Foul smell when system is activated
I have the shower/toilet and sink combo. Every time the system is activated a foul smell comes from the system even if nothing has been flushed. While brushing teeth at the sink the oder can be smelled.
Home - Saniflo - SaniFlush Rear Spigot Toilet Bowl - Round - 003 - White
Answers & Comments
Depending on the pump model you have, you will find a small 1/2" hole on top of the lid about the size of a dime or nickel. The 1/2" hole is called a breather hole but in the US it must be capped or plugged to prevent odors from escaping through there. Also make sure you are venting the unit using an 1 1/2" vent pipe to the open air.
Look under the sink and see if you have a p-trap, If your not sure, it basicly is a u bend in the drain pipe that traps water to not allow the gas to come back out into the home. That is usually a simple fix. If you do have a p-trap there may be a vent problem that is in the wall. In that case I'd suggest calling a plumber to diagnos your problem. They will know the plumbing code in your area which keeps you and your family safe. You do not want these gasses in your home.
Curious if this was helpful?
The problem with the smell is that the macerator air switch manufactured by Lafoo has a diaphragm in it that tends to sag with time. The switch is mounted vertically instead of horizontally on the circuit board, which is the preferred method of operation. Huge mistake by Saniflo. This prevents the macerator from switching on properly and the unit tends to fill up to high causing the smell. The Lafoo air switch is 5.5mbar and actually has a built in adjustment dial that can be seen when one removes it from the circuit board. The solution (besides putting in a 3.5mbar Lafoo switch) is to unsolder the original switch, solder two 2" pigtails onto the switch and soldier the pigtails back onto the board. This will give you enough room to have the switch hang horizontally and allow gravity to help assist in triggering the diaphragm in the switch. Also, you will also now have the benefit of being able to adjust the sensitivity of the switch if need be depending on the atmospheric pressure where you live. The pressure side (air tube) should be on the top and not the bottom. After you make this modification, your Saniflow will work better than new and the smells will immediately dissapear. The switch will now trigger every time your flush the toilet or when the water level in the unit reaches the proper height. An enzyme type cleaner (used in RV's) will help descale any sludge in the unit but the main issue is with the air switch and how it is mounted. If you need pics of how the unit should look after it is modified, e-mail me at [email protected] My wife now has her own bathroom back!