Re: Waterless Urinal Maintenance

Nick,

I am sorry to hear that you had such a problem with your urinals. There are brands out there that have those problems. If you would, please check us out: www.waterless.com. We have been an industry leader for 20 years, the original waterless urinal on the market. Just to mention, our traps are only $6.95 each.

Best wishes for the Holidays.

~Niki Bradley

Marketing Manager at Waterless Co. Inc.

www.waterless.com

After reading through this discussion I have summarized what I have learned but still have questions.  

Summary:

Waterless urinals should be sprayed down with approved cleaner and hand wiped 2 to 4 times a day

Cartridges should be replaced every 2 to 4 months - depends on usage

Urine based salts can build up in plumbing so a fresh water flush is required on average every 3 months

Cartridge replacement should be coupled with thefresh water flush and costs from $10 to $60 dollars each

Two types of complaints were often posted - odor and. clogging

Both complaints also occur with conventional urinals and both require similar action

Question:

Although water is saved in the waterless product no one has said if there is a financial advantage or return on investment that encourages this technology change.

One of the most important things to know and do is change the trap insert found at the bottom of most waterless urinals.  Here are some tips on how to do that:

At the bottom of most no-water/no-flush urinal systems is a trap insert, also referred to as a cylinder or cartridge.

The trap/cylinder plays an important role in the operation of a no-flush urinal system. Among other things, it helps prevent sewer odors from being released into the air and marring indoor air quality.

However, the trap does need to be replaced as it accumulates urine sediments so they do not go down the drain.

The method to replace the trap insert will vary depending on the manufacturer of the urinal system. The frequency will vary as well. With some brands of waterless urinals, the trap may last several months and need to be changed only two to four times per year. With other models, more frequent changing may be required.

How often the trap/cylinder must be changed (and how much a replacement costs) is one of the most important issues that facility managers should discuss with their distributors before selecting a no-water urinal system.

The following are the basic steps involved in replacing the trap insert on a waterless urinal system:

• Have the removal tool, gloves, bag and a new trap handy

• Use the metal tool provided by the manufacturer to remove the trap.

• Insert the tool into the trap, gently pulling it out using a back-and-forth motion.

• While still using the tool, drain any excess liquids from the trap, and then discard the trap in a locally appropriate manner.

• With the trap removed, pour a bucket of hot water down the drain to flush any sediment in the line.

• Insert a new trap, add about 12 ounces of water, and fill with 3 ounces of sealant.

• For some manufacturers, the trap cannot be replaced and must instead be taken apart and cleaned.

Klaus Reichardt

www.waterless.com

I installed 15 waterless urinals throughout our facilities. And I have found as long as they are getting cleaned every day and oil changed twice a month, they work out well. I installed kohler for the cost of the sealing oil is less expensive than cartridges of other manufacturers.

I was asked once about going with waterless urinals. My research indicated this would be a very bad idea in an older facility with metal drain lines, as the accumulation of acidic urine would corrode the pipes. Also there is the added expense of buying the chemicals to treat the urinals to keep the odor down. Then you have to change the cartridges ever so often as well. The water is cheaper than the cartridges and the chemicals, trust me.

I will never recommend waterless urinals in a facility I manage, sorry.

We use waterless urinals in our headquarters building and also one other site.  I have found them to be more of a nuisance, hassle and more expensive to maintain.  A good idea, I'm sure, but definitely needs refining.

I have been running a facility that has 11 waterless urinals. We have the following challenges:

1. We charted the plumber’s time and the cost of the replacement of the cartridge. Our maintenance cost is about 6 to 7 thousand a year.

2. There is no way to indicate when the cartridge is going to fail. This causes pooling in the bowl. This results in the clients complaining that they are not working and a poor image to the maintenance department.

3. There is a smell from the undiluted urine. We use an enzyme to counteract this.

4. We had problems in the beginning with clients not thinking that they were sanitary and complaining to our OH&S department.

With the creation of the cartridges and chemicals that go into them and then the used cartridges into the landfills I’m not sure what the benefit is to the environment.  

I’m looking forward to hearing from other long term users.