Homeowner discovers more reliable plumbing drainage system for bedroom renovation amid ongoing issues with original unit

Problem

ST. JOHN, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Joseph Horstmann has rented out his vacation home in the Virgin Islands for several years, making it available to visitors seeking comfortable and convenient accommodations in the scenic locale.

Two years ago, Horstmann decided to add a fifth bedroom on the lower level of the home, which offers lovely water views of the nearby Caribbean. The extensive renovation further enhanced the formerly empty space with a new bathroom, equipped with an up-flush plumbing system to handle drainage from a shower, vanity, and toilet.

The system he chose was an IntelliFlo 500-watt macerating toilet, purchased through Amazon.com. After the installation, the system seemed to work fine, flushing on demand and draining the shower and vanity sink.

However, most guests did not opt for the fifth bedroom during their stays, so the new drainage did not get much usage, nor generate any complaints – until the summer of 2024. That’s when a guest complained that the shower and toilet were not draining properly.

So, Horstmann decided to disassemble the macerator to identify and solve the problem himself. He quickly found that the IntelliFlo worked only if the motor was spun manually. The button on the top of the unit would not trigger flushing, nor would the unit start when water started draining into the unit.

Horstmann next sought – unsuccessfully – to contact the unit’s manufacturer, but could not find a contact number. No surprise there: IntelliFlo is based in China, an obvious problem for any homeowner on the other side of the world experiencing issues.

Horstmann then decided to research and contact other macerator makers that could potentially provide replacement parts for his unit. He eventually found SFA Saniflo (Edison, NJ), which offered to send him one of their own models as a full replacement.

Product Profile: Sanibest Pro

The Sanibest Pro is a one-horsepower grinder pump system used to install a complete bathroom up to 25 feet below the sewer line or up to 150 feet away from the soil stack. The product has three inlets to handle drainage for a full bathroom: a 4-inch inlet for the toilet connection and a 2-inch inlet on either side to handle gray-water drainage from a sink, a bathtub, or a shower. The inlets are equipped with built-in check valves to prevent backflow.

The grinder pump is shipped with a two-piece toilet that flushes through a horizontal, rear-discharge (above-floor) spigot. The pump reduces and discharges the effluent from the toilet and the other two fixtures to the sewer or a septic tank through a ¾-inch, rigid plastic pipe at the top of the unit. 

Also at the top of the unit is a 1½-inch vent port and a service panel that permits easy access to all components inside the Sanibest Pro.

Other key features: 

Powerful grinder system engineered to dispose of larger sanitary products, making it ideal for heavy-use, public applications

Four-year limited warranty

Positioning of the 2-inch inlets low on the unit to facilitate plumbing connections

Certified by CSA and listed by IAPMO for nationwide compliance

Solution

Horstmann engaged in a detailed discussion with SFA Saniflo’s product experts and ultimately, based on their advice, opted for the Saniflo Sanibest Pro grinder pump system. More powerful than a conventional macerating toilet system, the one-horsepower unit is ideal for a rental unit like Horstmann’s because of its ability to flush more “challenging” sanitary items, such as condoms, sanitary napkins, Q-tips, dental floss, etc. 

Fortunately, piping connections on the Sanibest Pro were similar to the unit it replaced. This compatibility with the existing plumbing infrastructure made for a straightforward retrofit, saving installation time and labor. 

For aesthetic reasons, the container housing the Sanibest Pro pump and grinder blade was installed behind a wall — out of sight, but still accessible for servicing. Once the IntelliFlo unit was quickly swapped out, the shower, sink, and toilet connections were re-established securely. 

Horstmann’s new Sanibest Pro sits below his property’s on-site septic system, so it cannot rely on gravity to dispose of the effluent the system flushes. Instead, wastewater must be pumped up 10 feet vertically and another 10 feet horizontally, or 20 feet in total, to the septic field. This removal process happens each time the Sanibest Pro is activated with no effluent storage inside the home (and the consequent odors such storage systems often generate). 

Results 

Faced with challenges from his previous waste management system, including a lack of customer support, Horstmann made a crucial decision to switch to SFA Saniflo. His decision was heavily influenced by Saniflo’s strong reputation for reliability and the comprehensive support it offers customers. Saniflo distinguishes itself not only through its innovative products but also through its exceptional after-sales service, warranty provisions, and certifications.

An especially key factor behind Horstmann’s choice was Saniflo’s four-year limited warranty, which offers reassurance in the unlikely event of a malfunction. Horstmann was also reassured by the prospect of robust support from Saniflo’s customer service team, which he experienced first-hand when purchasing the Sanibest Pro.

“The team at Saniflo was very responsive and helpful,” exclaims Horstmann. “They got back to me quickly, and I’m very satisfied with the results of our conversations.” 

Several months after installation, Horstmann observed a notable difference in the operation and reliability of the new waste management system. His tenants have not reported any issues, underscoring the unit’s efficiency and reliability. Horstmann appreciates the “hands-off” approach he can now adopt, thanks to the Sanibest Pro’s seamless functionality.

Horstmann’s experience illustrates the critical importance of selecting a waste management system that is not only technologically advanced but is also backed by a reputable manufacturer offering substantial support and a solid warranty. His satisfaction with the Sanibest Pro unit and the service provided by SFA Saniflo showcases the value of such factors in ensuring dependable operation and peace of mind for property owners.