Are you curious as to what an up flush toilet really is? You aren’t alone. Many people wonder if they need one and what the benefits are. The answer isn’t straightforward, but we’ll outline the benefits of an up flush toilet and tell you why you may want to consider purchasing one for your bathroom.
Recent reports from Houzz indicate individuals tend to spend half an hour to one hour daily in the bathroom, which may be why there are reports of bathroom renovations generating a higher rate of return when it comes to home value. Additionally, renovating a bathroom can create better functionality and allow it to be more user-friendly.
What is an Up Flush Toilet?
Up flush toilets (also known as macerating toilets) aren’t new as many European countries have utilized them for years. Saniflo created the first version of a macerator toilet in 1958 in Western Europe to resolve the issue of tight spaces. This made it easier to install new bathrooms right below pre-existing lateral lines.
The up flush toilet has gained popularity in North American markets over the past decade. These toilets make it easy for homeowners to add a basement bathroom or add a toilet bowl to other areas where they cannot add pipes or plumbing. Up flush toilets allow you to establish temporary commodes for lengthy visitors or renters.
You can install an up flush toilet kit in any bathroom without requiring additional pipes or plumbing. Installing this self-contained toilet system on your own is easy and will only take about four hours to complete – even if you are inexperienced.
These toilets are brilliantly simple because they rethink how a toilet functions. They also make it feasible to install new bathrooms economically as an up flush toilet kit is affordable.
How Well Does it Work?
This toilet works in the same manner as a standard toilet. Waste enters the toilet and is removed through the bowl’s flushing action. The difference between the toilets is what happens with the waste upon removal.
A conventional toilet uses downward gravity to flush directly into the pipes and septic tank. Conversely, an up flush toilet system discharges waste out the back of the unit and into a pump containing a macerator tank (garbage disposal system). Waste is ground and the macerator pump sends it into the PVC piping. Then it goes to the existing stack.
Up flush toilets have a small white macerator pump unit resting on the floor behind the toilet or one that connects to the extension. This hides your pump behind the wall. If you choose to have it behind the wall, a macerating toilet is indistinguishable from a conventional toilet. All that is required is an electrical outlet.
How Does it Accomplish This?
If you saw standard toilets and up flush toilets side-by-side, you wouldn’t be able to tell them apart. Both contain heavy, large porcelain bowls and a standard seat. Both flush when the lever is pressed and look great with any decor.
The difference is the flush. Traditional toilets flush with the help of gravity. Waste goes down the drain of a gravity toilet, while the up flush toilet discharges the solid waste out the back. Using a pump tank and macerator, an up flush toilet system shreds waste and pumps it out through the stack.
Macerators use a rapid-cutting blade to turn waste into a slurry. The blades automatically spin to grind up solid waste. The macerating pump moves waste. It runs up a ¾-1″ PVC pipe to the main stack. Then the toilet tank empties.
Why You Need One
Up flush toilets are an economical method to renovate a home. These toilets are wonderful when you need a new bathroom but are on a budget and don’t want to spend a great deal of money on it. Here are the benefits of incorporating these toilets into your bathroom design:
- You can add them anywhere. You can transform unused space or empty closets into a bathroom using a simple and quick process. They also allow you to create a temporary bathroom if your home is being renovated, or if you are caring for an elderly family member.
- They are less expensive. An up flush toilet costs a fraction of traditional toilet installations. You can save over a thousand dollars as opposed to hiring a plumber for a days-long bathroom reno. This becomes an ideal choice for budget-conscious homeowners.
- New bathrooms boost the value of your home. Adding additional full bathrooms can boost your home’s value by over 20%. Unfortunately, the cost of installing a new one can be $50,000. When an up flush toilet is installed, you can save money and time.
- You can install it yourself. You can install an up flush toilet in approximately four hours without previous plumbing experience.
- They have a long lifespan. These toilets last for 10-15 years before requiring any replacements.
- They come with a great warranty. Up flush toilets have a three-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Please note that up-flush toilets are not composting toilets. While it is easy to confuse the two, the differences are stark. Composting toilets utilize evaporation and decomposition to address waste while providing the benefits of composting. Up flush toilets are the same as traditional toilets, but they operate on a system that is engineered differently.
Our Top 3 Up Flush Toilet Recommendations
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty Pumps ASCENTII-ESW MACERATOR & Elong TLT System, White | Check Latest Price | |
| SANIFLO Saniaccess 3 Pump - Full Bath Macerator Pump - Residential | Check Latest Price |
Liberty Pumps ASCENTII-ESW 1/2 HP, 115VESW Macerating Toilet
The Liberty Pumps Ascent II macerating toilet system is a top-of-the-line macerating toilet system with one of the best and easiest maintenance methods available. The pump can power up to 25 feet vertically through its discharge pipe thanks to its high efficiency characteristics.
The WaterSense® certification certifies this high-quality macerating toilet, which is extended in the back and round in the front. Insulated tanks, which assist prevent condensation and perspiration, are also included as a bonus feature in this toilet.
IST solid state switching, a built-in alarm, and LED lights with external touchpad for alarm silence and manual override are some of the other characteristics that set it apart from the competition.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy and quick installation
- Low water consumption
Cons
- Not very quiet
- The blade will require changing once a year
Saniflo SaniAccess3 Macerator Pump with Elongated Toilet
A 5-hp motor powers this macerating toilet, which can pump up to 15 feet vertically. It also includes quick access panels, which makes it genuinely distinctive, making the procedure of disconnecting the pump much easier. The Saniflo SaniAccess 3 is a great option if you need a kit that can be adjusted a lot.
The Saniflo SaniAccess 3 has an elongated bowl, which is one of the most popular and comfortable bowl styles. The Saniflo SaniAccess 3 is an excellent investment for your bathroom and offers a 2-year warranty for the pump and a 1 year warranty for the toilet bowl and tank. If you register online at Saniflo then you will get an extended warranty of 1 year.
This simple to install unit which only requires a connection to the water supply, the toilet connected to the pump, and the pump connected to the pipe. This is a terrific all-in-one solution.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Design that is space saving
- Powerful 5HP Motor
Cons
- Water level is low
SANIFLO Sanicompact – Dual-flush System – Residential
The Saniflo Sanicompact is one of the most space-saving models on the market, with a modern shape and design that helps you save space in your bathroom. This compact type is ideal for homes with limited space, as it keeps your options open, your floor plan open, and your water cost low.
The Saniflo Sanicompact is ideal for a half-bath in your home and can (and should) be positioned about 9 feet below the sewer line or up to 100 feet away from a soil stack. It’s also another macerating toilet that DIYers and homeowners may easily install.
It also doesn’t need to be vented or attached to any form of vent stack, which makes installation easier. With a weight of only 62 pounds, you may easily complete this task on your own.
Pros
- Compact space saving design
- Incredibly lightweight
- Low water consumption
Cons
- It is noisy
- Water level is low
Conclusion
There are many benefits to incorporating an up flush toilet into your bathroom. Whether you are looking for an affordable way to remodel your existing space, create a temporary bathroom, or want to add a new bathroom to your home, an up flush toilet is a very cost-effective solution.
Why spend additional money installing a standard toilet when it isn’t necessary? Up flush toilets look exactly like a standard model. The main difference is in how it breaks down waste. Up flush toilets are a great investment. They last longer, are affordable, and can be placed anywhere, making them an obvious choice for any bathroom remodel.
Also Read: The Pros and Cons of Pressure Assisted Toilets