I am in the process of trying to put a bathroom in my basement. When we had the house built they had roughed in the floor for drainage. There are 2 4" pipes sticking up out of the floor one has a white cap on it about 10" sticking up and the other is flush with a 4" threaded cap on it.I also no that we had covered over a pipe with a thin layer of concrete when they poured. i am having trouble finding this pipe.Could you tell what these 4" pipes are for and what the other pipe would be. I think it is for the sink.

Pipe that sick up 10" from the floor is the toilet inlet. You will cut it down flash with the finished floor and install / glue a closet ring over it.

Threaded 4" pipe is your Clean Out. You don't use this pipe. You leave it the way it is with plug installed. Its purpose is to accept snake in case of sewer line blockage.

To find the buried pipe: Take a hammer and keep tapping on the floor, in various places, across the entire bathroom. You will hear/feel when the different sound comes up. That's the location of your buried pipe. Take a large hammer and hit that spot several times. Concrete will break, exposing the pipe

So am I to assume that I donot have a shower area


Pipe that sick up 10" from the floor is the toilet inlet. You will cut it down flash with the finished floor and install / glue a closet ring over it.

Threaded 4" pipe is your Clean Out. You don't use this pipe. You leave it the way it is with plug installed. Its purpose is to accept snake in case of sewer line blockage.

To find the buried pipe: Take a hammer and keep tapping on the floor, in various places, across the entire bathroom. You will hear/feel when the different sound comes up. That's the location of your buried pipe. Take a large hammer and hit that spot several times. Concrete will break, exposing the pipe

So then I would assume there is no shower roughed in

Your shower drain is the one you have covered with "...thin layer of concrete..." You may split this pipe and run sink to it as well...

Your shower drain is the one you have covered with "...thin layer of concrete..." You may split this pipe and run sink to it as well...

Oh I believe they just covered it for code reasons.You have been very helpful.When I find this pipe what size should it be.

It should be 2" pipe - but could be 1 1/2"...

Once you open up the floor, snap a photo of it and post it. Visuals are very helpful in getting the overall idea as to what's there and how to proceed from this point on...

It should be 2" pipe - but could be 1 1/2"...

Once you open up the floor, snap a photo of it and post it. Visuals are very helpful in getting the overall idea as to what's there and how to proceed from this point on...

Ok last question If I split that pipe do I need to do any digging or is it done in a wall etc...

I don't have the lay-out of your bath but I'll try...

Also, you are not telling me where you are located. I work under UPC which requires dedicated vents for each plumbing fixtures. Most of the country doesn't. But you will need some vent regardless. See if you can use AAV vents which make venting easy.

Anyways: You will split the pipe with "Y". One pipe will continue to sink, one will become shower drain with trap. You will lead the sink pipe to the wall and up the wall. You will install San-T at about 18" high for sink drain and continue upwards with vent.

I don't have the lay-out of your bath, but...

Also, you are not telling me where you are located. I work under UPC which requires dedicated vents for each plumbing fixtures. Most of the country doesn't. But you will need some vent regardless. See if you can use AAV vents which make venting easy.

You will split the pipe with "Y". One pipe will continue to sink, one will become shower drain with trap. You will lead the sink pipe to the wall and up the wall. You will install San-T at about 18" high for sink drain and continue upwards with vent.

Sorry I am in Massachusetts. There is actually a vent pipe on the concrete wall with a threaded stub out waiting for this. I would like to be able to have a shower and a sink and this is why the questions. Thanks Bill

We have one plumber here from Mass. Once he comes in on Monday morning, he will be able to tell you exactly what your Code requires. I am based in So.California.

But in the interim: Is that pipe on the wall 4" or 2" pipe ? That pipe on the wall is probably there the future sink drain. In this case, you are all set. Just locate the under ground shower drain, connect trap and you are ready to go.

We have one plumber here from Mass. Once he comes in on Monday morning, he will be able to tell you exactly what your Code requires. I am based in So.California.

But in the interim: Is that pipe on the wall 4" or 2" pipe ? That pipe on the wall is probably there the future sink drain. In this case, you are all set. Just locate the under ground shower drain, connect trap and you are ready to go.

The pipe on the wall is 2"

We have one plumber here from Mass. Once he comes in on Monday morning, he will be able to tell you exactly what your Code requires. I am based in So.California.

But in the interim: Is that pipe on the wall 4" or 2" pipe ? That pipe on the wall is probably there the future sink drain. In this case, you are all set. Just locate the under ground shower drain, connect trap and you are ready to go.

Yes 2" pipe

We have one plumber here from Mass. Once he comes in on Monday morning, he will be able to tell you exactly what your Code requires. I am based in So.California.

But in the interim: Is that pipe on the wall 4" or 2" pipe ? That pipe on the wall is probably there the future sink drain. In this case, you are all set. Just locate the under ground shower drain, connect trap and you are ready to go.

OK I finally got through the concrete and found a 2" pipe capped at the end. As you had said I should be able to split this for a sink and shower correct?

We have one plumber here from Mass. Once he comes in on Monday morning, he will be able to tell you exactly what your Code requires. I am based in So.California.

But in the interim: Is that pipe on the wall 4" or 2" pipe ? That pipe on the wall is probably there the future sink drain. In this case, you are all set. Just locate the under ground shower drain, connect trap and you are ready to go.

I do believe the pipe on the wall is the vent, I do not hear anything running through it when water is running up stairs

Ok, Mark is not picking up. He must waiting in line so he can cast an early presidential vote. :D So let me step in:

That 2" pipe may be vent for one of your downstairs plumbing fixtures - or it may be provision for your future sink drain. I lean towards the sink hook up.

I would hook up sink into this pipe and use the uderground horizontal pipe for shower drain. It is important that shower will have trap installed.

Ok, Mark is not picking up. He must waiting in line so he can cast an early presidential vote. :D So let me step in:

That 2" pipe may be vent for one of your downstairs plumbing fixtures - or it may be provision for your future sink drain. I lean towards the sink hook up.

I would hook up sink into this pipe and use the uderground horizontal pipe for shower drain. It is important that shower will have trap installed.

Is there any downside to me using the 2" pipe on the wall for a sink drain if it is a vent