Waterless urinals are a great addition to make the environment greener by saving a lot of water and energy. They have become famous in recent years, and many facilities use them because they are more sanitary and easy to maintain.
What Are Waterless Urinals Made Of? Waterless urinals are made of fiberglass, polycarbonate plastic, ceramics, porcelain, vitreous china, and stainless steel. Different brands, such as Urimat, Falcon, and Kohler, are famous for manufacturing high-quality and durable urinals that are more hygienic and environment-friendly.
Different manufacturers use different materials for their manufacturing that allow the urine to pass into the drains without using water or flushing.
Therefore, the durability of the sanitary plumbing fixture depends on the materials used in their formation and the quality of the products.
What materials are used to make waterless urinals?
Professional workers use different materials to manufacture waterless urinals.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is plastic reinforced material formed by embedding the glass fiber with woven threads and holding it together using adhesive materials.
Different types of glasses are used, depending on the desired material and the application, such as it uses silica, calcium, silicate, boron, and magnesium.
Urinals made using fiberglass are durable because of the resins with liquid hardeners.
They are stain, corrosion, and rust-resistant and are best to use in public places where high traffic use this plumbing fixture.
The reinforced plastic used in manufacturing is the toughest material, which can withstand different temperatures and conditions.
They do not peel off and are less prone to cracks because of their high mechanical strength.
However, they cannot withstand the prolonged use of high-abrasive cleaners with toxic chemicals that can cause the surface to look rough and yellow over time.
Polycarbonate plastic
Polycarbonate plastics are thermoplastic amorphous polymers having carbonate linkages or functional groups, which are commercially famous for exceptional features.
Polycarbonate plastic waterless urinals are high-quality plumbing fixtures with stiff and durable designs.
The high-tech plastic makes the bowl break-resistant, and the non-porous surface causes the bowl germs and is mold-free.
They are highly eco-friendly, hygienic, and easy to install, which forces many brands to use this material in the manufacturing of different components of sanitary plumbing fixtures.
However, they require high maintenance because the surface is not resistant to scratches and can get damaged if you accidentally drop something heavy on its surface. You can polish the surface with high-quality finishers to make it scratch-resistant.
Ceramic
Ceramic waterless urinals look attractive and add more beauty to the place where you installed them.
The surface is highly polished with high-quality finishing materials, which causes the cleaning simple and easy.
Its different components are manufactured using ceramic material instead of the entire plumbing fixture.
As a result, they are resistant to corrosion and do not tarnish or fade away, and remain fresh and new after a long time if you maintain these plumbing fixtures properly.
They are less stiff than stainless steel but denser than fiberglass, which urges manufacturers to use them for their products.
They are brittle and can break if you hit or drop something on the surface while cleaning this plumbing fixture.
It is better to use less harsh chemicals to clean the plumbing fixture, as they can affect the liquid sealant and cause pores on the surface, which leads to mold and bacteria residing on the surface.
Porcelain
Porcelain is one of the most commonly used materials for manufacturing these products.
This is because they are less prone to wear and tear and are non-absorbent due to their non-porous surface.
It adds an attractive and smooth look to the plumbing fixture and is stain-resistant.
In addition, you can easily clean the urinal with a soft cloth or sponge because the abrasive cleaners can damage the sanitary plumbing fixture and the cartridge.
They are affordable and can last longer when you take proper care, as the porcelain plumbing fixtures cannot bear the sharp and heavy-weight objects hitting the surface.
Their surface may chip off over time if you apply harsh cleaning chemicals, and causing cracks where germs and bacteria can grow.
It is better to select a high-quality porcelain fixture to install in public areas because urinal usage is more in these places.
Vitreous China
Vitreous china is similar to porcelain, or you can say that it is highly enamel-coated porcelain, which makes it more resilient, glossy, and attractive.
It is another common choice for urinals after porcelain because of the enamel coating that causes less surface captivation to mold and moisture absorption.
They are more durable than ceramic and porcelain plumbing fixtures, but make sure to use non-abrasive cleaning pads to clean the surface because hard cleaning tools can damage the coating.
The plumbing fixture can start chipping and peeling off when used frequently, and the maintenance is poor, affecting its durability.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel waterless urinals are designed for high-traffic areas and are made using iron, chromium, and a small percentage of other elements, such as titanium, nickel, manganese, etc.
The cartridge and latex membrane of the plumbing fixture is made of stainless steel, which needs less replacement than other materials.
Most hospitals and other high-traffic places have installed stainless steel plumbing fixtures in the facility.
The chromium alloy in the manufacturing of these urinals reacts with the oxygen present in the air and makes the plumbing fixture surface rust and corrosion-resistant.
They are less expensive as compared to other products, and the cartridge and other components need less replacement per year.
However, other plumbing fixtures need a cartridge to replace 3-4 times yearly.
What are the different manufacturers of waterless urinals?
Many brands manufacture waterless urinals using different materials because of the increasing demand for these plumbing fixtures to save more water and less maintenance.
Urimat waterless urinals
Urimat is one of the most reliable and well-known brands that manufacture high-quality products for their customers.
Most of the plumbing fixtures made by this brand use high-tech plastic and high-quality ceramics that causes sanitary plumbing fixtures more durable and easy to maintain.
The new Urimat waterless urinals have LCD video displays installed in these plumbing fixtures and automatic cleaning systems, which makes them more promising and famous in the facilities.
Falcon waterless urinals
Falcon is a Los Angeles-based company famous for their innovative technologies to save water and make the environment more eco-friendly.
Falcon sanitary plumbing fixtures have integrated diverter shield that prevents urine splashes and dust from entering the drains and bowl.
They use 15-20% less plastic in the cartridge and other components, which makes them more eco-friendly than other brands.
Kohler waterless urinals
Kohler is a worldwide known brand for different bathroom plumbing fixtures, and the products can last many years with proper care and maintenance.
They use vitreous china and porcelain to manufacture sanitary and other plumbing fixtures that look attractive and enhance the overall look of the place.
They include the removable strainer and cartridge with sample bottles of high-quality liquid sealant.
The touch and water-free design help to earn more points in LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system for green buildings.
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