What is a dry closet: the principle of operation and the specifics of using autonomous plumbing

Types of substances

During the operation of dry closets, various substances are used that are required for the normal maintenance of ongoing processes. In houses where dry closets are installed, special preparations are required to eliminate odors.

All substances used in various types of toilets can be divided into groups:

• using composts;
• the use of biological treatment;
• using chemical solutions.

In dry closets with the use of chemicals, solutions are used that disinfect when they are used simultaneously with the flushing of waste. Waste is necessarily collected and disposed of with a discharge into the sewer.

Industrial enterprises produce 2 types of liquids for toilets:

1. Liquids used for top tanks, flushing waste into a receiving tank.
2. Liquids used for the bottom tank and intended for waste splitting.

Top tank fluids are designed to flush waste and eliminate odors. An example is the popular Septicsol products, which include an extensive list of different products. Septicsol-R top tank liquid with a 1 liter package capacity perfectly eliminates odors and improves waste flushing.

Thefford manufactures good, quality products for dry closets that meet the environmental standards for this group of products. Thefford Aqua Rinse top tank cleaner is an excellent toilet bowl disinfectant and cistern improves waste flushing, saving water.

Russian companies produce products for processing dry closet equipment:

• liquid for dry closets "Biofresh";
• liquid for the upper tank "Biola";
• liquid for the upper tank "Ecofresh".

Liquids for the lower tanks with the ability to decompose waste are widely represented. High product quality is the hallmark of Septicsol. The produced Septicsol-R is a universal product - it can be used together with water or independently. A good result is achieved - the foreign smell disappears, the waste is well washed off, which contributes to additional water savings.

Russian companies produce liquids for the lower tanks "Ekola" and "Biola".

For dry closets operating with peat mixtures. The drugs are sold packaged in 15 kg packages by the well-known Finnish company Kekkla Hajusieppo. Mixtures have the ability to absorb up to 60-80% moisture. Russian enterprises produce a mixture of "Ekotorf" with packaging of 15 kg, which has similar characteristics.

Related materials:

• storage tanks;
• dry closets for the disabled.

Design features

All modern models of dry closets maximally repeat the principle of operation of a conventional toilet bowl. Many of the samples have a water flush, which is convenient for users, but at the same time, the devices are completely autonomous.

This difference is their great advantage, as it allows them to be used in any conditions. For the correct functioning of dry closets, special fluids are also needed.

They can be poured into the waste collection tank or into the one where the flush water is located. This feature allows you to organize efficient waste disposal, as well as significantly reduce the capacity of the tank, thereby ensuring the small dimensions of the structure.

The developers of portable closets paid great attention not only to the appearance of the structure, but also to the issue of emptying. For this, the design of the dry closet is equipped with a drain pipe through which liquid is drained. While solid waste can be further composted and used as fertilizer

While solid waste can be further composted and used as fertilizer.

Varieties of dry closets

Scheme of operation of a composting dry closet

As mentioned above, they dispose of waste by composting, splitting or drying. This determines the type of device, a combination of actions is not provided.

Composting

In them, microorganisms are engaged in recycling, which must be provided with a place to live before they begin their direct duties. Typically, this substance is bog peat, which has undergone special processing, but other fillers can be used. Therefore, the term "peat composting dry closet" is most often used.

They provide for the separation of waste into fractions - solid and liquid. The first turns into compost, and the second is removed, by natural filtration, into a separate container

Pay attention to this fact, since it directly affects the possibility of installing a dry closet indoors

They consist of

• a container where a receiving container with holes for passing liquid is placed,
• seat cover,
• containers for peat or substrate for microorganisms.

There are designs with a mechanism for spreading it in a thin layer after a visit (dry flush)

It has a ventilation pipe, which is also important to consider for placement

The spent peat substrate is stored in compost pits and is ready for fertilizing the beds in six months.

Chemical

The decomposition of waste in them occurs with the help of chemical reagents - splitters. They consist of two containers - for flushing fluid, which simultaneously plays the role of a seat, and a receiving one (lower tank). It has neither a ventilation pipe nor a liquid fraction output to a separate pit. Therefore, they are most suitable for the definition of "home dry closet".

