I have a three-level townhouse, built ~1998, which has a rough-in half-bath on the ground level (all finished walls with lighting and exhaust fan). There are two pipes--one (1) 4" pipe in the concrete floor for the toilet; one (1) 2" pipe in the [exterior] wall for the sink. (NOTE: Opposite that wall is the outside spigot. The wall behind the toilet area is an interior wall backing to stairwell.)

The problem/questions: I don't see any water lines for either the toilet or sink. Would it be normal for the builder to have run the water lines without tapping them? Would they be behind the drywall? Is the only way to know to start cutting holes in the walls? If it's not there, what must happen?

I'm having vinyl flooring installed in that room and the adjoining foyer today. I'm really, really hoping that I wouldn't have to cut into that concrete floor for anything.

My boyfriend has his own ideas of how to do this... but, I'd like to know what an expert thinks before I pursue finishing this bathroom.

Thanks!
Katherine

Hi Katherine,

First off, I can see no reason that you should have to tear up the cement floor for any reason since the drainage's already roughed in.

The water pipes are another story. To check this out I would make a small opening in the stairwell wall behind the toilet stubup. Since the water roughs in at 6" left of center of the stubup and 5" up from the floor, make your hole 6" RIGHT of center and look for a 1/2" water pipe coming out of the cement.
If the water hasn't been roughed in you will have to cut into the hose bib supply and take the cold water off that. You have a choice of opening up the walls and concealing the pipes or leaving them exposed and painting them to match the décor. You haven't mentioned a vent. You do realize that you will have to vent the group through the roof off the lavatory don't you? When you get to the vent part get back to me and if local code allows we'll talk about a "cheater vent" that will save you the hassle of running a pipe all the way out the roof. Nowyou can tell me what your boyfriend had in mind. Regards, Tom