We are considering making an offer to a condo that we really like but the condo has only 1 full bathroom and no half baths. If we can add a half bath to this 3rd story condo it would make it perfect. So, the situation is that on one side of the condo is a full bathroom next to the master bedroom. All the way across the condo, pass the living and dining rooms, is the kitchen and a washer/dryer unit. We are wondering how possible is the plumbing for us to add a half bath by where the kitchen and washer/dryer is. The condo is on the 3rd floor of a century old charming building. It's definitely not possible to put in entirely new plumbing all the way from the first floor or anything like that. But is there a way we can utilize the plumbing of the kitchen and the washer/dryer?
:)
Thank you!

If I can I would love to make a suggestion. If you are going through all this effort why not make it a full bath. Since it is a condo you may need to get permission to touch the plumbing.

Hi all:

Hey Danielnoahsmommy raised good point! If going to go to all this trouble... go all the way!

Anyway...to answer your question...

If you want to add a TOILET to the third floor you are required to have a 3" waste stack to do this... meaning you CANNOT use the plumbing pipes from the kitchen sink or the washing machine waste line.

There is an exception or two here.. but doubt they apply.

Most likely will need to cut into a vertical sewer pipe from the 1st or 2nd floor and extend it to the third floor. That means you will need to open walls.

If you decide to open walls... and you have the space.. AS DNM suggested... a 3/4 or full bath may be worth considering considering work involved in adding just toilet and sink... ;)

All depends on space available, of course!

Let us know what you think... MARK

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Wow! Thank you so much for the answers.
True, I don't know why we think we want only a half bath :o
If there is space to split the bathroom that is there now in to 2 bathrooms, does that make it more possible to use the plumbing that is already in there ?

Thank you again :)

Hi Nokivi:

If there is space where old bathroom exists now and you want to add 1/2 bath (or more.. ;) ) then that would certainly work for you... but be clear, if mess with the older plumbing as much as you can use the old vents, you WILL need to change the larger waste pipes almost entirely to make the change you are asking about.

But sounds like it would be a lot easier than bringing pipes up through the other condo. Units!

Let me know what you think... MARK

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Mark,
Thank you! I guess this is a lot of work, huh? I am not sure what you mean by messing with the older plumbing... but I guess you are saying that we need to change the large waste pipes... which then I don't know what that is! Oh, oh.

But thank you so much for the expert advice.

You understood perfectly!

It is a big job to say the least, but we are glad to talk you through any parts of the job you might wish to do.

Sounds like the bigger part of the job should be hired out to professionals.

Keep us in the loop should you decide to purchase the home. Pics. Will help in the future!

Good luck... MARK

Massplumber's correct when he says this is a major undertaking, however it's doable with a little effort. Just so you'll know what' you're getting into let me tell you how your remodel will go down. Most bathroom groups are roughed in like this.
Toilet connects the stack vent,(3 inches minium, That's what Mark was referring to). Lavatory connects to toilet drain and runs a vent off the top the stubout tee out the roof or revents back into a dry vent in the attic.. The toilet wet vents through the lavatory vent and the tub/shower connects to the lavatory drain and is wet vented by it. This is a normal rough in and is acceptable both by local and state codes and also The Standard Plumbing Code Book in 90 percent of the country. Check your local codes.to make sure you're not in the excluded 10 percent.. The vent off the lavatory may be run out the roof or revented back into a dry vent in the attic or if you're reventing back into a fixtures dry vent you must make your connection at least 6 inches over that fixtures flood rim. Once the drainage's is in the rest comes easy. Get al least three estimates and pick the one you're most comfortable with. Good luck, Tom

Thank you Mark and Tom!

We are going to visit the place again (by the way we are in St. Louis, Missouri). I will take some pictures and keep you posted.

Thank you again :)