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View Full Version : Can you tell what these drains are?


johnsoneden
Sep 29, 2008, 09:13 PM
We just bought a new house and there is a studded out basement with these drains in the bathroom. I have no idea why they are where they are. It looks like a toilet, sink and tub drain but they have them clustered together. When dealing with a slab, how do you move them? Can you just cap them off at floor level and put in new ones? Any advice or help would be great.

Eden

http://www.jeffandeden.com/drains.JPG

johnsoneden
Sep 29, 2008, 09:38 PM
I think I figured out how to attach the file I need but I still cannot figure out how to edit my post... fun!

Flying Blue Eagle
Sep 29, 2008, 10:28 PM
Johnsoneden - OK you say that it is a new house, Is it new to you al or was it just built?? If it is a new house then you can find out who built it and also who the plumber was by going down to city hall or court house ( where you go and get the building permits at, they weill be a ble to tell you what you want to know. The larger pipe looks like a 3 " drain for a toilet, the other 2 look like maybe 1 1/2 ' drains or a 3/4 pipe for water. Just looking at the picture I can tell you that even the 3" pipe weould be wrong for a comode to set on right. THe contractor is responsible for the house for 1 year in most places, they can tell you down at the building permit office if it is that way in your local. IT SURE ISN'T going to work the way it is ,so youal will have to make up your mind to ( IF ) you want a bathroom down in the basement or not , IF YOU Don't THEN HAVE THE PLUMBER CUT OFF THE PIPES AND PUT A RAG OR STUFF SOME PAPER DOWN IN THE HOLE OF EACH ONE AND LEAVE ABOUT A 2" DOWN WITH THE STUFFING SO YOU CAN POUR SOME SAKECRETE DOWN IN THEM TO CAP THEM OFF , NOW THE CHEAPEST WAY TO HAVE THE BATHROOM IS TO BNUYILD A FLOOR ABOVE THE CONCRETE FLOOR TO WHERE YOU CAN USE THE PIPE ALREADY THERE. A GOOD PLUMBER OR CARPENTER WILL KNOW HOW TO BUILD IT UP . I HOPE THAT NEITHER ONE OF YOU ARE TALL, IF SO WATCH FOR LOW FLYING CEILINGS :: hOPE THAT I HAVE HELPED YOU OUT, iF YOU NEED ANY MORE JUST COME BACK ONTO THE SITE AND POST. GOOD lUCK AND god bless;; F.B.E.

massplumber2008
Sep 30, 2008, 03:42 PM
Johnsoneden...

It looks to me like the stud wall got built in the wrong place, but can't be totally sure.

Can you post a couple more pics. Of the bathroom at different angles and get some light in there?

Is that roughed up area of the floor a tub dapout? In other words, if you dig this box out (should just be a skimming of concrete under rubble) is there a trap underground? (remove cap and pour some water in drain. If shine flashlight in after and water is present then drain is trapped and set up for a tub).


Then I want you to do the following:

Measure from the back wall to the center of the 3" pipe with 45 degree fittings and then to the center of the smaller pipe with yellow cap. They should be about the same measure if I am seeing this right.

Then pretend to place a 2"x4" on floor so that these pipes end up in wall (ignore the offset for now)...then I want you to measure from the front of the imaginary 2" x 4" wall and let me know what it measures to center of the 3" pipe... ok?

Let me know all you can... may still pull something out that works here!

PS... do not cap sewer lines with rags and cement as suggested by FBE (sorry FBE). If sewer were to back up water would surely leak back through and cause issues for you later. Always chop down to below the pipe and cap using appropriate pressure cap!

I also think cheapest way to fix this IF IT NEEDS FIXING is to just chop out some concrete and repipe this. I said cheapest by the way...not easiest! :)

Let me know what you can.

MARK