Upflush toilets enable you to install a complete washroom anywhere in your home. They are convenient, helping you easily convert an unused basement corner or awkward space above the garage into a functional bathroom. Learn more in this guide to upflush toilet systems.
What Are Upflush Toilets?
An upflush toilet is a type of toilet that doesn’t rely on gravity to remove waste. Unlike traditional options, which send waste downward into a main drain line, upflush toilets use an electric macerator and pump system.
How Do Upflush Toilets Work?
Upflush toilets work by using a macerator or grinder pump to process and remove waste. While standard toilets rely on gravity and water to flush waste through the pipes and into the sewage system, upflush sewage systems use mechanical force. When flushed, waste and water enter a sealed tank containing the macerator pump. The macerator’s blades grind the contents into particles in a few seconds.
Once ground, the basement toilet pump sends the waste through a small-diameter pipe into the main sewer line. This pumping mechanism eliminates the need for extensive under-floor drainage, making installation less disruptive.
Traditional basement bathrooms often require breaking concrete for new pipes, which can be messy and expensive. Upflush pumps can be discreetly installed behind a wall via an extension pipe or as a compact unit directly behind the toilet.
What Are the Advantages of Upflush Toilets?
The advantages of upflush toilets include:
- Installation flexibility: The system can be installed almost anywhere in the home, including basements, garages and attics, to create new living spaces. This is because the pump sends waste upward, bypassing the need to drill through floors or be located directly above the main sewer line.
- Affordable installation: Upflush systems can provide more affordable installations compared to standard toilets. These systems avoid the costly and disruptive process of tearing up floors to install new plumbing.
- Versatility: You can connect additional fixtures like a sink, bathtub or shower to the system to create a full bathroom in a new location.
- Space-saving design: The system uses a small-diameter pipe, which can be as small as ¾ or one inch, making it ideal for small or tight spaces.
What Are the Disadvantages of Upflush Toilets?
Potential disadvantages of upflush toilets are:
- Increased maintenance requirements: Upflush systems have more moving parts than gravity-fed toilets, including pumps and grinding blades. These components can wear out or become clogged over time, sometimes requiring more maintenance than simple gravity-fed toilets. Repairs can be more complex and expensive.
- Noise: The macerator pump and grinding process can be noticeably loud during operation. This sound level might be a concern depending on the toilet’s location within the home and proximity to living or sleeping areas.
- Electricity dependency: Upflush toilets require a power source to function. During a power outage, the toilet will be inoperable unless a backup power source like a generator is available.
Key Features to Compare in an Upflush Toilet
The following are key features to consider when choosing an upflush toilet system.
Types of Upflush Toilet
The types of upflush toilets vary based on whether they use a macerator or grinder pump:
- Macerator pump: This unit is ideal for most residential applications. It uses fast-spinning, stainless steel blades to quickly and efficiently liquefy human waste and toilet paper into a slurry. Macerator pumps are typically quieter and more energy-efficient for a typical home bathroom.
- Grinder pump: These pumps use a heavy-duty cutting wheel that can handle tougher materials. A grinder pump is a more durable option for areas where usage is less controlled and potentially damaging items might be flushed, offering better protection against clogs.
Pumping Power and Distance
The pumping power of your unit is defined by the distance and height it can push the waste:
- Vertical pumping distance: This metric specifies the maximum height, in feet, that the unit can pump waste vertically before connecting to the main drain line. This is vital for basement upflush toilet installations.
- Horizontal pumping distance: This refers to the maximum distance, in feet, that the unit can push the waste horizontally after any vertical lift.
Always choose a pump that slightly exceeds your requirements. This buffer prevents the pump from constantly running at maximum capacity, extending its life and ensuring reliable performance. This is especially helpful when supporting a shower or multiple fixtures.
Full vs. Half Bathroom Setups
Are you installing a half bathroom with a toilet and sink, or a full bathroom with a shower and tub? The scope of your bathroom project determines the upflush system you require. Look for the number of inlet ports on the macerating unit.
Half-bath units typically have one or two smaller inlets for a sink and possibly a shower. Full bath units will have multiple inlet ports and a greater flow capacity to accommodate the high volume of water from a shower or bathtub. This water drains into the pump unit before being pushed to the main line. Buy a system that is specifically rated to handle all the fixtures you plan to connect.
Toilet Bowl and Seat Design
Upflush systems offer the same bowl and seat choices as standard toilets:
- Round bowls: These compact, space-saving designs are ideal for smaller powder rooms or tight closet-style bathrooms.
- Elongated bowls: Most homeowners prefer this design for their main bathrooms as it is approximately two inches longer than round bowls, offering superior comfort.
- Comfort height: This feature raises the bowl height to a level comparable to a standard chair, making it much easier and more comfortable for adults to use.
Modern upflush systems often feature sleek, modern bowl designs that seamlessly integrate with the pump unit, resulting in a final installation that resembles a standard, high-quality residential toilet.
Water Usage and Efficiency
Many upflush toilets are designed to conserve water. Look for models with a dual-flush system to maximize efficiency. This system allows you to select a lower volume flush for liquid waste and a higher volume for solid waste, thereby saving water and reducing utility bills.
Choose the Best Upflush Toilet System for Your Needs
Explore upflush toilet options from Star Water Systems:
Powerflush Optima Upflush Toilets
ThePowerflush Optima is a versatile toilet solution that mounts on your floor. The unit can vertically transfer wastewater up to 20 feet high to your existing sewer line. You can connect it to your shower, bathtub or sink to dispose of used water.
Choose from an elongated or round bowl and a freestanding or extension kit installation to hide the pump behind your wall.
The Powerflush Optima uses a ⅓-horsepower macerator pump to cut any material that flows through it, including hair and wipes.
Powerflush Optima Pro
The Powerflush Optima Pro is a powerful system featuring a ½-horsepower grinder pump. The grinder pump has two blades to pulverize tough solids and send them to your septic tank or system. It boasts a vertical pumping capability of up to 20 feet. Like the Powerflush Optima, you can choose between an elongated or round bowl and install it practically anywhere. Unlike the Powerflush Optima, it can run dry and handle medium to large solids.
Get a Quality Upflush Toilet Today
Upflush toilets offer a flexible solution for installing a bathroom almost anywhere in your home without expensive and disruptive construction. Star Water Systems offers top-notch, easy-to-install upflush toilet systems to meet your needs.
Our upflush toilet systems are the simple solution to your complex plumbing problems. Contact us today to learn more about our products.
