Waterless urinals are pretty affluent and simple to use. Since water is not present in the urinal, there are fewer bacteria present, and also it prevents any odor.
Using waterless urinals can be one of the easiest things you can do as long as you know how to maintain them following some adequate regulations. Lack of appropriate maintenance can wreck your waterless urinal.
So, if you’re wondering what steps you can adopt for waterless urinal maintenance, then you’re in the right place. Yes! Today I’ll be talking about some essential aspects which you can follow for your urinal maintenance. So, without any further ado, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What is a waterless urinal?
A waterless urinal diverts urine via a single-way valve into a trap. Nowadays, waterless urinals are in everyday use. Also, they’re in high demand.
The trap in a waterless urinal carries a chemical ingredient that is less dense than human urine. When the waste streams through the installed trap, the fluid transfers the urine. Also, this trap helps to prevent any kind of odor.
Over time it is necessary to replace the liquid of a waterless urinal with some type of oil or gel; otherwise, it will lead to poor urinal transfer performance. Since water is not present in the urinal, there are fewer bacteria present.
Waterless urinals need less maintenance as there is no flushing process or water supply pipes. This is the most comfortable way to use a urinal ever.
Waterless urinal maintenance
As I’ve mentioned earlier, you need to follow some regulations for your waterless urinal maintenance. Its maintenance may include stuff like cleaning too. So, I’ll provide some steps which you can follow for cleaning or maintaining your urinal.
There are differences among the urinals depending on their manufacturer. However, most of them follow the same processes when it comes to cleaning a conventional waterless urinal.
Cleaning waterless urinals
- Before starting at first, wear gloves and goggles.
- Check whether there’s any object stuck in the urinal or not. If there’s any, then remove it.
- Use a neutral or all-purpose cleaner on the surface of the urinal. You can also use a mop with water and cleanser.
- Wait for a particular period. If there’s a definite time given by the manufacturer, then follow it.
- Clean the surface with a soft sponge, cleaning cloth, or a mop.
- Lastly, make sure the surface is dried out correctly. Remember, do not pour excess water down the waterless urinal trap, and do no use abrasive cleaners or brushes.
Sealant and Trap Replacement
- Firstly, use the metal tool provided by the manufacturer to remove the trap.
- Insert the metal tool into the trap and gently pull it out using a back-and-forth motion.
- Seep any kind of excess liquid from the cylinder down the drain.
- When the trap will be removed, pour a bucket of hot water down the drain to flush any residue in the line.
- Insert a new trap, which is about 12 ounces of water, and fill it with 3 ounces of sealant.
- Remember that for some manufacturers, the trap can not be replaced, and the trap needs to be taken apart and cleaned.
How does a waterless urinal work?
The popularity of waterless urinals is increasing day by day as they’re effortless to use. You must be wondering about its working process, like how it works so effortlessly. So here I’ve mentioned some steps about how a waterless urinal works
- First, the urine flows into the drain insert of the trap.
- Inside the trap, the urine moves through a liquid layer, which acts as a barrier from creating different gases and odors from entering the restroom area.
- The urine below the liquid layer spills into the central tube and goes down the drain line.
- When the liquid is gone, it is usually replenished. It takes only 20 seconds to complete this process.
- Lastly, urine sediments are retained within the trap.
What type of waterless urinal technologies are there?
You’ll be glad to know that when it comes to innovation, waterless urinals are not left behind. You can find four types of waterless urinal technology.
Oil-based barrier technique
In this type of system, you can find replaceable cartridges installed in the urinal. The oil-based seal acts as a barrier through which the urine cannot pass back. But the oil seal can get easily damaged if any water ends up going down the urinal. Moreover, the oil-based system’s maintenance cost is also very high, and using them can create an odor in the washrooms.
Chemical-based barrier technique
It follows the same system as the oil-based barrier technique. The only difference you’ll see is chemicals are usually used instead of oil in this procedure. However, they’re a bit robust as the chemical barrier isn’t damaged by water easily. But the cartridge should be replaced as soon as the chemical runs out. Otherwise, there will be an odor in the washroom.
Retrofit sleeve technology
This system uses an insert in your existing urinal. The insert includes a short membrane, which works to prevent odor from entering the washroom. It would be best if you always remember that you need to replace the waste pipework very often or else it will cause odor. Retrofit sleeve technology is relatively cheaper when it comes to installing a new urinal. Also, its maintenance cost is quite affordable.
URIMAT ActiveTrap Membrane
This system also includes a membrane in it. But the membrane is usually 90 mm longer than the typical ones, especially Retrofit. Also, the membrane has two pinched points for which there are no chances of creating any odor in the washroom. They are also very easy to well-maintain in any type of place.
Can we clean clogged waterless urinals?
Clogging is a common issue of a waterless urinal. Many times the waterless urinal gets totally damaged due to this. But you can efficiently deal with it if you follow. I’ll mention some methods that you can follow to clean your clogged waterless urinal.
Chemical Method
- First, remove the used urinal ball. Use a screwdriver and carefully uphold the gutter strainer and clean it.
- Use a manufacturer-approved acid cleanser on the urinal channel. Allow it to stay up to 5-10 minutes. You should not spill the acid on the other surfaces of the urinal except the drain.
- Pour 3.8 liters or 1 gallon of fresh water into the drain channel. Make sure that the urinal is not overflowing.
- When you notice that some flow is reinstated, add an organism-based stimulated trap cleanser to the urinal.
- Again pour 3.8 liters or 1 gallon of water and add ⅓ cup of sealing fluid straight into the drain’s opening.
- Lastly, re-establish the drain strainer and place a ball of waterless urinal on the drain strainer’s top.
Mechanical Method (Without removing urinal from the wall)
- Remove the used ball of waterless urinal using a screwdriver, same as the chemical method.
- Use sufficient water as possible on the urinal without letting overflow. A plunger can be used to remove any waste from the trap line.
- Pour minimum two gallons of water quickly into the gutter. If the urinal flops to sewer, then directly remove the waterless urinal from the wall.
- Once the urinal flow is suitable, add a sealing liquid, and follow the same steps as the chemical method.
Frequently Asked Questions
A standard urinal needs a trap to flush the urine into a pipe. The combined trap does not include a cartridge because it uses a liquid adhesive that separates the urinal bowl’s waste through a fixed chamber trap or a trap built which is built into the urinal body. There is also a different type of waterless urinal that doesn’t need a liquid seal to perform.
When it comes to using a urinal, waterless urinals are a great choice. Most of the waterless urinals are suitable and have a cost-effective solution. The best feature of waterless urinals is they save water as they’re quite simple to use. So, waterless urinals are the right choice compared to the typical ones with their different enactment and running system.
Frankly speaking, then the truth is that most of the waterless urinals smell. But you should also know that the reason is the same. Most of the waterless urinals, which are not maintained or cleaned correctly, smell. But if you tend your waterless urinal or clean them properly using the correct measures, then we’ll guarantee you that your waterless urinal won’t smell.
The answer is a waterless urinal cartridge can last anywhere between three to six months. You must replace the cartridge to ensure that your waterless urinals work correctly. Also, it is necessary to replace the cartridge of a waterless urinal to prevent odor too. How often you should change the cartridge of your waterless urinal doesn’t actually depend on any time, or it’s usage. Generally, it would be best if you try to replace it between every three to six months.
Conclusion
With the simple steps we’ve provided, you can easily maintain your waterless urinals. Waterless urinals are the best if you know how to keep them. However, if you’re new to using them, then we’ll suggest you follow the procedures strictly given by the manufacturer.