Macerator toilet needs fixing

Alesto

Well-Known Forumite
Does anybody know which company (hopefully local) that I could contact to take a look at our macerator toilet? I've always had a good response from the forum so I'm keeping my fingers crossed! We've been putting it off for ages but it really needs sorting. The water level keeps remaining really high and it keeps flushing it self even after it has dropped. Have only used it for numbers 1's now for many months (excuse me if I'm causing any undue gagging but I'm desperate to get it sorted) and there is an odour coming thru the water. Also it has to be flushed 2 or 3 times to get rid of the toilet paper. Could be something simple or may be not. We're just not experienced enough to touch it. Please please help?
Thanks
 

cj1

Well-Known Forumite
when was the last time you descaled and cleaned the Macerator may be worthwhile trying that first
 

Alesto

Well-Known Forumite
Didn't know you had to do that, that's how little we know about them. I still think we'll need somebody in the know, so if anybody knows anything about them?
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
Does it actually still pump, or is it just syphoning out? I've had this with one a few years ago - the pump had failed, but the liquid still exited, slowly, via the waste pipe. A replacement unit turned out to be the economical repair, although it took a while to discover one that would fit in the same space. There was a great variety in prices at the time, almost two-to-one, as I recall...
 

Alesto

Well-Known Forumite
When you flush it seems to fill nearly up to the brim with water and then start to drain away while churning (with effort) and then still leaves majority of tissue behind. (Sorry if too much detail there). I'm not sure if a plumber is what I need or ???. I put the job on one of those sites that finds company for you if you detail your job etc but have had no replies (not really surprised there to be honest).
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
When you flush it seems to fill nearly up to the brim with water and then start to drain away while churning (with effort) and then still leaves majority of tissue behind. (Sorry if too much detail there). I'm not sure if a plumber is what I need or ???. I put the job on one of those sites that finds company for you if you detail your job etc but have had no replies (not really surprised there to be honest).
Is it really churning - or is it just humming (without actually turning) and the water slowly draining away under gravity?
 

Alesto

Well-Known Forumite
Had it checked over and it all seems to be working ok apparently. Had the pipework changed as we'd never descaled it but to be honest it's still not working right. It's nearly 8 yrs old and wander if it's at the end of it's life.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
Perhaps luckily, I can't find a picture of what I'm going to ask you, but is the impeller clogged with paper? If it is, then it doesn't pump or chop very efficiently and just poking it clear with a stick can help. Once it's running right again then it will tend to keep itself clear, but, if it can't clear the clogging, then it just stays clogged up and fails to chop things up, as it all just gets whirled round rather than chopped up..
 

Alesto

Well-Known Forumite
The plumber who looked at it said it was all clear inside etc . We put descaler through it and left it overnight but it still didn't improve. It now double flushes and the paper still doesn't disappear. We're at a loss what else to do but my partner is now going to brave it out and take it apart before finally have to replace it.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
There will be a float switch of some description and lifting that will start the motor, when the supply is connected - this will make a serious mess of you, if there are any body parts in the impeller zone at the time! The impeller should whizz round at a fair speed - beware of it spraying 'stuff' all over the place, but it would be nice to observe that it is really operating at a reasonable speed.


Extreme care is recommended.
 

Alesto

Well-Known Forumite
Plumber did mention that and as far as we are aware he tested that as well. There is a small section of pipework that the plumber was unable to repl because it ran thru the ceiling. So we were wandering if this was not allowing the water to escape as fast as it needs to and therefore unable to function correctly. We are thinking of replacing this next and then see if it functions better.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
Can you connect a hose to the outlet pipe from the mascerator? If so, then you could see if the pipework can allow a decent flow-rate - or maybe blow it clear, if it is sludged-up.
 
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