Hi All,

New to the plumbing stuff, I'm trying to learn if we can tie in our new tub into the existing plumbing in our basement bathroom. Toilet and sink are already set. We have built a structure above the slab for the tub as a drop in (drain comes over just below where the sink joins.). Can we tie in the drain to the existing one for the sink and toilet? Concerned about the venting issue. Is it feasible to bring the tub drain in above where the others drain? From what I have been reading, the tub will need to be vented, if we just cut into where the sink runs, does this accomplish what needs to be done? I apologize for being utterly clueless, this all seemed simple when the guys from Home Depot explained it. Any help is greatly appreciated, very willing to elaborate if my scenario is unclear.

Thanks!

Is the sink and toilet vented now? How close is the vent to the tub?

Hi All,

New to the plumbing stuff, I'm trying to learn if we can tie in our new tub into the existing plumbing in our basement bathroom. Toilet and sink are already set. We have built a structure above the slab for the tub as a drop in (drain comes over just below where the sink joins.). Can we tie in the drain to the existing one for the sink and toilet? Concerned about the venting issue. Is it feasible to bring the tub drain in above where the others drain? From what I have been reading, the tub will need to be vented, if we just cut into where the sink runs, does this accomplish what needs to be done? I apologize for being utterly clueless, this all seemed simple when the guys from Home Depot explained it. Any help is greatly appreciated, very willing to elaborate if my scenario is unclear.

Thanks!


If I understand your question correctly you have platformed the tub and want to know if you can connect the tub trap back above the floor to the vertical drain of the lavatory. Am I correct?
The answer is, yes you can and the good news is that it will be vented by the lavatory vent. The lavatory IS vented isn't it? However if you're planing on installing a 90 on the trap to take it under the floor then you will be building a "S" trap. "S" traps are outlawed by all plumbing codes.
More questions? I'll be here all day. Tom

Hi Tom,

So glad to hear from you! You were correct on the first, the plan is to connect above the floor. As for venting, there are two pipes up from the floor right next to each other, one I can tell is the stack, it has the clean out. The other is the pipe that the lavatory is on, I assume (I know, I know!)that both the lavatory and toilet are connected to this one (I can only see where the lavatory connects) and my assumption (there I go again!) that this would be vented. That is another question, from looking at the piping, how can I tell for sure that it is? I can follow both pipes into the area above the garage, but can not see much as it is finished beyond that. I'm hoping this makes sense!

Lotta, the tub is about 5 feet from where we are connecting.

Thanks again!

OK MR. Beck,

From what you tell me both pipes are vented up in the attic which would make it your choice as to what one you connect the tub trap to. On a 2" drain 5' is a acceptable distance from trap to vent. Good luck Tom

This wasn't clear before, we have a split level so the pipes are going up through another finished level where I can't see them. In the attic I can only see one pipe, although it is extremely hard to access or see. Would the basement lavatory likely link up with the stack at some other place in the house? This pipe can't just go up in to the house and into nothingness, right? There is only one pipe through the roof in the area of these fixtures.
Thanks Tom! I'll keep you posted, I'm sure I'll be back with something else before it's all done!

" Would the basement lavatory likely link up with the stack at some other place in the house? This pipe can't just go up in to the house and into nothingness, right?"

Right! Just tie the tub trap into the lavatory drain and you'll be fine. You'll be sharing the same drain and vent as the lavatory.
Now go out and have a happy new year. Tom