Replies

1. 
   McPlumb | Dec 11, 2006 05:14am | #1

   Installed one for a customer. It required a vent, when you flush the water it goes into a tank with a grinder pump, the incoming water displaces air in the tank. When the pump kicks on the air must flow back into the tank. I ran a 1 inch vent for the tank this allowed the tank to breath as per installation instruction. Sometimes I get paid to read!

1. 
   hurnik | Dec 11, 2006 05:24am | #2

   So technically the Sanistar (made by Saniflo) does not require a vent . . .BUT here's where the confusion/clincher comes in:If you read their manual you'll notice that they stated that no vent is required in Europe, but it IS required in the US. (apparently toilets work differently in the US than in the rest of the world).More than likely it's due to some code.To make matters even more fun, depending on your locality, you may be forced to run a new vent line all the way to the roof (most basements where this type of toilet is installed probably don't have easy access to the existing vent line).IF you're lucky, you can live in a municipality that allows for the IPC rather than the UPC and you could then vent it through the wall rather than having to tear out lots of sheetrock and put a new vent stack in (again, assuming you can't tap into an existing vent line).Saniflo does NOT recommend using a "cheater vent" (I can't remember the actual term--they're usually used in a kitchen island).Saniflo has a nice web forum where this question comes up all the time.

1. 
   McPlumb | Dec 11, 2006 04:43pm | #5

   If I remember right the unit I described installing, also said something on the box about not needing a vent. The instruction said otherwise and the trouble shooting page said if the unit didn't flush properly to vent the tank. There was a little flapper mechcanisum that you remove and hook the vent line to. A cheater vent or AAV only allows air flow in one direction. That would be a problem in this setup. Guess maybe the europeans don't mind a little smell. No this is not a comment on French hygene!

2. 
   user-158769 | Dec 11, 2006 06:23am | #3

   If memory serves me right, I looked at installing a Sanistar 3 years ago for a client, but the cost for the unit was around $800. I bought a Gould macerating unit instead for around $300.  It too was a sump pump type unit with a grinder pump inside. It required a vent, which I was able to install. This was for a basement bathroom and the main sewer lines were approx 2 feet above the basement grade.

   It is in use everyday and so far, knock on wood, has performed just fine.

   Davo

3. 
   BillHartmann | Dec 11, 2006 07:11am | #4

   "They have a forced-main pressurized macerating unit that chews waste and can pump it ten feet vertical through one-inch PVC,"

   If it will only put a 10 ft head then it realy isn't a forced main system.

   A pump on a forced main system will probably develope 20 psi or so. In my case it lifts the discharge about 30-40 ft and then it reaches the forced main line and has to push it aobut 1.5 miles until it empties.

   But my unit is much bigger one.

   Really just arguing about the "forced main" and not the functionality.

   "and apparently requires no exterior venting (no venting at all!)."

   I don't see how. When the toilet discharges into the tank pressure in the tank will build until the pump pumps it down. Then it can draw a vacum.

   I have not installed one of those, but a smaller similar package pump for a landry tub, washing machine.

   "Easier/harder than conventional?"

   Conventional what?

   If the toilet level is below the sewer line then you need a pump.

   You can get packaged macerating pumps that you can set in the floor and then use with standard toilets, showers, and sinks.

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   Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.