All I have is a floor drain,where do I start?

Hey Slyng:

You start by looking at where your sewer pipe from above bathroom enters into the floor... then seek out the main sewer drain line cleanout cap (usually strret side of building) or where sewer pipe exits building... then you look for any other sewer pipes entering into floor.. or for pipes in floor (such as the floor drain).

Then you got to guess a bit: Try to figure out how pipes connect underground. Always figure plumber ran pipes straight from point A (sewer main) to point B (stack to upstairs)... that should give you idea of where a pipe is that is large enough to tie a bathroom battery of piping into (the floor drain, for example may only be 2" pipe underground (may be 3"... that could be good) and that will not help you as a toilet and therefore, a bathroom, requires a 3" pipe minimum).

Once you "figure" the piping out, you want to place bathroom as close as possible to area you think the you will be connecting into. Work on layout...then it is time to open the floor up some and confirm that pipe is where you HOPE it is....shortest run preferred.

After you find sewer pipe, will need to dig down just below pipe and break open/dig a trench to where the bathroom will be going.

Also, investigate any future vents that may be in basement (2" pipe with cap in basement for future bathroom)... or begin to figure how you will get a 2" vent pipe from the basement bathroom to a 2" or larger vent at 1st floor or attic or even out the roof 2" all by itself.

Hope that gets you started... Let us know if/when you need more info... we are glad to help where we can. Also, note that if you type in waste and vent.. or just venting at search forums box at above right there is lots to learn about running waste and vent pipes. Talk soon... Mark