Ask Me Help Desk - Basement Rough In Questions

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Hi

I have two questions. I tried searching the forum but couldn't find any answers to these questions, so here goes...

#1. Picture 1 below is my shower/tub rough in. I expected to see a drain pipe with a capped end that I could easily tap into. Instead, all I see is a ribbed black tube in a white sleeve that runs in one end and out the other. What is this and how can use it as a drain?

#2. I am just looking for some clarification on what is what in picture 2. #1 I thought was the shower drain vent, #2 is the main stack, #3 I thought was a sink drain and wet vent for the toilet, #4 is the toilet drain, and #5 is the shower drain. Does that sound accurate? The vent pipe comes down from the ceiling directly above pipe #3.

Thank you so much for your help.

Hi again.

After reading through some more posts, I am wondering if pipe #1 is actually a shower drain. If so, how would I connect it to the shower base since it is only a couple inches away from both walls? Also, how is it vented? And I still can't figure out what is inside my 12x12 square. Any help is greatly appreciated!

That black ribbed pipe is the perimeter drain for ground water,and it goes to a sump pump or a daylight drain to the street or yard.
Maybe the tub drain is on the other end?That pipe at #1 could be the tub vent.

Dig around the tub box area you may find it .

Normally there would be a 2 inch pipe coming into the tubout box and there you would put a trap for the tub/shower.

Hope this helped .Good Luck

I dug in the hole some more and there is definitely no pipe. I went about 18 inches deep and several inches around all the sides. Nothing but that black ribbed pipe in there. So does that mean concrete has to be busted? Or could that #1 pipe in the picture possibly be for a shower drain? I don't need a tub, a shower would be fine. Hmm I am confused...

Yes #2 pipe could be tub drain. However, you will have to bust some concrete anyway - and still would have to put tub all the way to the corner.

Bust the concrete. It is not such a big deal - and you will be able to put your shower where you want...

The only one thing bugs me: why would the original plumber leave 12x12 void in the slab if there is no pipe. Did you try to dig few inches to the side - towards the corner with all the plumbing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bean0404

I dug in the hole some more and there is definitely no pipe. I went about 18 inches deep and several inches around all the sides. Nothing but that black ribbed pipe in there. So does that mean concrete has to be busted? Or could that #1 pipe in the picture possibly be for a shower drain? I don't need a tub, a shower would be fine. Hmm I am confused...

Is the pipe that is #1 a 2inch pipe or 1-1/2 ?

If it is 1-1/2 pvc it is a vent and the drain if it is there would be under the concrete and it needs to be a 2 inch drain.

You would have to cut the concrete to find it and then you would be able to put a trap below the concrete.

There is another option to build up the shower about 10 inches or less to install the 2 inch drain for the shower above the concrete with out busting it up.

Was it roughed in for a tub or for a shower?

You will need to put the drain for the shower at least 18 inches from the finish wall where you want the shower.Most showers are 36 x 36 and the drains are normally centered.

Do you have a door big enough to get a 36 inch shower in there?

If not you may need a 2 piece or 3 piece shower.

Actually, Kohler makes Cast Iron shower base that fits dimension of regular tub. It measures 31.5" x 60" with 4" curb. It can be ordered as left or right. It is designed for situations where tub is being removed in favor of shower.

Thank you to everyone who has answered. I tripple checked, and my tub hole has no pipe unless it is more than 2 feet deep or 1 foot off to the side. I also just found out that I have a neighbor who is a plumber. How's that for luck? So he is going to come over this weekend and take a peek. I'll let you know what we discover.

Additional thought: it is possible that previous builder roughed it in so the new tub waste water is used for irrigation (gray water). Then you could utilize that corrugated pipe as a drain. Are you located in rural area ?