A waterless urinal is a type of urinal that does not require water to flush. Instead, it uses a special trap that separates urine from the air. This trap is filled with a liquid sealant that prevents any odors from escaping into the room. The urine is then drained into a pipe and sent to a holding tank where it is later disposed of.
Waterless urinals have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their many benefits. They are more environmentally friendly, as they save thousands of gallons of water each year. They are also more cost-effective, as they require less maintenance and do not require water or sewer connections.
How Do Waterless Urinals Work?
Waterless urinals use a special trap called a cartridge or a sealant trap. The cartridge trap is made of a porous ceramic material that allows urine to pass through while trapping any solids. The sealant trap uses a liquid sealant that forms a barrier between the urine and the air, preventing any odors from escaping.
When a user urinates in a waterless urinal, the urine flows through the trap and into a pipe. The pipe sends the urine to a holding tank where it is later disposed of. The liquid sealant or cartridge trap is designed to last for several months before it needs to be replaced.
Benefits of Waterless Urinals
Waterless urinals offer many benefits over traditional flushing urinals. Some of the benefits include:
- Water conservation: Waterless urinals save thousands of gallons of water each year.
- Cost savings: Waterless urinals require less maintenance and do not require water or sewer connections, resulting in significant cost savings.
- Environmental friendliness: By conserving water, waterless urinals help reduce the strain on the environment.
- Odor control: The liquid sealant or cartridge trap in waterless urinals prevents any odors from escaping into the room.
- Easy installation: Waterless urinals are easy to install and can be retrofitted into existing bathrooms.
Types of Waterless Urinals
There are several types of waterless urinals available on the market today. Some of the most popular types include:
- Cartridge-based urinals: These urinals use a cartridge trap to separate urine from the air.
- Sealant-based urinals: These urinals use a liquid sealant to form a barrier between the urine and the air.
- Membrane-based urinals: These urinals use a membrane that allows urine to pass through while trapping any solids.
- Vacuum-based urinals: These urinals use a vacuum to remove urine from the bowl.
Installation and Maintenance
Waterless urinals are easy to install and can be retrofitted into existing bathrooms. They do not require any water or sewer connections, so installation is quick and easy.
Maintenance for waterless urinals is minimal. The liquid sealant or cartridge trap needs to be replaced every few months, depending on the usage. The urinal bowl should be wiped down regularly with a mild cleaner to prevent any buildup of mineral deposits.
Conclusion
Waterless urinals are a great alternative to traditional flushing urinals. They offer many benefits, including water conservation, cost savings, environmental friendliness, and easy installation. With minimal maintenance required, they are a great choice for any commercial or public facility looking to reduce their water usage and save money on maintenance costs.