Why Is My Macerator Blocked and How Do You Fix It?

A blocked macerator is one of those problems that tends to make itself known in the most unpleasant way possible. Whether it is a toilet that will not flush, a grinding noise that does not sound right, or water backing up where it should not be, a macerator blockage is something that needs dealing with promptly before it develops into a more serious and expensive problem.

At Kyle R C Perry Heating and Plumbing, we deal with blocked and faulty macerators across Essex regularly. Most blockages follow a predictable pattern, and in many cases the cause is something that could have been avoided with a little knowledge about what macerators can and cannot handle.

This guide explains exactly why macerators block, what you can do about it, and when you need to call a professional plumber.

What Is a Macerator and How Does It Work?

Before getting into blockages, it helps to understand what a macerator actually does. A macerator, sometimes called a Saniflo or sanitary macerator, is an electric unit fitted behind or beneath a toilet, basin or shower that uses a rotating blade to break down waste and toilet paper into a fine slurry. This slurry is then pumped along a narrow bore pipe to the main soil stack or drainage system.

This technology allows bathrooms and toilets to be installed in locations where conventional gravity drainage would be impossible or prohibitively expensive, such as basement rooms, loft conversions, extensions and garages.

The downside of this clever system is that the rotating blade and narrow discharge pipe are significantly less forgiving than a conventional toilet drain. What goes into a macerator matters enormously.

What Causes a Macerator to Become Blocked?

Most macerator blockages are caused by something entering the system that simply should not be there.

Unlike a conventional toilet, a macerator is not designed to deal with a wide range of materials. It is designed primarily to process human waste, water and toilet paper.

Anything else can potentially cause a blockage.

Can You Unblock a Macerator Yourself?

Some minor macerator issues can be dealt with by a confident homeowner, but it depends entirely on the cause of the problem.

If you know that too much toilet paper has been used, or the macerator is struggling due to a minor build-up, the issue may be relatively straightforward.

However, macerators combine waste, water, moving parts and electricity. Opening one up without knowing what you are doing can be unpleasant at best and potentially dangerous at worst.

Watch Our Video: How We Deal With a Blocked Macerator

Want to see what happens when a macerator develops a fault?

Watch our video below to see our team dealing with a macerator problem and carrying out the work needed to get the system back up and running.

When Should You Call a Plumber for a Blocked Macerator?

It is time to call a professional if:

• The macerator has completely stopped working
• Water is backing up or overflowing
• You can hear a loud grinding or unusual mechanical noise
• You suspect something has been flushed into the toilet
• The macerator keeps running continuously
• You have tried basic checks and the problem continues
• There appears to be a problem with the electrical supply
• You believe the blockage is in the discharge pipe

A professional plumber can identify whether the issue is a blockage, mechanical fault or problem with the pipework.

That is important because replacing a macerator when the actual problem is further along the discharge pipe could leave you with the same issue and an unnecessary bill.

Blocked Macerator FAQs: Your Questions Answered