The technology used in waterless urinals has come a long way in the last decade. Waterless urinals allows you to conserve thousands of gallons of water each year in a traditional household. They also now come with odor barriers that prevent unpleasant smells from entering your bathroom.
Best Waterless Urinals
There are many waterless urinals available on the market. We want to help you make the best decision possible when choosing a new urinal for your home. Here are reviews of our top favorites in waterless urinals. At the end of this article, you will find tips on features to consider before making a final decision. Look at the products below and see if any appeal to your needs.
1. Sloan WES-4000 Waterless Urinal, White
This urinal features a touch-free operation by using no water. With this waterless system, there is no need to flush! The urinal comes with a patented, sealed locking cartridge which offers up to 7000 uses before replacement is needed.
Waste passes through drain holes and into a layer of biodegradable sealant. It then continues through a trap system and into a discharge tube that connects to the sewer system.
This porcelain urinal is easy to install and does not require any water supply lines. The patented cartridge unit eliminates odors keeping your bathroom smelling fresh every day.
Pros:
- Touch-free operation
- Cartridge lasts up to 7000 uses
- Waste passes through drains and into the cartridge
- No odor
Cons:
- Replacement cartridges are pricey
2. Waterless 2104 Baja Urinal
This waterless urinal is ADA compliant and comes with two EcoTrap inserts and cartridges. The urinal uses gravity to drain the urine down into the cartridge and an internal layer of BlueSeal liquid sealant. This liquid helps to seal in the odor so that the urine smell does not escape.
The EcoTrap cartridges must be replaced 2-4 times per year, and the BlueSeal liquid should be replaced every 1500 uses. This porcelain urinal is easy to install and connects directly with standard 2-inch drain lines.
Pros:
- ADA compliant
- Includes 2 cartridges
- Replacement cartridges are less than $10 each
Cons:
- Cartridges and liquid must be replaced more frequently than advertised to eliminate odor
3. American Standard 6154.100.020 Flowise Flush-Free Waterless Urinal
This American Standard urinal features an odor barrier liquid to prevent urine fumes from lingering in the bathroom. Its sleek design reduces splashing and will drastically lower your maintenance costs.
The odor barrier liquid should last for about 15,000 uses after which time it must be replaced. This urinal will provide you with money-savings and is an eco-friendly option for your home.
Pros:
- Features an odor barrier liquid
- Sleek porcelain design
- Engineered to reduce splashing
Cons:
- Urinal basin requires cleaning every couple of days to reduce odor from the bowl
4. Zurn Z5795 Large Waterless Urinal
If you want to maximize water savings, then consider this waterless urinal from Zurn. This urinal offers a completely hands-free and hygienic water saving solution for your home.
This urinal uses liquid sealant instead of cartridges to help control odor. Once you have installed the urinal, simply fill the trap with Zurn’s AquaGreen sealant and you are ready to go!
The urinal has a 14-inch extended rim to help prevent splashing. Zurn offers a 3-year warranty on this urinal, so you can have peace of mind that you are purchasing a quality product.
Pros:
- Non-cartridge urinal
- Uses liquid sealant to trap odors
- 14-inch extended rim to prevent splashing
- 3-year warranty
Cons:
- Sealant has to be changed frequently to eliminate odors completely
5. Kohler K-4918-7 Steward Waterless Urinal, Black
This is a cartridge-free waterless urinal which uses Kohler waterless urinal sealing liquid and cleaner to omit odors. It features a virtually splash-free surface and includes a removable strainer.
The cartridge-free integral trapway provides enhanced performance and reduces maintenance costs and issues. Kohler offers a one-year limited warranty on this product.
Pros:
- Cartridge-free integral trapway
- Lower maintenance costs
- One-year limited warranty
- Virtually splash-free design
Cons:
- Strainer requires patience to remove
Features To Consider
Before you decide to buy a waterless urinal, there are a few things you should consider. Although the primary purpose of a waterless urinal is to conserve water, you still need to be careful in choosing the product. Your savings in water may go down the drain in the form of maintenance expenses. The cost and frequency of installing replacement cartridges and sealant may be more than you bargained for.
Waste Disposal
Most waterless urinals rely on gravity and a specially designed trap chamber filled with sealant to dispose of waste cleanly down the drain. They all will have some type of circular dome known as the trap which is located in the center of the urinal. The dome features tiny channels or outlets around the edge for water to move through.
As the waste travels into the trap or cartridge, it filters through a sealant, which is a liquid designed to be lighter than water. This means the waste drops to the bottom of the chamber and the sealant remains on top acting as an odor barrier.
Odor Barriers
The term “waterless urinals” still gives me an impression of smelly bathrooms. Controlling the unpleasant urine smell is one of the biggest challenges you will face with a waterless urinal.
This is why the sealant that is used in a waterless urinal serves such an important purpose. Without an adequate sealant to prevent foul odors from escaping through the waste pipes, you will quickly regret buying a waterless urinal. The smell will become overwhelming very quickly.
Before you purchase a waterless urinal, be sure to know what type of sealant the product requires and read reviews regarding the sealant to see if it truly does obliterate the urine smell.
Conclusion
Technology for waterless urinals has advanced significantly over the last decade. Odor barriers are more sophisticated and maintenance processes are much simpler than they used to be. Before you settle on a specific model for your home, be sure you understand the ongoing maintenance costs associated with replacement cartridges and sealant. Then install your waterless urinal and you will be on your way to an eco-friendly bathroom in your home!
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