waste line is most likely clogged. When the plumbers install outflow pipes incorrectly, waste pipe clogs might occur.
If the waste pipe exiting the pump is at 90 degrees, your macerator has been placed improperly.
Fix
Try using a plunger or plumbing snake to remove the blockage. If it doesn’t help, you may have to hire a plumber to assist clear the blockage.
4. Macerator Toilet Not Holding Water
In some scenarios, a macerator toilet can only hold roughly 3 inches of water in the bowel. If you put water in the bowel, it will seep out, but the toilet will flush normally.
The vent might be jammed or faulty, forcing water to drain from the bowl. Apart from that, your macerator pump outlet could have drooped, allowing water in the bowl to drain.
Fix
- Press the flush pedal to unlock the half-ball.
- Pull up on the seal by dipping your hand into the dish and removing it.
- Use a non-abrasive cleanser such as Dawn dish soap to clean the seal.
- Make the seal soft and malleable by soaking it in warm water for around five minutes.
- Close the half ball and place the seal in the bowl region while tracing it with your finger.
- Press the half ball gently to seat it back down beneath the inner rim.
5. The Macerator Pump Starting on Its Own
If your macerator pump continues to start on its own, there is a good chance you have a faulty microswitch. Complications with macerator toilet microswitches occur when there is a flaw, like a misfiring microswitch.
Though your microswitch malfunctions, the macerator will assume it is full even if it is empty. It means you have to replace the micro switch for the pump to reset.
Moreover, a faulty rubber membrane will allow waste to enter the switch, causing difficulties across the system.
Fix
Contact a certified engineer to install a new rubber membrane and micro switch.
6. Foul Smell Coming from the Macerator
If you’ve kept your macerator running for a long time and have started to notice unpleasant odors emanating from the toilet, it probably needs a thorough cleaning. It’s due to the accumulation of limescale and human waste in the 2-3 inches of water inside the macerator.
Fix
The macerator provides cleaning instructions, but you may also do a regular cleaning regimen using a descaler and bleach to keep the unit clean and free of foul odors for longer.
How Does a Macerator Toilet Work?
- You can find Saniflo macerators in bathrooms, toilets, and utility rooms. The macerating machine softens and churns waste flowing through the pump, thus making it easy to dispose of.
- Waste moves via the pump rather than going straight to the outflow pipelines when you flush a toilet with a macerator pump. The macerating action will begin once the machine detects the amount of waste.
- While the blade turns solid materials into liquid, the inflow valves will be briefly closed. Once the macerator blade completes its task, the valves open, pushing the liquid into the outlet pipes.
- You can find these pipes in industrial and commercial settings where massive solids change into liquids that can be disposed of effortlessly.
- You may attach the macerator to different plumbing facilities, including toilets, showers, bathtubs, dishwashers, and washing machines. Due to the robust pumping system, you may set up plumbing in places where typical outlet pipes would be unable to remove waste.
Are Macerator Toilets Noisy
- The macerator makes no more noise than a toilet flush. The decibel level of sound produced varies from installation to installation, depending on the model and the surroundings.
- That explains why the brands don’t provide decibel values on their units. The newer silent range produces 10dB less than the previous model.
- Moreover, the brand recommends you stick to the installation guide to prevent sound vibration propagation. To achieve superior soundproofing, place a layer of soundproofing between your macerator and the flooring and or wall.
How To Unblock a Macerator Toilet
- A blocked macerator indicates the blade trapped toilet paper or other foreign objects and that entanglement is causing friction. When this happens, contact a technician to help you correct the mess.
- A plumber will first cut off the power supply to unclog the macerator. He will detach the macerator’s cover to access the clogging material.
- To dislodge this waste, use pliers to rotate the macerator blades anticlockwise. Do cautious clearance of any material causing the clogging.
- If the fault is in the macerator pump, remove the motor from your toilet to reach the pump. Then, you’ll have to turn the system upside down to see the impellers.
- If the problem is with the macerator blades, use pliers to clear the waste. After that, reinstall the motor into your toilet.
How Long Does a Toilet Macerator Last?
A macerator is essentially a second toilet constructed to handle a modest amount of traffic, lasting up to ten years, depending on how you use it. If you employ it in a heavily trafficked area, such as student housing, anticipate it to last roughly three years.
It is expensive to replace should it malfunction. Additionally, excessive use of bleach and other cleaning chemicals might shrink and harm the rubber membrane.
Final Remarks on Macerator Toilet Problems
Attempting to address macerator toilet problems without expert help might worsen the issue and result in significant damage. If you’re experiencing macerator toilet troubles but can’t find an answer above or don’t have the competence or time to fix the problem yourself, contact a professional.
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