The lower tank is emptied into a nearby ditch, somewhere away from sources of drinking water. It is impossible to drain into silt septic tanks - destroy all its microflora. An excellent way to lime hogweed. The drained liquid has neither a specific smell nor a disgusting appearance.

Electrical

Dry closet electric - the latest fashion. Solid waste in it is dried to a powdery state by a heating element powered by a 220 volt household network. They can be used to fertilize the beds immediately after, but better after six months. A small home crematorium does not work with liquid waste. A special section is provided for them, which you still need to manage to get into, and then only from a sitting (even for men) position.

It is equipped with a drain pipe (you can find a container for the liquid yourself), a fan and an exhaust pipe.

Dry closet for giving without smell and pumping out

Bathroom with dry closet in rustic style

A dry closet for giving without smell and pumping out was quite recently perceived as something mythical. Today, the variety of models of these devices is so great that a potential buyer involuntarily becomes confused. A dry closet for a country house is inexpensive and fully justifies the money spent on it.

Dry closets are called septic tanks in a different way and there are several types:

• Peat.
• Chemical.
• Electric.

They are also divided into stationary and portable (mobile).

The modern market is rich in the range of dry closets

Beautiful and very comfortable dry closet Porta Potti Qube 335

User manual

The most popular liquid models.Electric ones are too expensive and require connection to the network, while peat ones require ventilation or a separate ventilated room. The liquid toilet is easy to maintain at home, refilling is not a problem, it is airtight and hygienic.

To use this device correctly, please follow the instructions. You will need to purchase reagents in advance and fill the tank with liquid, you will also need to fill in water separately - it is needed to wash off the waste. If necessary, you can use a pump to pump out excess if you plan to store the device.

Do not forget about the timely processing of the toilet, then it will serve you longer. In addition, it is necessary to provide in advance a place where waste can be drained. The drain tank is easily removed, you need to get it, take it to the sewage pit, open it and empty it.

Training

As a rule, models have two separate sections. One is for water, the other is for waste.

Please note that toilet fluid must be added to both tanks. Usually about 150 ml per 20 liters is required

Use a special nozzle to pour the product into the lower tank, without it you can accidentally damage the seal. It is advisable to use biocompositions. Unlike chemicals, they are non-toxic, do not harm the environment, and are easier to dispose of.

Usage

The toilet has a special valve that lifts the flap on the lower tank. Before using it for its intended purpose, it must be opened so that waste can enter the tank. Flushing is carried out using a pump. You need to pull the lever to release the water. It is not recommended to throw regular toilet paper down the toilet. It does not decompose well and causes blockages.However, you can purchase paper for dry closets, which is sold in specialized stores. It is easily soluble, so there will be no problems with its use.

Tank emptying

Some models are equipped with a special indicator that shows the filling level of the tank. If it lights up red - it's time to drain the waste. In the absence of an indicator, you will have to monitor this yourself. A full tank must be disconnected and delivered to a waste disposal site.

To empty, you need to insert the drain pipe, point it down and press the opening valve button - then the contents will not spill. Water from the second tank can be drained through the neck by turning the container over. A pump must be used for complete emptying. If you do not plan to use the toilet for a long time, do not forget to completely empty both tanks.

Cleaning

To maintain hygiene, regular cleaning is essential. It is necessary to use special products intended for dry closets

Ordinary household chemicals will not work - these compounds can damage seals and other structural elements. You need to clean inside the toilet to wash the surface from plaque, and from the outside.

What do experts advise?

The first thing that is recommended to pay attention to is how the dry closet will be installed and in what room. When it is purchased for use in the country, you can stop at the composting model. If there is a standard toilet in the house, then in this case, pay attention to samples using special mixtures with microorganisms

If there is a standard toilet in the house, then in this case, pay attention to samples using special mixtures with microorganisms. Watch a video review of the electric version:

Watch a video review of the electric version:

Well, for those who like to travel and do not want to do without the conveniences of a hike, the chemical option is ideal. This dry closet is one of the most compact and light, one hundred allows it to be transported to any distance.

It is possible that a portable sanitary device is purchased as a stationary dry closet. In this case, additional equipment will be required, namely, sets of ventilation and drainage pipes. They will be required to remove unpleasant odors and liquid waste.

