‘More than just plumbers!’
Saniflo problems

We Are Plumbing &

Heating Experts

FREE QUOTE TODAY

Saniflo problems

Primarily, Saniflo systems work efficiently and are reliable for a long time because of their durability. But, the machines sometimes get old and go wrong or have a system breakdown, which can be pretty frustrating.

Don't worry, since depending on the situation, you can quickly fix it.

Whether your Saniflo is leaking or a foreign object obstructs the system, we understand that a broken Saniflo could ruin your day. Therefore, we'll help you understand common Saniflo problems and possible simple solutions. Keep reading for some insightful information!

Saniflo problems

BOOK ONLINE TODAY OR CALL US NOW FOR A FREE QUOTE

Call us on

0800 0862643

What's Saniflo?

Saniflo macerator pump brand deals with waste removal. The brand is trendy where the location is far from the drainage line or where you want to pump against the force of gravity. Primarily, it's used in the toilet, but it can also go a long way in the utility and kitchen.

In this article, we'll highlight the common Saniflo macerator problems and how to mend them. Where we indicate a solution, only attempt if you're confident to carry it out correctly. Otherwise, you should engage a qualified Saniflo technician for assistance.

So, let's look at the common Saniflo problems and how you can deal with them.

What's Saniflo?

DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT - SEE WHAT
OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE SAID

  • I have used Plumb Guardian twice, each time the service has been prompt. They told me what needed to be done, gave me options and got to work! No mess and no fuss.

    Alex

    Positive: Punctuality, Quality, Responsiveness Engineer was punctual, part was fitted quickly & very helpful with advise for future work needed.

    Sandra Ross

    Polite, clean and helpful engineer who took the time to explain the fault with my boiler. I have made an appointment for them to come back to fix a dripping tap in my bathroom.

    Simon

  • I was happy with Plumb Guardian quality of work,time keeping when fitting my new boiler. He removed all waste materials and kept the disturbance to my family at a minimum..

    Pauline

    Got working straight away at pace. Friendly and insisted on cleaning up after the work was completed.

    Sandra Ross

    Thank you very much for the Plumb Guardian . They were amazing with their business approach. Only l ended up paying more because l thought it was a roofer's job.I will definitely come back

    Brayton

Blocked Saniflo Macerator.

Blocked Saniflo Macerator.

Does your Saniflo toilet or sink have higher water levels than usual? That could indicate blockages that come by because of flashing baby wipes, food wastes or grease, and various sanitary products.

First, check out your Saniflo power supply because an issue could cause the blockage with the system motor. To diagnose motor issues, observe for buzzing noises and hot Saniflo. Having turned the Saniflo off, inspect for anything that's caught within that makes it malfunction. Finally, your motor-induced blockage may be due to the rubber membrane or the microswitch, which means you need to replace the macerator.

Also, blockages may result from obstructed waste pipes, especially from improper installations. If your waste pipe has an obstruction, contact a certified Saniflo engineer to resolve this Saniflo problem.

A Hot Saniflo Box.

A Hot Saniflo Box.

With a hot Saniflo box, chances are your motor is jammed. If you don't notice sooner that your motor is jammed, you will need to replace it because you can't repair it. As I said earlier, please ensure your electric supply is disconnected before inspecting the motor.

A Vibrating or Buzzing Saniflo.

A Vibrating or Buzzing Saniflo.

Did you notice an annoying buzz after you flush your toilet? Perhaps the macerator blade is lodged. There are three possible reasons why your Saniflo is buzzing; a blown capacitor, a blown motor, or a jammed capacitor. With a blown engine, you will have to replace it since you can't rectify it.

When it's an obstruction situation, please turn off your Saniflo, then remove its lid. Eliminate the foreign object caught in the blade. You can use small pliers to remove it to avoid an accident. For the other three, you may contact an expert for help.

Your Saniflo Starting on its own.

Your Saniflo Starting on its own.

Your macerator pump starting on its own could be due to a misfiring microswitch or a damaged rubber membrane. In some instances, the microswitch may misfire due to lodged waste at the tank's bottom between it and the switch.

The waste is confusing to the switch, making it perceive a full tank when it's not complete. Where the rubber membrane gets damaged, water enters the switch obliterating it. In that case, you have to replace both the membrane and the controller.

Saniflo is not Turning Off.

Saniflo is not Turning Off.

This problem occurs when Saniflo runs continuously and doesn't turn off once pumped. Macerator blockages, waste outlet pipe blockages, or pump blockages majorly cause your Saniflo not to turn off.

Other causes include pump blockages, the unit's rubber membrane, or return valve faultiness due to microswitch misfiring may also prevent your Saniflo from turning off. It may be challenging to diagnose and rectify this problem. However, you can try to turn off the water supply and engage professional assistance.

