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Triple master contractor Ed Del Grande
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By Ed Del Grande
Q: Ed, I'm a contractor, and having your column available is like having my own private plumber available to me every week for free! Lately I have been getting a lot of questions about composting toilets. What is the story with these toilets, and what are the advantages and disadvantages over regular low-flow toilets? Jim (Texas)
A: Thanks for the great question, Jim. Composting toilets are nothing new; early versions have been around for more than 100 years! However, back then we did not call them composting toilets. We called them outhouses.
Are you starting to get the idea of how composting toilets work? The good news is that composting toilets are the ultimate water-saving toilets; the bad news is that they are not for everyone or every area.
Also, a composting toilet is considered a system, not a fixture. Along with the toilet, you need to have a storage area for the waste to break down. This is usually done in an underground tank located near the house. The tank will also have to be maintained on a regular basis while composting takes place. Because of this, composting toilets are usually found in remote areas that are not on public sewer systems.
For most homeowners, HETs (high efficiency toilets) using 1.3 gallons of water per flush or less are the best water-saving option, since they can be installed on any standard plumbing system.
Good question, Jim, and now you all have a pile of information on what a composting toilet is and how it works!
Ed Del Grande was born and raised in a family-owned plumbing business. With more than 25 years of experience in every aspect of construction, he holds current Master licenses in pipefitting, fire protection and plumbing. If you have a question for Ed, send him an e-mail at eddelgrande@hgtvpro.com.
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