Ask Me Help Desk - Basement Bathroom

Basement Bathroom

Ive just purchased a home and would like to add a full bath in the basement. The main plumbing drain appears to run into and below the concrete floor. The question is can the stub ins be tied into the existing drain? Can I cut up the floor and run the rough stub ins and hire a plumber to tie them in? Please help, I am quite handy but have never attempted anything other than basic plumbing.

Thanks,

Mike.

Good morning Mike,

"Can I cut up the floor and run the rough stub ins and hire a plumber to tie them in?" Yes, you may but you'll need help in laying out the drainaige unless you have knowledge of basic plumbing codes. You will have to take into consideration vents and wet vents. I can lay the rough-in out for you if you wish but in order to do this I'll need a copy of your plans showing the fixture placements and the measurements, walls, vents, etc.
" The question is can the stub ins be tied into the existing drain?"
The different branches MUST be tied into the existing drain and every fixture that's trapped, with the exception of a floor drain , must be vented.
Good luck on a difficult project. Tom

I will get the plans to you, I would appreciate a roughin layout.

Thanks,

Mike.

1 Attachment(s)

Please take a look and let me know if you need more info

Thanks Mike,

If what you're showing me at the bottom right hand page is a floor drain I'm going to need more then that. What I have to know before I can began is the location of the main sewer drain line. You can get a pretty good idea of how it's laid out by noting where the stack enters the basement floor and where the location of the outside cleanout is. After you locate the outside cleanout and mark the basement floor, the main will run in a straight line from the stack to the clean out. Send down another drawing showing me the stack and the main. Thanks, Tom

In the bottom right hand corner is the main sewer drain the cleanout is actually in the basment floor as well about 18 feet due West.

1 Attachment(s)

Here you go!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mluebbert2003

In the bottom right hand corner is the main sewer drain the cleanout is actually in the basment floor as well about 18 feet due West.

I'm sorry! Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. What I want you to do is draw in the clean out, any floor drain that may be there and the stack that comes down and goes in under the cement. What I plan on doing is to attempt to lay out the house main. This should be a straight line from the stack to the clean out. At the very least it will give me a idea of where the floor should be opened up and when I can tie in your bathroom group. Venting thegroup will be another issue that we will address after we get the drainage in. And 18 foot due West of what? Cheers, Tom

I attached another picture and drew in what you had asked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mluebbert2003

I attached another picture and drew in what you had asked.

It didn't come through. What I want you to do is draw in the clean out, any floor drain that may be there and the stack that comes down and goes in under the cement in addition to what I already have. I'll wait on your reply. Tom

1 Attachment(s)

Is this what you need?

That's fine Mike,
I drew up a rough-in last night but I'm having a problem sizing it to fit the attachments. I'm getting help on this and should have it to you today. Regards, Tom

Thanks Tom.

If it would be easier I could place all of the appliances on the same wall. Toilet, sink, shower fixtures.

Thanks again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mluebbert2003

Thanks Tom.

If it would be easier I could place all of the appliances on the same wall. Toilet, sink, shower fixtures.

Thanks again.

No but reposition the fixtures and I'll draw you up another option. (I like lots of options) Cheers, tom

1 Attachment(s)

Tom,

There is also pumbing directly above in the ceiling from the fixtures in the kitchen upstairs, if this helps.

Mike, Can you move the SmartDraw ad? It's right where I want to draw. Also here's the drawing. I reduced the size.

Tom,

I wish I could it's a demo so no. So basically I need to cut out the concrete above the main pipe where the toilet will tie in and also cut the floor to tie the tub into the toilet?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mluebbert2003

Tom,

I wish I could its a demo so no. So basically I need to cut out the concrete above the main pipe where the toilet will tie in and also cut the floor to tie the tub into the toilet?

You should check this out with the plumber before you do anything. Will a permit be pulled and will it be inspected? Regards, Tom

I am assuming yes. Any chance you could mock up a materials list? Just rough?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mluebbert2003

Tom,

I wish I could its a demo so no. So basically I need to cut out the concrete above the main pipe where the toilet will tie in and also cut the floor to tie the tub into the toilet?

Let's see if this comes through.

"Any chance you could mock up a materials list?" As a rule the plumber does that when he lays out the job. If I were to list materials which plan would you want? Regards Tom

Tom, I would like to go with the option with the shower on the opposite wall. Also I would like to do as much of the work as possible myself, I would like the plumber to just tie into the main and I also need to have a sump pit installed. While I am cutting up the floor could I also save some money by cutting a hole and digging the trench for the sump basin?

Thanks,

Mike.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mluebbert2003

Tom, I would like to go with the option with the shower on the opposite wall. Also I would like to do as much of the work as possible myself, I would like the plumber to just tie into the main and I also need to have a sump pit installed. While I am cutting up the floor could I also save some money by cutting a hole and digging the trench for the sump basin?

Thanks,

Mike.

Hi Mke,

In laying out the shower drain I used a 2" 45 degree 1/8th. bend to line up with the lavatory drain. The lavatory and the shower will connect to the sewer through a 2" side inlet closet bend. The rest of the material is just standard stuff. Why do you wish a material list? The plumber will furnish the fittings as he installs the job. Your job will be to lay out the trenches and jackhammer up the floor. After that you will have to dig them out and slope the floor of the trench to the lowest point using 1/4" fall to the foot.
" While I am cutting up the floor could I also save some money by cutting a hole and digging the trench for the sump basin?"

You may dig in and recess a sump yourself to save $. What you can not do is connect the sump to your sewer. The sump drain MUST be discharged out of the house into a drainage area. Good luck, Tom

Tom,

I was going to attempt all of the plumbing other than the tie in to the main sewer pipe. That's why I asked for the materials list.

Thanks,

Mike

Quote:

Originally Posted by mluebbert2003

Tom,

I was going to attempt all of the plumbing other than the tie in to the main sewer pipe. Thats why I asked for the materials list.

Thanks,

Mike

It's not that easy Mike. The thread "Trying To Keep Customers Happy" just below yours addresses that very situation. It's one thing to do the "scutt work" like jackhammering up the cement and diggingt the trench. It's quite another to "micromanage" the materials and labor. Do you think a plumbing company will send a man out for just the labor alone? And what if you screw up on the trench? Who eats that? Unless you can look at a set of plans and have a material list form in your head it's a better idea to let more experienced personal furnish the material and labor. Cheers, Tom