Sudden Saniflo Stops.

Sudden Saniflo Stops.

Macerator Saniflo units have a function for a thermal cut. It stops the electrics when a lot of water runs through the Saniflo system causing its motor to overheat, especially during hot baths or hot washing machines cycles.

When that happens, don't run hot washes with over ninety degrees. In this instance, you will notice water leakages through the vent of your Saniflo box, especially with older pumps that are worn out.

Also, the macerator pump may be jammed, during which the sudden stoppage happens to prevent motor damages. Please, turn off your pump and seek assistance from a Saniflo engineer.

A Leaking Saniflo.

A Leaking Saniflo.

Sometimes you may have Saniflo leakages. Leakages could be caused by waste buildup in the system, which requires manual removal.

Leakages also happen due to worn-out microswitches causing the water not to be pumped with enough pressure. Later, when triggered, it comes out through the vent. This problem is solved only by replacing the entire microswitch.

When you notice a leak, it might indicate that your motor needs replacing as it's near its end of life. The toilet cleaner you've been using causes the rubber waste outlet to shrink. When it continues to deteriorate and starts spraying water out the vent, consider replacing it.

Why your Saniflo foam out the vent.

Why your Saniflo foam out the vent.

Your Saniflo foams out the vent due to using too much bleach or cleaner while cleaning your toilet. If foaming progresses over time, the motor overheats and cuts out since it pumps water wrongly.

Therefore you can solve this by diluting the water to dissolve the foam. You can also turn on the macerator for fast busts.

Your Saniflo keeps tripping the electrics.

Your Saniflo keeps tripping the electrics.

If your Saniflo trips the electrics, it means that water that gets into the system causes the circuit to shut off to eliminate any further damages. To solve this problem, inspect your pump for any issues with the motor seal.

Ensure that you always turn off the electrics while you check your pump. After the inspection, you may engage a Saniflo engineer to conduct the appropriate and effective Saniflo repairs. Here, you need to acquire a new motor because they are unrepairable if it's faulty or worn.

A Smelling Saniflo.

A Smelling Saniflo.

Foul odors can come by due to human-waste buildup or limescale buildup in the water left in the Saniflo. However, follow the smell to tell whether it's your Saniflo emitting the bad smell. You can do that by flushing your toilet, then fill the basin with water, after which you unplug it. Then follow the scent near the vent and identify the smell similarity.

To remove the bad smells, you can descale the Saniflo often. Also, use high-quality descaling agents, avoiding the general bleach chemicals that damage the pump component.

My Saniflo Activates Only with my Toilet.

My Saniflo Activates Only with my Toilet.

Sometimes, you may find that the Saniflo doesn't activate with the sink or bath, but only with the toilet. This problem usually results from blockages in the inlet pipes connected to the Saniplus or the Sanipro, or it could be obstructions. With Saniplus, the macerator box has valves inside, which may get obstructed by things like hairs that need removal and cleaning.

Since the valves lift, put three or two fingers underneath and remove those valves. After removing them, use a dry and wet vacuum clear and through where the nan return valve sits, suck the pipe. If you hear air being sucked via the plughole, you'll know the lines are clear.

If your Saniflo has no valves, suck the pipe still to diagnose blockages. Also, Activation troubles may come from stiff Saniflo membranes or membrane distortions, faulty microswitches, and motor inactivation. To rectify the activation problems, the expert will change your Saniflo membranes, check your motor, and mend your system.

Can you Descale your Saniflo using bleach?

Can you Descale your Saniflo using bleach?

You can, but we highly discourage you from using it. Why? Because bleach usually damages rubber membranes that cover your Saniflo pressure switch, which makes it malfunction. You may occasionally use bleach but avoid using it constantly and ensure that you don't use large amounts when you use it. As you use these cleaners to descale your Saniflo, ensure you observe the instructions indicated there.

The Macerator Running Intermittently.

The Macerator Running Intermittently.

Does your macerator pump run intermittently? If yes, check the non-return valve and ensure it's not leaking, especially where the outlet pipe runs vertically up the wall. If the problem isn't the valve, the intermittency may result from a defective Saniflo membrane or microswitch.

Intermittent start-ups may also result from overflow water from the toilet, faulty valves, shower, and dripping taps entering your Saniflo system. You can quickly tell if your cistern is leaking by placing dry toilet paper under your toilet's back rim. If it wets quickly, then understand this is your intermittency start-up's primary cause.

Please note: recent toilet flush mechanisms contain internal overflow, making your filling valve (faulty ones) send water to the pump and activate it.

Improper Saniflo Activation.

Improper Saniflo Activation.