Features of gas connections

When connecting gas stoves, columns and other types of equipment, flexible connections are also used. Unlike models for water, they are yellow and are not tested for environmental safety. For fixing, end steel or aluminum fittings are used. There are the following types of devices for connecting gas appliances:

• PVC hoses reinforced with polyester thread;
• synthetic rubber with stainless steel braid;
• bellows, made in the form of a corrugated stainless steel tube.

Holding "Santekhkomplekt" offers engineering equipment, fittings, plumbing and fixtures for its connection to communications. The assortment is represented by products and materials of well-known foreign and domestic manufacturers. Discounts apply for bulk purchases, and product quality is confirmed by standard certificates.For information support and assistance, a personal manager is assigned to each client. The ability to arrange delivery within Moscow and other regions of the Russian Federation allows you to quickly receive the purchased goods without any hassle.

How electric dry closets work

In an electric dry closet, the waste is first dried, then incinerated or compressed. The liquid is discharged through a hose into the sewer system or directly into the soil.

For the rational operation of dry closets on electricity, it is necessary to additionally do ventilation and drainage. And this, in turn, leads to a rise in price, which makes them not the best option for seasonal use in the country.

Video review of dry closets

Additional elements:

• electric fan;
• electric seat heating;
• waste container filling sensor;
• wheels to facilitate transportation of the structure;
• toilet paper tray;
• removable seat for children;
• plastic steps for children;
• handrails for the disabled and the elderly;
• holes for permanent installation of the structure.

liquid toilet

Waste is disposed of

The use of chemical waste can lead to the death of plants grown by the summer resident on the site. For this reason, manufacturers have come up with an alternative in the form of ammonium-based supplements. Using such fertilizers, you can be sure that it will not harm the environment. Before proceeding with the installation of such a dry closet for a summer residence, it does not hurt to get instructions for its operation.

Dry closets of this type are in high demand among many owners of suburban areas.According to them, liquid dry closets emit enough heat, do not create problems in installation and are similar in appearance to ordinary toilets that are installed in city apartments.

Model selection

Electric dry closets have appeared quite recently, so not many companies have managed to master the production of such products yet. The models presented below can be recommended to the attention of a potential buyer.

For giving

Growing vegetables and other edible vegetation, as you know, requires the use of fertilizers, so in the country it is best to install an electrically composting dry closet. The Swedish company produces an electric dry closet for giving "Separett-VILLA 9011".

The characteristics are as follows:

• volume of accumulative capacity: 23 l;
• height: 441 mm;
• width: 672 mm;
• depth 456 mm;
• weight: 17 kg.

Separett Villa 9011

Despite the moderate cost of the model, it has established itself as a convenient and reliable device.

For home

In general, among electric dry closets for the home, the model in which fuel is burned will be more suitable. The Separett-Villa line also has such a “burning” model.

Here are its characteristics:

• weight: 28 kg;
• depth: 540 mm;
• height: 635 mm;
• width: 395 mm;
• the amount of energy spent on waste incineration and other activities at each visit: 0.4 - 1.3 kWh;
• material: acrylic and metal parts are used.

Separett Villa incineration chamber

The Norwegian company Cinderella produces a much more expensive burning electric dry closet, but it also surpasses the Norwegian one in quality.

Its characteristics are:

• weight: 30 kg;
• depth: 585 mm;
• height: 590 mm;
• width: 385 mm;
• energy consumption for waste incineration at each visit: 0.7 kWh;
• material: metal and acrylic parts are used.

Also, for installation in the house, we can recommend an electric dry closet made in the USA, manufactured under the brand name "Incinolet WB".

Incinolet - combustion process

To choose the right toilet model, you need to know exactly the dimensions of the room in which it will be installed.

You should also pay attention to the presence of several heating modes, which are characterized by different energy consumption: a device equipped with this option will ultimately turn out to be more economical

If the buyer plans to do the installation on his own, it is advisable to ask the seller about the method of installation when considering candidates.

Some models are more difficult to install, others are easier. In the absence of experience, preference should be given to the second.

