Rural homeowner upgrades to SFA Saniflo product after repeated failures with an off-brand macerating toilet system

Case Study | June 2026

Retired Navy mechanic turned rural Minnesota homeowner turns to Saniaccess 2 after years of reliability issues with a competing off-brand macerating toilet system, seeking a long-term solution for a basement, half-bathroom installation.

Problem

AURORA, MINNESOTA — For homeowners looking to add bathrooms in basements or below-grade spaces, traditional plumbing installations often require extensive excavation, concrete breaking, or costly alterations to existing drainage systems. Above-floor, macerating toilet technology offers an alternative, allowing homeowners to install bathrooms where conventional gravity drainage is impractical.

For Randy Parkhurst, a homeowner living on a 10-acre property in rural northern Minnesota, a basement bathroom project began as a straightforward home improvement. After installing an egress window in the basement, he and his family decided to add a second bathroom to supplement the home’s single upstairs bathroom.

The project included a toilet and sink connected to an off-brand, imported macerating toilet system purchased online. Initially, the solution appeared to meet the family’s needs. However, reliability issues soon emerged.

“I’ve had nothing but issues with it,” Parkhurst says. “I was on my second one because it broke down so often, and I had to swap them out.”

According to Parkhurst, the pump did not macerate or clear waste effectively and frequently froze up during operation. The unit was also extremely loud. Although he has repeatedly removed and inspected the system himself, he has been unable to identify a permanent solution. When he sought support, he received no meaningful assistance, even after the manufacturer changed ownership.

Complicating matters further, the original plumbing for the system was installed before the bathroom wall was finished, meaning the existing piping was built around the unit’s configuration. Replacing it would require opening part of the finished wall and modifying the piping connections to accommodate a new system.

While Parkhurst is comfortable handling mechanical projects himself, having spent 21 years in the Navy as a diesel mechanic before transitioning into information technology, he wanted confidence that any replacement would provide long-term reliability and justify the additional installation effort.

Solution

After experiencing ongoing failures with the original system, Parkhurst contacted SFA Saniflo to learn more about the company’s macerating toilet solutions.

During conversations with Saniflo’s support team, he learned more about the differences between Saniflo’s technology and imported products that mimic it.

“The Saniflo brand is ten times better, if not more, than any other brand out there,” Parkhurst says.

Following a review of his existing installation, Parkhurst began evaluating the SFA Saniflo Saniaccess 2, a macerating toilet system designed to handle wastewater from two fixtures, usually a toilet and a nearby sink. Because his basement bathroom has only those two fixtures, the system aligned well with the application’s requirements.

Unlike the older system, which places multiple pipe connections across the top of the unit, the Saniflo design would require a revised piping layout. Although the upgrade would involve opening drywall and modifying portions of the installation, Parkhurst viewed the work as manageable compared with continuing to use unreliable equipment.

Parkhurst was also attracted to the Saniflo design’s serviceability.

“The Saniflo product has the two access panels, and it’s easy to get to,” Parkhurst says. “My former unit requires you to physically take the entire unit apart. It’s a nightmare.”

Since the bathroom is located in the basement and connected to a septic system, the installation requires only a short discharge run of less than five feet before connecting to the home’s main drainage line.

Since only a section of the finished wall would be opened rather than removing the entire wall, the installation required reconfiguring portions of the existing piping to make the proper connections for the new pump. As an experienced do-it-yourselfer accustomed to performing automotive, electrical, and mechanical work, Parkhurst completed the installation himself and reports it went smoothly.

Results

Following the installation, Parkhurst says the new Saniflo system has performed exactly as expected. “The Saniflo pump is working beautifully and is quiet,” he says.

Compared to the previous unit, the improved noise level was immediately noticeable. At the same time, the pump’s performance has provided the reliability Parkhurst was looking for in a long-term basement bathroom solution.

Equally important has been the factory support he has received throughout the process. When asked about his experience working with Saniflo, Parkhurst’s response was immediate and enthusiastic:

“Awesome. We found that Saniflo’s customer service is exceptional and very responsive.”

For homeowners evaluating macerating toilet systems, Parkhurst’s experience highlights a common challenge: while lower-cost imports may appear similar on the surface, long-term reliability, ease of maintenance, and responsive manufacturer support ultimately determine a system’s overall value. Before purchasing a system, it’s worth reviewing key considerations such as certifications, warranty coverage, serviceability, and manufacturer support to help ensure a reliable, long-lasting installation.

Parkhurst expects the upgrade to provide a dependable, long-term solution for his basement bathroom, allowing him to finally and successfully replace a system that has caused years of frustration.

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ABOUT SANIFLO
SFA SANIFLO NORTH AMERICA – whose France-based parent company, SFA Group, originated macerating plumbing technology — offers a complete line of waste and drainage pumping systems for residential, commercial and industrial applications. SFA Saniflo developed its innovative, “above-floor plumbing” technology 65 years ago and has led its commercialization worldwide. Today, the company markets macerating technology through 27 subsidiaries doing business in more than 70 countries and has sold more than eight million units worldwide since 1958. SFA Saniflo markets through independent sales agents throughout North America, and the product line is currently available at distributor and dealer locations throughout the continent.

For more information, contact SFA Saniflo USA at 1-800-571-8191, or visit the website at SFASaniflo.com. To contact SFA Saniflo Canada, dial 1-800-363-5874, or visit SFASaniflo.ca.

For editorial assistance, contact Helen Tran ([email protected]) c/o GreenHouse Digital + PR: 708-428-6385.

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