Maintaining a composting toilet can be quite difficult. If a composting toilet is not properly maintained, it can result to it being unusable for months. Thus, there is a need for it to be properly maintained.
How to maintain a composting toilets
Here is a step by step guide on how to maintain a composting toilets:
1) Aerating Waste with Mulch
It is expected that your composting toilet will have a deep pit where you would find mulch, sawdust being an example. A container found near the composting toilet with more mulch which you will need to toss in will be found.
Sawdust and similar materials are used instead of sand because they create small pockets of air. These air pockets allow a better air circulation in the pit thus, making it easier for bacterial cultures to decompose the waste.
Read also: How to Make Composting Toilets
2) Bacterial Assistance
Most composting toilets require bacteria for waste decomposition. Two types of bacteria are found in the composting toilet pit. The first is the bad bacteria which cause diseases while the second is the commercial bacterial cultures.
The bacterial cultures get to eliminate bad bacteria while also decomposing the waste quicker and in a more efficient way. It also eliminates the smell that comes with human waste.
Maintaining Your Composting Toilet tips
1) Daily Cleaning
Composting toilets require more cleaning than standard flush toilets. This is because of the way the toilets are built. It’s a toilet on top of a pit. Ensure you have it scooped out daily so as to trim down the pyramid of filth in the pit.
Read also: How to Use Composting Toilets Step By Step
2) Proper Usage of Mulch
A spare bucket filled with mulch should be placed near your composting toilet. This makes it easier for any individual who just used the toilet to reach it and have a fresh coat of mulch thrown on his/her waste. This dries out the waste and makes it much harder for flies and bad bacteria from breeding and growing in the pit.
3) Avoid Pouring Water in the Toilet
Pouring water in your pit is absolutely not a good idea. This is because the water will make the inside of the pit a sloppy mess and also make it harder and more disgusting to clean it out. Asides from that, it gives the bad bacteria and flies the opportunity to breed and grow.
4) Keep Other Waste
Human waste should be the only waste in your toilet. Other wastes such as glass, chunks of wood, e.t.c should not be found in your toilet.
These objects do not easily turn into compost like human waste. Asides from that, they will only make the cleaning of the pit more difficult and more dangerous in the case of glass. Thus, always ensure that foreign objects are thrown into a bin rather than a pit. (Recommended: Check these best books about composting here)
Read also: How do Composting Toilets Work?
Recommended:
- 3 Best Composting Toilets For Tiny House
- 4 Best Composting Toilets For Off-grid
- 4 Best Small Composting Toilets For Van
Faqs
How hard is it to maintain a composting toilet?
Maintaining a Composting Toilet:
- It is relatively easy to maintain a composting toilet.
- Regular tasks involve emptying the composting chamber, adding bulking agents, and ensuring proper ventilation.
- Simple maintenance routines make composting toilets user-friendly and effective.
How much maintenance is a composting toilet?
Maintenance Requirements of a Composting Toilet:
- Composting toilets require moderate maintenance compared to traditional flush toilets.
- Emptying the compost chamber is typically required every few weeks to months, depending on usage and capacity.
- Adding bulking agents and monitoring ventilation are routine tasks for optimal composting.
What are the disadvantages of a composting toilet?
Disadvantages of Composting Toilets:
- Composting toilets may have a higher upfront cost than conventional flush toilets.
- Regular maintenance, though straightforward, may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with mobility issues.
- Incorrect usage or lack of maintenance can lead to odor or operational issues.
Conclusion
Maintain a composting toilet is very important and necessary. A properly constructed composting toilet requires little or no maintenance.
However, ensure to inspect it at least once every month for possible damage due to weather and other factors. Also, learn how to empty a composting toilet here.
Reference
- Composting toilets as a sustainable alternative to urban sanitation – A review
- Survival of Fecal Coliforms in Dry-Composting Toilets
