By Luis Arias, Inside Technical Sales, SFA Saniflo USA
Homeowners today are increasingly focused on creating comfortable, connected living environments beyond their walls. Outdoor upgrades are booming as more people look to enhance their backyards, patios, and pool areas with features that blend convenience, function, and style.
Outdoor living spaces offer many benefits, such as increased home value, convenience, lower energy bills, and improved hosting and entertaining. That is why outdoor kitchens, with sinks and wet bars, are among the most sought-after home improvements.
But adding plumbing to these areas isn’t always straightforward. Many projects begin with existing hardscapes—concrete patios, brick pavers, or composite decking—which make installing conventional plumbing drainage messy and expensive. Tying into the main sewer line often means breaking through these surfaces and trenching to reach interior drain connections.
Above-floor plumbing changes that. These systems allow you to install fully functional sinks, toilets, showers, and even appliances without disturbing the ground or existing structures. For new builds or retrofits, they offer a faster, cleaner, and more cost-effective path to running water outdoors.
If you’re looking to add function to your backyard, above-floor plumbing systems are transforming outdoor upgrades. These solutions give you an alternative to breaking the floor to run below-grade plumbing lines—especially if your budget isn’t big enough.
Outdoor Kitchen
Cooking alfresco takes outdoor living to the next level. While sharing a meal outside is enjoyable, preparing it outdoors transforms patios into fully functional extensions of the home. As outdoor kitchens continue to gain popularity, more homeowners are customizing their spaces with grills, pizza ovens, refrigerators—and, increasingly, running water.
A fully equipped kitchen needs a sink, but adding one can be costly, especially if conventional plumbing is required. Traditional installations often mean trenching or cutting through patios to access below-grade drainage. However, above-floor plumbing offers a smarter alternative.
Installing a drain pump allows you to add a sink—or even multiple water-using appliances—without disturbing existing structures. A unit like the Sanivite makes it easy to discharge gray water from sinks, dishwashers, or washing machines through a compact system that fits neatly inside a cabinet. It pumps waste water up to 16 feet vertically and 150 feet horizontally, making it ideal for both residential and light-commercial setups.
Engineered for versatility, the Sanivite includes two, low-positioned, 2-inch inlets and a top-mounted 1.5-inch inlet with a vent connection. The unit also features built-in check valves and a discharge elbow to support rigid piping in 1-inch, 1.25-inch, or 1.5-inch sizes—ensuring a secure and code-compliant install. For more demanding applications, the Sanibest Pro steps in with commercial-grade muscle. This heavy-duty grinder system is designed to handle not only wastewater but also sanitary products and tough solids that would clog a standard macerator. It’s a rugged, reliable solution for pool houses, accessory dwelling units, park restrooms, and other high-traffic outdoor facilities—delivering power and performance wherever you need it.
Outdoor Bath or Shower
Adding an outdoor bathroom is a major convenience for homes with a pool, spa, or detached workout space. However, building one from scratch, especially away from the main house, can be costly and time-consuming if you rely on traditional below-floor plumbing.
That’s where above-floor solutions offer a more innovative alternative. One such option is the Sanicompact, a self-contained, one-piece macerating toilet that eliminates the need to break concrete or excavate to install drainage. Compact and tankless, it’s ideal for tight spaces like a cabana, garden shed, or poolside changing room. The unit features a dual-flush system (1.28 and 1.0 gallons per flush), making it a water-efficient choice that helps manage utility costs while supporting sustainability.
San Diego homeowners Dino and Beth Gregorich used the Sanicompact to convert their backyard storage shed into a stylish, fully functional half-bathroom. “You can use a light flush with less water [1 gpf] and a full flush with more [1.28 gpf],” Gregorich explains. “In San Diego, we pay a fortune for water, so we try to save as much as possible.”
The installation took less than a day, and after a couple of weekends of adding finishing touches, the project was complete and ready for guests. For larger installations, the Saniaccess 3 is a reliable choice. It accommodates a full bathroom—sink, toilet, and shower—and features quiet operation with dual-access panels for easy maintenance. It’s especially well-suited for family-friendly outdoor suites, guest units, or pool houses requiring long-term durability.
Outdoor showers are experiencing a notable surge in popularity as homeowners increasingly seek to enhance their outdoor living spaces with features that combine functionality, luxury, and a connection to nature. A study by the respected John Burns Real Estate Consulting tracks a wide range of home topics through interviews with homeowners. The findings that relate to outdoor spaces from their most recent reports point to outdoor showers gaining popularity. The firm’s 2020 Annual Survey of Architecture Forecasts indicated that 20% of exterior residential projects that year included outdoor showers. The Sanishower drain pump offers a compact and powerful solution to support these installations. It can pump gray water up to 12 feet vertically or 100 feet horizontally, making it ideal for outdoor showers and sinks. The unit includes a pressure chamber and motor, with a vent outlet on top to meet code requirements. Its small size allows easy placement inside a vanity, cabinet, or beneath a raised shower base.
What once seemed like a luxury is now within reach. Whether it’s a toilet, sink, or full shower setup, above-floor plumbing offers an efficient and cost-effective path to creating your ideal outdoor retreat—without the demolition.
About the author: Luis Arias has been working for SFA Saniflo for 15 years as Inside Technical Sales. His vast knowledge of pump systems and the plumbing trade has been used on many large-scale projects. Luis has contributed to the overall company success by working directly with architects, engineers, and trade professionals on engineering bids.
