View Full Version : Basement plumbing
zaedrus
May 22, 2008, 12:26 PM
I'm planning a full bath and laundry in my basement where no plumbing exists.
I've been looking at waste lines since they'll require more coordination (slab work).
My assumptions for sizing is:
2" for shower
2" for washer
1 1/2" for sinks
3" for toilet
Vent diameter matches waste diameter
Horizontal vent runs: min 6" above fixture flood level.
Attached is a diagram I made. Ejector pit will go beneath the stairs with the bath on one side, laundry on the other.
Just hoping to get feedback and wisdom, even if it's a request for more specifics.
massplumber2008
May 22, 2008, 02:47 PM
Hey Zaedrus:
Looking pretty good here! Here are my thoughts...
First... don't forget to drill a 3/16" hole above the pump discharge pipe (BUT BELOW THE EJECTOR COVER)...prevents air lock issues!
Second...Make sure to add a 2" check valve on the pump discharge pipe (ABOVE THE EJECTOR COVER).
Third... If you need to service that ejector pump some day you will be glad that you installed a 2" full size shutoff valve just above the check valve! This way, when need to access the pump or need to repair or replace the check valve you just need to shut the shutoff and don't have to deal with all that sewer water above the check valve falling back on you!
Fourth... the shower vent needs to be within 6 feet of the shower ptrap. It looks like may be further than 6 feet in your diagram... let me know so can discuss shower vent.
Fifth... The sink is clear... but the washer drawing does not make sense to me. The washer will need its own trap and its own vent (vent needs to be within 5 feet or less of washer trap). Here, just connect this vent back into the sink vent (must connect at least 6 inches above the flood level rim of the sink).
Sixth... Vent sizes are as follows:
Shower... 1.5" vent
Sink.........1.5" vent
Washer... 1.5" vent
Toilet.......2" vent
No need for anything larger here.
That's a start here... let me know what you think. Redraw or explain what you plan at the washer... drawn totally incorrect for plumbing
Check out the picture below... should give you idea of how to take the vent off properly and also how to connect sink and washer together.
Talk soon... MARK
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zaedrus
May 23, 2008, 07:59 AM
Mark, you're invaluable. Thank you for the tips.
The shower trap is actually about 5'-4" from the vent. I was sweating over this until I read the code book, and here in Indiana there is an amendment that allows the distance to go up to 9 feet for bath/shower only. I was surprised!
You definitely caught the weak point: the washer. I'll rework and post it. This may be an odd question; is there a max distance between the washer and the trap? I want to tuck that behind the wall behind the sink if possible.
... I'm wondering if it makes more sense to drop the laundry waste into the SIDE of the basin, opposite the bathroom drop. I know that means more slab work, but it would be one less thing to mess with if (when) I have to pull the cover to service the pump. Your thoughts?
Thanks so much for your input!
massplumber2008
May 23, 2008, 12:41 PM
Hey Z:
In my pic. At last post... you see how the ptrap goes into a box (don't need the box) and then connects to the vertical vent pipe (ignore other vertical vent next to it). That is exactly how you should pipe yours...
That horizontal pipe between the trap and the vent, in Massachusetts, can be up to 6 feet long (or less) if 2" drain pipe, but you still want it to look like the picture above.
Hope that makes sense..
Otherwise.. I need to see your new drawing to be clearer here... ;)
Get back to me.
.
zaedrus
May 23, 2008, 03:25 PM
Yep - makes sense!
The attached image shows the layout of the laundry room. The bump-out where the washer and dryer are has conc. Block walls (not shown) behind the studs.
I'd like to hide the set-up you showed behind the sink / under the stairs. That means I'd have to route the washer discharge line out and around the bump-out with several feet between the fixture and the trap. (If I have a chance I'll draw a diagram of the pipe layout.) Any thoughts on that?
My other approach would be to work the trap and vent into the stud cavity, which requires all of that piping to make several turns around the bump-out...
Thanks again, I can't tell you how grateful I am for the advice!