We are currently in the middle of changing our basement 3/4 bath into a full bath. The bathroom is 5.5' by 13.5'. We want to put the sink where the shower was and put a tub/shower where the sink was. (because the space where the shower was is too small for a tub). The old sink drain is centered 4 in from the s. wall so we need to move it so it is 16 in centered. We could raise the tub for the p trap and drain pipe to run to the existing drain or ... we think we should cut out the concrete because the tub looks too high when we raise it and there is no room for a step in this narrow space. Is it a difficult task to cut concrete? We bought 2 different masonry bits and already have a saw blade thinking we can drill some holes along the line (about 12 in plus a hole for trap) we think we will need and then chipping them away. How deep is a standard basement floor?

Also, when we run a snake down the existing drain it seems to run perpendicular away from the drain north but the snake won't go very far. Is it possible that it is a p trap buried in the cement and the curves are what's making it difficult to push the snake through? How can we know?

I could post pics if needed. The sink and shower both functioned. It was just in need of repair and the tub sounded like a great idea. Thanks Virginia

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new tub toilet sink

speedball1

Hi Virginia,

It's not gonna be as simple as you think. The cement floor will have to come up and your drainage reconfigured to accept the tub. Plus the lavatory will have to be vented back to the old vent. The lavatory will have to connect to the toilet drain or the sewer main and the tub will have to connect to the lavatory drain and be wetvented by it. Also a 12" X 12" tub hole will have to be cut in for the tub trap and raiser. Compared to the drainage the water pipe will be easy.
This is major surgery and not a weekend project. The cement floor is 4" thick. We use a jack hammer to break it up. The piping can convert to PVC if you wish but some plumbing skills and tools will be needed.

"Also, when we run a snake down the existing drain it seems to run perpendicular away from the drain north but the snake won't go very far. Is it possible that it is a p trap buried in the cement and the curves are what's making it difficult to push the snake through? How can we know?"

There is, indeed,a trap under the cement but this will be moved over to pick up the tub providing it's a 2"trap and not a 1 1'2" one.
Good luck and If I can be of help click on back. Regards, om

mtmomof5

I just don't understand why we can't drain the sink into the old shower drain? We are basically just putting the sink where the shower stall was. Then putting the shower/tub where the sink was. Isn't it all vented already? We know we have to put the ptraps in so the sewer smell can't come into the house so making room for the ptrap for the tub by chipping out the cement seems like the only reasonable option.

The cement where the shower was has been chipped away so attaching to the pipe for the sink should be simple, we will just have pipe running through most of our cabinet because it is located farther from the wall than normal.


The tub will be on the east (where the sink was) then the toilet is in the middle but more to the west. Then we plan on putting the sink on the west end (where the shower was). Toilet hasn't been moved. They are all in a line.
E________________________W
***tub***---*toilet*-*sink*
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speedball1

"I just don't understand why we can't drain the sink into the old shower drain? "
Because the sink will bave to be vented and since you're tying the tub in where the lavatory was you will have to install a seperate vent for the tub if you do it that way. That's two vents, one for the sink and one for the tub. However, you may tie the two vents together and revent both back into the old sink vent. Let me know how you make out. Regards, Tom