Composting Toilet Installation: 5 Things You Should Know

Installing a professional composting toilet system may seem like a daunting task, but for most homeowners with basic tools and skills, it can easily be accomplished as a DIY project.  In this article, we'll cover five important things you should know, or at least take into consideration, before you begin installing a composting toilet in your home.

1. Always begin by reading the instructions.  This may seem pretty obvious, but it is amazing how many people will begin a project of this magnitude without having even opened the instruction manual.  Don't make this mistake; take the time to thoroughly read the instructions before you begin.
2. Check with your local officials about building codes.  The purpose of this step is to make sure your composting toilet will meet local building regulations.  If you live in a city or county that hasn't yet added composting toilets to its list of approved fixtures, don't worry.  It's usually fairly easy to get them approved.  Take copies of the product instruction manual and all testing information and product certifications to your local building department.  They'll usually require a few weeks to review the information, and then you should have your approval.
3. All composting toilets will require some type of venting system to operate without odor.  Installing the vent stack usually means that you'll have to run some lengths of PVC pipe up and out of the roofline of your house.  (Important note: If you have purchased a unit that does not have any type of vent, I would strongly encourage you to contact the manufacturer and inquire how the unit maintains odorless operation.  I have yet to encounter a vent-free composting toilet that doesn't smell.)
4. Depending on the type of system you have, you may need to provide some water hookup to the toilet.  If this is the case, and you are installing in a building that does not have access to running water, you may be able to use gravity fed water from a roof tank, or possibly even a bucket of water in the wintertime when the roof tank freezes.  This is another important topic you should explore with the manufacturer prior to installation.
5. Many composting toilet systems also require some type of drain hookup.  The reason for this is because the evaporating capacity of the toilet can vary.  For example, if you have purchased an electric unit, it probably relies of some type of heater and/or fan to evaporate excess liquid.  If the electricity goes out for any extended period of time, you would have a problem if your safety drain were not hooked up.  If you have access to a city sewer, this is usually the easiest and best option for the drain.  Alternatively, you could use an old septic tank, leach field, or holding tank.  Whatever you choose, just make sure that your drain hookup is in compliance with your local building codes and regulations.

Once you've taken these five steps into consideration, you will be far more knowledgeable and better prepared to begin installation.  Remember, a smooth and easy installation always depends on good preparation and proper planning.  And if you encounter problems during installation, don't hesitate to call the manufacturer or retailer who sold you the system; as they have trained professionals who are ready to assist you with any questions or troubleshooting.  With a little time and patience, you'll be well on your way to having your new composting toilet installed.