I want to add a shower to our basement, the plumbing is not there. How do I put the shower plumbing in? Do I have to cut into the main pipe for the shower? Do I have to cut into the cement, or can the plumbing be installed above the cement?

Thanks

labman

Where is the drain you intend to use? Check where any floor drain goes. Tom will have a more reliable answer, but I don't think you can legally run a shower drain into a storm drain. Tom can also advise you better on whether your local code may allow running a drain across the floor to a drain connected to the sanitary system. In the end, you must find out what your local code says about both these points.

You must have a drain below where the shower is. Our first house had a unique solution to a commode in a basement where the sanitary sewer was about a foot above the floor. The throne was mounted on a concrete pad 2 steps above the floor allowing it to drain into the sewer. You many need to sacrifice a little head room in your shower. There are also pump systems allowing drainage to a higher drain.

Most basements have exposed water lines. Simply pick a hot and cold line and cut in and instal a tee. I would suggest using PVC and CPVC for the hot water. They are cheap, plenty of fittings available, and almost fool proof unless limited by local codes. You can even ''tee'' into a copper or other line with a compression tee. Just make sure the line is fixed in place with a positive retainer. I run wires back the the last elbow or tee. If you already have PVC and CPVC, anybody with a hacksaw can shut the water off and cement in a tee.

CPVC is a chemical cousin to PVC. Slightly more expensive, but suitable for hot water. It usually is color coded a light yellow and comes in slightly different diameters to prevent mixing fittings.

Some areas use a gray or white pipe formerly polybutylene (PB), now cross linked polyethylene (XPE). It is usually crimped. That takes a special tool. I would start with the (C)PVC compression fitting as above. There is also ABS, often black. I have never worked with it, but it may be as cheap and easy as PVC.

This answer is only meant to allow you to begin thinking about the job before Tom answers. He knows what he is doing. Unfortunately right now that is recovering from Frances.

mr_evans2u

Thanks labman
I have the water lines ready to go already, but was lost on the drain for the shower. I will check with my local code.

speedball1

AS usual Labman gave you good advice.  You have several options here.  if you have a floor drain you could raise the shower pan up a few inches and drain direct into the floor drain, no trap needed.  Or you can jackhammer up the cement and tie into a minor fixture that's vented.  For instance  you can not tie a unvented minor fixture like a sink or shower to a major fixture  like a toilet and discharge past it.  My advice?  Save yourself a lot of hassle and follow Labmans advice, raise the shower pan and discharge into a floor drain.  Francis has passed, we are looking for a direct hit from Ivan. Good luck (and wish us luck too).,  Tom

mr_evans2u

thanks guys I think I can make that work. Just make a sub floor to the drain to make it look nicer should do the trick. I really never thought of doing it that way.