What is an upflush toilet and how does it work?

An upflush toilet is a type of macerating toilet that allows you to install a bathroom in places where a traditional toilet won’t work. Instead of depending on gravity and a below-floor drain, it grinds waste into a liquid slurry and pumps it to your home’s main drain line. This makes it a practical solution for basement bathroom installations, additions, or any space far from existing plumbing.

TL;DR

• An upflush toilet grinds waste and pumps it to the main drain line instead of relying on gravity.
• It’s ideal for basements, attics, additions, or rooms far from existing plumbing.
• The system is portable and can often be relocated with minimal disassembly.
• It enables toilet installation where traditional plumbing isn’t feasible.

How an upflush toilet works

1. Maceration process: When you flush an upflush toilet, waste and water move into a macerating unit located behind the toilet or inside the wall. A blade inside the unit grinds the waste into a fine slurry.
2. Pumping: After maceration, a pump activates and pushes the liquefied waste upward or horizontally into the home’s main drain line, allowing installation in locations below or far away from standard plumbing.
3. Reset and refill: Once pumping is complete, the toilet refills with water and functions like a conventional toilet for the next use.

Where upflush toilets are useful

Because an upflush toilet doesn’t rely on a floor drain, it can be installed almost anywhere. Homeowners use them for:

• Basement bathrooms: A simple way to add a bathroom without breaking concrete.
• Attics or additions: Useful when running new plumbing lines is difficult or expensive.
• Accessibility needs: In some cases, a toilet can even be installed beside a bed for someone with limited mobility.
• Temporary setups: Many macerating units can be relocated by removing a few screws, making them a flexible choice for renovations.

If you’re planning a toilet installation in a challenging location, an upflush system may be a practical way to add bathroom convenience without major plumbing work.