The subtleties of the choice of building materials

When the decision on the type of construction of the toilet has been made, the material to be used in the construction must be selected. The choice of building material matters even at the stage of drawing development.

Most often used:

• wood;
• brick;
• metal.

These are the usual materials for a summer resident, which almost everyone knows how to handle.

Option # 1 - a simple and reliable wooden toilet

When it comes to summer cottage construction, first of all, all kinds of wooden buildings are presented.

Boards and timber from inexpensive, but strong enough and durable coniferous woods are easy to get, and complex equipment is not required for work. In extreme cases, you can work with wood even without the use of power tools.

Depending on how you design your toilet, completely different latrines can be built from one drawing. One of the options is wall decor with a block house or clapboard

If you want to make the toilet not only practical and functional, but also a full-fledged decorative element in your country house, try building it from a log house. It will take much longer to tinker, but the result is worth it.

A country toilet is not the most favorable environment. The tree can rot and collapse if it is not treated with special means. Impregnation with an antiseptic is a prerequisite for the construction of a lumber latrine.

The construction of a toilet house using frame technology includes a number of traditional steps:

Option # 2 - a capital structure made of bricks

The advantages of brick buildings over wooden ones are known to everyone from the fairy tale about the three little pigs.

In addition to strength, a brick toilet has a low thermal conductivity, which is important if you go to the country in the cold season. A brick country toilet looks like a house with a single or gable roof

Windows can be designed.

It is not necessary to use an ordinary brick. More modern block materials such as foam concrete, cinder block, aerated concrete will be an excellent alternative

The project of such a toilet includes not only a drawing of the above-ground part of the toilet, but also the foundation. In this case, it will not be possible to do without a foundation, since the own weight of a brick building is quite large.

Without support, the soil will soon compact and sag, which will cause cracks in the walls of the toilet.

Option # 3 - metal toilet

Metal is a material with a high coefficient of thermal conductivity.In a closet made of metal sheets, it will be unbearably hot in summer and very cold in winter.

Without the use of heat-insulating materials, an iron toilet in a country house can only be a temporary project - until the main toilet is built.

Most often, corrugated sheets sewn onto a metal profile frame are used. In this embodiment, a profiled metal sheet is used. Roof made of polycarbonate on a metal frame

It is difficult to achieve tightness of the joints of such a thin and flexible material. There will be cracks in the corners through which the house will blow the wind, which also does not add comfort.

If you apply modern technologies and use sandwich panels as wall materials, you can get a completely comfortable restroom. Styrofoam or mineral wool is installed as a heater.

We also recommend that you study our material on how to build a toilet in the country with your own hands.

Dry closet for giving without smell

A dry closet in the country is no longer a luxury, but a normal phenomenon of the 21st century. Wooden outdoor cabins are gradually being replaced by comfortable, compact, eye-pleasing toilets powered by biological materials.

In principle, a dry closet is a device that converts waste products into an odorless liquid, compost or dry flour.

Since these "amenities" come in different models, before you buy them, think about what kind of toilet you need.

• Peat dry closet. It is installed permanently in a certain place, as it requires ventilation.
• Electric composting dry closet. It requires not only ventilation equipment, but also an electrical connection.
• Portable dry closet. It can be moved from place to place and even carried with you in the car if necessary.

What you need to know to determine the right model:

• storage tank volume
• product height
• the size
• the presence of an indicator.

If you are thinking about where to buy a dry closet, in a regular store or order on the Internet, pay attention to the fact that in the store you can get expert advice, as well as visually try on the product for yourself and decide on the desired size and height. By the way, I often do this: I choose a suitable model in a store, and then order it on the Internet - it turns out cheaper

Chemical dry closet

These toilets are portable (portable), have small dimensions. They are so compact that they can be easily placed in any room.

Such dry closets consist of two parts - containers. At the top there is a seat and a water tank, and at the bottom there is a waste tank. Different models of portable chemical dry closets (regardless of price and manufacturer) only in the size of the receiving tank and in additional "bells and whistles". In more expensive models, for example, there is an indicator of the degree of filling of the lower tank and instead of a manual flush, there is an electric pump.

