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thayden00 · Sep 10, 2008, 01:04 PM

I just bought a house and my wife wants to relocate the toilet next to the bathtub on her side of the master bath so that she can gain more closet space from the existing location of the toilet after changing out some walls. I understand that you can use a camera inspection to locate where the existing drain goes. Is there another way to tell where the existing drain goes??

In addition, I was wondering if I can add a toilet on my side of the bathroom adjacent to my shower opposite to my wife's side of the bathroom? My question is can I tie in 2 toilet drains into the existing drain or do I have to make a new tie-in to the sewer line?

And another question is do I have to tie the new and relocated toilet drains into the existing toilet drain or can I go directly to the sewer line if it is closer? Now there is the issue of cutting into the sewer line??

Any advice is appreciated.

ballengerb1 · Sep 10, 2008, 02:00 PM

Lets start with your description of the floor material and is there access from below. Keep in mind toilets are usually 12 " off the surface of the back wall and 15" from walls side to side.

thayden00 · Sep 10, 2008, 09:38 PM

In Houston, it's a concrete slap so there is no ability to view from below...

truck 41 · Sep 10, 2008, 10:20 PM

Hello, it sounds like there's going to be a bit of demo work involved in order to achieve your goal. Are you planning to do all the work yourself? If so then remember that some walls may be bearing walls and could become an issue with what your trying to accomplish. If your not familiar with construction/remodels then you should have a general contractor give you a visit so he can give you the best advise on how to proceed.
As far as your plumbing you should have a plumbing co. locate your sewerlines so they can also give you their best advise on what will be required to get the job done. Goodluck---Zeke---

ballengerb1 · Sep 11, 2008, 06:57 AM

I too think getting 3 bids would be a great start. Get 3 contractors to bid the job, ask lots of questions regarding how they will do the work. Then decied if you can handle the job or which contractor is going to get the bid. You'll be busting up that slab a great deal to demo the old toilet drain and to install 2 new toilets. It probably will be most of the rooms floor.

speedball1 · Sep 11, 2008, 07:08 AM

This sounds like you're planing on doing the job yourself. Correct? We can answer all your questions and concerns if you are but if you're planing on farming it out I would get three estimates as Zeke and Bob suggested. What's your pleasure? Tom

thayden00 · Sep 28, 2008, 02:57 AM

Hi guys, sorry I've been busy during the hurricane and left for offshore Gulf of Mexico... I'm about to have 2 weeks off so I could attempt to DIY. I understand that I need a plumber with a camera to see which direction the drain goes so I know where to connect my toilets. Can the new 2 toilet drains connect to the old drain? If not, then I will have to have a new connection to the main sewer? I read the best way to break up concrete is with a sledge hammer versus cutting the concrete then use the hammer. Any experience to say which is better?

speedball1 · Sep 28, 2008, 05:30 AM

Can the new 2 toilet drains connect to the old drain?

As a rule you may connect both toilets to the old drain line but to be sure we will need a drawing showing the location of the new toilets in relation to the flow.

I read the best way to break up concrete is with a sledge hammer versus cutting the concrete then use the hammer. Any experience to say which is better?

That sledge hammer is great if you want a upper body workout. You have hit upon the most labor intensive there is to break up a slab. We use a cement saw to scribe the trench and a jack hammer to break up the cement , although you may use the sledge if you feel frisky. This method gives your trench nice clean edges and doesn't bust out more cement then you want. Good luck, Tom

Milo Dolezal · Sep 28, 2008, 08:42 AM

You can rent all the tools you need from Home Depot for minimal charge. Rent a 14" hand-held gas powered concrete cutting saw and jack hammer ( the bigger jack hammer you get, the easier the concrete will break ).

With tools, you can cut channels exactly where you want them. Breaking slab with sledge hammer will produce uncontrollable cracks that may disturb areas not under construction.

If your house was built within the last 25 years, than IMPORTANT: Before you start cutting and breaking your slab - make sure the slab doesn't have post-tension cables ! You certainly don't want to cut them.

thayden00 · Sep 28, 2008, 05:56 PM

I'll be meeting with a plumber this week to get more information as to flow direction of existing toilet and the possibility of connnecting two toilets to one drain. Big thanks!! I'll keep you posted as to how things unfold.

speedball1 · Sep 30, 2008, 06:46 AM

And another question is do I have to tie the new and relocated toilet drains into the existing toilet drain or can I go directly to the sewer line if it is closer? Now there is the issue of cutting into the sewer line?? Can the new 2 toilet drains connect to the old drain? If not, then I will have to have a new connection to the main sewer?

You may go with whatever's the easiest. A drawing of what you wsh to accomplish showing the new location of the toilets along with the direction of flow would help uis a lot. Regards, Tom

thayden00 · Oct 26, 2008, 07:46 PM

Hi Guys,
I chickened out and had the plumber relocate the toilet. In fact, he removed the insulation behind the proposed location and found a 4" drain from the toilet above so all he had to do was break up a small area and dig deep to locate the main drain. Mission accomplished and the concrete was reinforced so no issue regarding the post-tension cables. Once again, big thanks to replying to my questions!!