Home :: Guidance for Conversion to Waterless
Printable version of this page

Guidance for Conversion to Waterless

The recommended procedures for converting urinals to waterless are listed below. 
 
For best results:
  • The waste pipework should be clear of scale and debris (i.e. “descaled”). We recommend that the waste pipes are jetted or cleared using electrical pipe cleaning equipment, as used by drain maintenance companies. Alternatively, it may make sense to replace old waste pipes with new ones. This can often be just as cost-effective.
  • Ensure that there is a reasonable fall from the urinals to the stack so the pipes can drain urine at a reasonable rate. Pipes running uphill will inevitably cause problems. The recommended minimum fall to the stack (main drain) from the urinals should be 1cm down for every 40cm length.
  • Each urinal should have its own trap under the bowl. It is not advisable to have one trap shared by all urinals in a run.
  • Install an access cap for rodding whenever pipes turn through a 90 degree angle. Such bends are potential problem that may require clearing in the future, whether urinals are waterless or not. It is best to use a “tee” fitting rather than an “elbow” at these points.
 
  1. Place bucket under urinal
  2. Remove existing waste outlet by undoing the holding nut that connects the outlet to the bowl.
  3. Remove old sealing compound from around the drain of the bowl and clean surfaces. Also clean the underside of the bowl.
  4. Apply suitable sealant (e.g. “plumbers mate”) to inner lip of new waste outlet provided by Gentworks, then push outlet into urinal bowl
  5. Under the urinal bowl, secure the waste outlet with rubber sealing washer and then the backnut, both of which are provided by Gentworks. Thread backnut to bottom of bowl until hand tight.
  6. Whilst holding the outlet stationary, tighten the backnut with suitable pliers one complete turn.
  7. Remove excess sealant around the waste outlet from the inside of the bowl. Use a Stanley knife for plumbers mate, or a cloth for silicon sealant.
  8. Fit trap (preferably new) to waste outlet and waste pipe.
  9. Carefully pour two litres of warm water into the bowl, then check underneath for leaks.
  10. If there is no need to rectify any leaks, insert waterless urinal cartridge. Note that there is a lug on the outlet that fits into a recess on the cartridge. The lug and the recess will have to be lined up for the cartridge to fit flush into the bowl.
  11. Clean the bowl surfaces with the cleaning solution provided, including underneath the bowl and around the trap.
  12. The waterless urinal is now ready to use.
 
 
  1. Trace along the water supply pipes from the urinal cisterns to the nearest “tee” joint and then isolate the water supply by closing the nearest service valve or “stop-tap” below the “tee” joint. This may temporarily stop the water supply to other facilities.
  2. With water supply isolated, sever the water supply pipe spur to the urinal cisterns as close as possible to the “tee” joint and install an additional isolation valve and end stopper.
  3. The service valve below the “tee” joint can then be reopened to restore water supply to other facilities