Sanitoilet vs. traditional toilets when adding a toilet

When adding a new toilet, the familiar approach is usually to connect it to the building’s gravity drainage system. This traditional installation method requires suitable pipework, sufficient slope and a connection point near the main drainage stack. If these conditions are not available, the building may require floor cutting or floor raising. However, Sanitoilet and traditional toilet systems offer different approaches, as wastewater is no longer entirely dependent on gravity. So, how do the two approaches differ, and when should each one be considered?

Key highlights

• Context: The building needs to add a toilet at a location without an existing drainage connection.
• Challenge: The traditional approach requires suitable pipework, slope and connection points, and may involve floor cutting or floor raising.
• Solution: Sanitoilet uses a macerator pump and a smaller discharge pipe to support toilet installation where gravity drainage is difficult.
• Result: The building owner has a clearer basis for selecting a solution according to the space, installation conditions and usage requirements.

The challenge of adding a toilet

When adding a toilet at a new location, the building must determine how wastewater will connect to the existing system. Gravity drainage generally requires suitable pipework, slope and a connection point. If the space does not meet these conditions, installation may involve floor cutting, breaking or floor adjustments.

The main challenge is not installing the toilet itself, but connecting wastewater from the new toilet to the receiving point. Difficulties may arise when the new location is far from the main drainage stack, in a basement, inside a completed building or in an area where creating a suitable pipe slope is difficult.

Before selecting a solution, consider:

• The location of the additional toilet.
• The distance to the existing drainage system.
• Whether the pipe can be installed with sufficient slope.
• The space available for the pipe route.
• The potential impact on the floor and ongoing building activities.
• The wastewater receiving point after installation.

Traditional toilet approach: gravity drainage

A traditional toilet approach uses gravity drainage to carry wastewater through a pipe with a suitable size and slope. This method is generally convenient when the toilet is close to the main drainage stack, the available level is suitable and the connection to the existing system is straightforward.

When adding a toilet, the pipe route must follow the correct direction and meet the required slope. If the new location is far from the main drainage stack, lower than the receiving point or short of space for the pipe route, gravity drainage may be difficult to implement.

In a completed building, creating a new drainage route may involve:

• Adjusting the floor level or installation height.
• Cutting or breaking the floor where the pipe needs to pass.
• Modifying part of the existing drainage route.
• Reconfiguring the space to achieve the required slope.
• Affecting activities taking place in the installation area.

On the other hand, if the building is under construction, the floor is not yet completed or a suitable connection point is already available, the gravity drainage route can be planned from the beginning. In this case, the approach may still be suitable for adding a toilet.

Sanitoilet: a solution for locations difficult to connect to gravity drainage

Sanitoilet is a range of macerator pumps designed for toilets. The equipment receives wastewater and waste from the toilet, macerates the solid waste and pumps it to the designed receiving point. This allows Sanitoilet to support toilet installation in locations that are difficult to connect to gravity drainage.

Sanitoilet operates through a forced-pumping mechanism. After the solid waste is macerated, the pump creates pressure to move wastewater through the pipe to the receiving point, instead of relying on gravity and pipe slope. Depending on the model and installation conditions, the system can pump wastewater up to 7 m vertically or 100 m horizontally.

Macerating the waste before pumping helps the flow pass more easily through the pipe and supports a lower risk of blockage. The wastewater is then pumped through a discharge pipe that is considerably smaller than a conventional drainage pipe, providing greater flexibility for pipe routing and more convenient integration into the space and interior design.

Sanitoilet may be considered when:

• The additional toilet is far from the main drainage stack.
• The space does not allow a suitable slope for the pipe.
• The building is already completed and floor adjustments should be minimised.
• Space for the pipe route is limited.
• The building owner wants to add a toilet without changing the entire drainage system.

You can learn more about the Sanitoilet solution from SFA Pumps.

Comparing Sanitoilet and gravity drainage

The main difference lies in how wastewater is conveyed to the receiving point. Sanitoilet uses a macerator pump and a suitable discharge pipe, while the traditional approach relies on gravity, pipe slope and a drainage route designed for gravity flow.

When should you choose the traditional approach?

The traditional approach is generally suitable when the building already provides the conditions needed for a gravity drainage route. It can be a practical option when the connection point is nearby, the available height is sufficient and installing the pipe will not significantly affect the structure or ongoing activities.

You may consider this approach when:

• The toilet is close to the main drainage pipe.
• The building allows the required pipe slope.
• There is sufficient space for the pipe route.
• Floor adjustments or pipe installation are acceptable.
• The building is under construction or the floor is not yet completed.
• The owner prefers a familiar gravity drainage system.

When these conditions are available, the traditional approach can meet the building’s needs without installing an additional macerator pump. However, the drawings, levels and connection conditions should still be checked before making a final decision.

When should you consider Sanitoilet?

Sanitoilet is worth considering when the building needs to add a toilet at a location that is difficult to connect to gravity drainage. The macerator pump can support wastewater discharge through a suitable pipe route to the receiving point, depending on the model and installation conditions.

This solution may be suitable when:

• A toilet is being added to a completed building.
• The toilet is located in a basement or another area where creating a slope is difficult.
• Space for a conventional drainage route is limited.
• The new location is far from the existing drainage stack.
• Floor cutting, breaking or floor raising should be minimised where possible.
• The building needs additional convenience without changing the entire drainage system.

Although Sanitoilet offers greater flexibility in many situations, the model still needs to be selected correctly. The number of connected fixtures, pumping height, pumping distance and connection point can all affect the installation solution.