When the macerator gets full, the membranes require air to breathe. The membrane doubles up as a breather pipe at the side or the back of your Saniflo, where electrical cables go through. Where the pathway is obstructed or sealed, your Saniflo won't start properly.

Other causes of improper activation could result from water in the Saniflo membrane, faulty microswitches, and motor outages. With a motor outage, you can replace the microswitches and Saniflo membranes.

Short Activation burst's continuously.

Short Activation burst's continuously.

Repeated Saniflo short burst activations mean your Saniflo non-return valve is faulty and requires cleaning and sometimes replacing.

The recent Saniflo models give you an easier way to clean or replace a defective model by simply undoing the clip. However, if your model is older, it's a non-return valve inside the machine, and you'll have to remove the macerator to access the device.

Saniflo is Running but not Pumping Out

Saniflo is Running but not Pumping Out

When your Saniflo runs without pumping, mostly during winter, chances are the waste outlet is frozen. That usually occurs where the pipe is not insulated and the temperatures go below zero.

In other instances where your Saniflo is situated outside, the machine may freeze due to cold. Therefore, ensure that your system gets lagged with insulation and it's safeguarded against frost.

Where lagging the pipes isn't possible because of access or the fitted pipework, you may want to wait for the temperature to rise above freezing.

If the machine still doesn't pump out, the problem could be a regular blockage in the machine, requiring removal.

You have a New Large Drum Washing Machine that's Flooding out of the Saniflo.

You have a New Large Drum Washing Machine that's Flooding out of the Saniflo.

When you buy the most recent washing machine technology containing a large drum and start washing, the machine should empty the water. The Saniflo water pump assists with that.

However, the macerator pump may start leaking water when it has the wrong fitting size with pipework that leads out the drum, or it's restricted, making it overwhelmed, causing the water to leak out.

Therefore, ensure that when you have a twenty-two-millimeter pipe, get it changed out with a thirty-three millimeter one plus a quarter waste outlet pipe.

When the challenge continues, and you have the suitable pipe sizes, it means your Saniflo macerator box requires cleaning and installing a new membrane and switch since the Saniflo may not be starting fast enough to deal with a large amount of water.

The Three Vital Saniflo Parts.

The Three Vital Saniflo Parts.

With a Saniflo that's over five years old, and you're taking it apart, our research desk recommends you change the macerator microswitch, capacitor, and the Saniflo membrane. These three vital parts are fundamental in running the macerator pump.

The Saniflo microswitch controls the pumps on and off. A distorted, shrunk, or stiff membrane affects the starting and the stopping of your pump, causing a hoard of Saniflo problems.

Though the Saniflo capacitor degrades over time therefore after five years or so, it's worth changing. That's crucial; when the capacitors get out of the pump range, the pump won't instantaneously start because it's weak.

Saniflo Problems Questions and Answers.

Saniflo Problems Questions and Answers.

 

How do I Clear a Blocked Saniflo?

To clear a blocked Saniflo, use the thin-nosed pliers, then open the Saniflo by removing its lid. After that, clear every blockage inside the Saniflo through the outlet valve.

How Long Will My Saniflo Last?

Its lifespan mainly depends on the installation and proper usage. Typically, the machine lasts for ten to fifteen years when you engage in simple maintenance harks like descaling, replacing the membrane, etc.

Can I plunge a Saniflo toilet?

The answer to this question is mostly no. Saniflo systems can connect with most toilets since Saniflo systems allow you to install toilets in each room as long as there are waste disposal pipes. Hence you may not plunge the toilet into unblocking it because you can easily damage the macerator.

Can I use Drain Cleaner Down my Saniflo?

Yes, you can. But, please note the system gives room for installing toilets in each room as long as there's access to a waste disposal pipe. Bleach and other cleaners will do the trick but not as thoroughly as a Saniflo product. Therefore we highly recommend using the Saniflo product.

Final Word

Final Word

In conclusion, you can try fitting your Saniflo in the garden through RCD adaptors as you observe for safety. You may also fill your machine with water to watch whether it switches off after pumping as you ensure the waste outlet drains into a bucket. That saves you labor, especially where you haven't fitted Saniflo parts properly.

Saniflo Toilet Problems FAQs

How long does a Saniflo toilet last?

Information to be placed here soon!

Can I use bleach in a Saniflo toilet?

Information to be placed here soon!

How do you unblock a Saniflo toilet?

Information to be placed here soon!

Saniflo Toilet Problems

Appliance Installation

Appliance Repair

Appliance Servicing

Boiler Fault Finding

Boiler Installs

Boiler Repairs

Boiler Servicing

Central Heating Controls

Central Heating Installations

Services

Copyright © 2024 Plumb Guardian

Stay up to date