Waterless urinals work by using a cartridge in the waste outlet. This means you no longer need water to flush them. In average-to-busy washrooms, each waterless urinal can save around 100,000 litres of water per year. Spread that across an entire site, and it’s clear to see there are some big economic and financial savings to be had.
What is a waterless urinal?
As we previously mentioned, a waterless urinal requires no mains water to flush. Instead, these units have a special cartridge in the waste outlet that sanitises wastewater and prevents odours from returning to the drains. It’s also possible to convert an existing mains-fed urinal into one that no longer requires water to flush. However, waterless urinals still require regular cleaning, which must be done with the correct chemicals.
Types of waterless urinals
The type of waterless urinal is defined by the method used to seal the waste outlet. As we said, one of the main jobs of the waterless urinal cartridge is to prevent unpleasant odours from rising back into the room. Some cartridges use an oil-based seal, while others use a chemical mixture. Both options work well, but the seals can become damaged if cleaning fluids or soapy water are used on the urinal or if a bucket of water is poured down them.
There are then sleeve systems, which are one of the main options for retrofitting urinals to become waterless. It’s important to note that the waste pipework also needs to be replaced, as the build-up of uric acid in the pipes can cause very strong smells when the cartridges need replacing.
One of the strongest names in waterless urinal systems is URIMAT. These urinals feature an incredibly strong membrane that prevents odours and directs urine into the waste pipes in a unique way. URIMAT waterless urinals are a powerful, robust solution perfectly suited to busy, high-traffic commercial environments. We also carry highly durable commercial-grade options from Armitage Shanks.
Benefits of waterless urinals
Switching to waterless urinals can deliver a wide range of practical benefits. The big one is reducing your water consumption, since urinals don't need water to flush. This also reduces your sewerage charges, meaning waterless urinals save money. Needing no mains water feed, they are also a great option where diverting the water feed is tricky. Waterless urinals are a great choice in open-air washrooms or in outbuildings with poor insulation. Because there is no mains water feed, there is no concern over water pipes bursting if the temperature drops below zero. For this reason, many campsites and holiday parks choose waterless urinals.
Waterless urinals installation
The waste is fitted into the waterless urinal first, then the unit is mounted and fixed to the wall. Waste pipes are then connected from the urinal's waste outlet to the main drain. If you are retrofitting an existing urinal to a waterless one, then you will need to decommission the mains water feed before fitting the new waste outlet, which will require a waterless urinal cartridge to sanitise waste and prevent foul smells rising. To do this, you may need to remove the existing urinal from the wall.
If you would like further advice on how waterless urinals could benefit your washrooms, or to take advantage of our supply and fit service, please get in touch today on 01202 650900.