Varieties of composting toilets

Offered this type of dry closets can be divided into the following types:

• liquid;
• peat;
• electrical.

The first type is considered to be the most budgetary. In addition to the low price, interest in it is associated with a fairly simple installation and the ability to choose any place in the house for it.

Peat dry closets can only be used if there is a specially equipped room: a drainage pipe is required for its operation or the possibility to ensure its output. It must be connected to a drain pit into which liquid waste will flow. In addition, in such a room it is necessary to provide additional ventilation so that it is possible to remove gases resulting from the interaction of peat with waste.

Evaluating each of the options described above, it can be noted that the peat dry closet is the easiest to maintain, since the need for cleaning it rarely occurs. This is largely facilitated by a fairly large storage tank, the volume of which is about 40 liters. The design of the tank is such that maximum moisture removal is ensured, which allows compacting waste, and this increases the space for new portions. You should take care of the presence of a bowl with a safety valve. At the moment when the level of feces in the sewer exceeds a critical level, such an element will prevent the backflow of liquid waste.

Design features of the device

The first portable models appeared a very long time ago. They were used by British troops in World War I. But they were still very bulky and heavy. The “docker toilets”, invented in California in the 1940s, are not far from them in terms of their parameters. But a truly portable model was the development of a Canadian aircraft designer, who invented the first sample of a dry closet. It was mobile, water and non-volatile and became the prototype of modern designs.

Portable dry closet device

They consist of two rather easily separable plastic tanks. The top is made in the form of a toilet with a lid and a container of water. The lower one is a tank in which, under the influence of a special composition, the process of waste processing takes place. Moreover, it can have different volumes.

Some products are equipped with water level and fill indicators, as well as a drain valve lock to prevent the spread of odors.

Mobile devices are small in size and very convenient to use for short trips to nature. When purchasing such a device for travel, its size is usually put in the first place. It should fit in the trunk of a car and still have a small weight even with a full tank.

Varieties of designs of dry closets for the home

There are three main types of dry closets:

• electrical
• liquid
• peat

Each of them has its own characteristics, positive and negative sides, which are discussed in more detail below.

liquid

In such dry closets, for the purpose of waste disposal, various chemical reagents are used that turn the entire contents of the lower tank into a homogeneous liquid. The following compositions are used as the active ingredient responsible for the destruction of the biomaterial:

• based on ammonium, splitting organic compounds in the anaerobic environment of the lower tank for 5-7 days
• biological preparations (nutrient solution contaminated with active strains of bacteria) are the most environmentally friendly way to disintegrate organic matter, followed by its transformation into valuable fertilizer
• based on formaldehyde, characterized by the greatest toxicity and therefore permitted for use only if the liquid is drained into a closed sewer.

Peat

The filler for such dry closets is peat, peat-sawdust mixture, or other similar compositions. In the process of “working” the device, they react with human secretions, turning into almost odorless compost. The rating of dry closets for the home puts them in first place in terms of price and convenience. But, at the same time, it should be remembered that the filler will not cope with the liquid fraction completely, so you should opt for models that are able to separate the liquid in the lower tank and accumulate it in a separate tank.

Electric

The principle of operation of this device is to burn (dry) or freeze human waste, depending on the model, with parallel ventilation. After considering how the dry closet works on electricity, it becomes clear that it is worth giving preference to drying models that separate waste into solid and liquid fractions, turning the first into ash, which settles in the lower tank and drains the second into a separate container. This approach will save a lot of energy. As for freezing models, their eternal problem is the disposal of frozen excrement.

For DIY enthusiasts

There will always be people who prefer to do everything by hand. Especially for them, there is a simple recipe for an effective remedy for the lower tank:

1. Take 75 grams of starch and 25 grams of table salt.
2. Mix thoroughly and pour 100 grams of water.
3. Put the mixture on fire, heat, achieving a uniform consistency, stirring constantly.
4. Cool down the mass.
5. Pour in aromatic oil of your choice.
6. Add 20 milliliters of table vinegar.
7. Add 10 grams of liquid soap.

What liquid for dry closets do you use?

AmmoniumBiological

This tool has a shelf life of no more than two weeks, its effectiveness is low, but it can be used in the absence of a professional tool at hand.