Hi I got an existing toilet that runs into the sewer on the ground.I had decided to turn that into a shower.I had approached a few builders/plumbers, I was told we need to include a trap to capture the sewer gases.Among the suggestions I received are

1. To dig into the concrete floor to install the trap
2. Raise the floor by 150mm to install the trap underneath, so that no digging is required.

Has anybody have any experience that you can share? Will there be any problems with plumbing compliance if the floor is raised?Is the floor raised high enough to allow installment of the trap for it to work efficiently? Is there problem to remove the shower in the future if I want to convert it back to toilet? What will the ball park figure for this job.

The shower basin is about 900 x 700mm

You have been advised correctly about your choices. I would suggest you do the choice #1: cut concrete and install trap under the slab. Cut out the 3" toilet 90, install 3"x 2" Fernco coupling and continue with 2" pipe and trap to the desired location. I would not worry about vent since there should be old toilet vent already installed. To convert it back, you would remove the Fernco coupling and reinstall new 3" toilet 90 and flange.

Thanks Milo. Your feedback is much appreciated. Just one question:why is option 2 is not your preferred choice? Thanks

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Just one question:why is option 2 is not your preferred choice? Thanks

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Because we like to do the job correctly. Platforming a tub or shower looks un professional and funky. Milo gave you the correct answer. Good luck, tom

Hi Mick...

I'm going to hop in and answer for Milo as I am pretty sure he will present the same reasons I do... :)

Most of the time, building a platform up to install a shower is more work than simply chipping out the concrete and dirt and installing the pipes underground.

In your case, you would need to dig down a bit to be able to attach to the 3" drain pipe in the floor anyway, and then to do all the work and still end up having to purchase/build the floor up and then finish it all up so it looks nice, and then after all that still need to step up to get into the shower... well, most of the time a better job is simply to bite the bullet and do it without the step.

Simply a better job and so much less work trying to finish/blend the built up floor... I promise!

Anyway, that's my opinion. Chip up the floor, install the pipes and install the shower at same height as the other fixtures... you will not regret!

SORRY TOM...posted right on top of you!

MARK

Mick, you already received answer from our Experts. Hope that will do...

( Thank you Mark & Tom... )

Thanks a lot guys for you expert advice.I will go with the option of digging into the floor. Thanks heaps again

Once you have the trap set just come back and we can help with the oan, all types.

I was also thinking of doing the same. Toilet conversion into custom stand up shower. But I have post tension cables. Would I still have clearance for this thing called a trap if we dig into concrete? No question about it I would hire a licensed plumber who knows his stuff with experience. Thanks. Can e-mail me at [email protected].

Hi Mikestan...

You'll need to reduce the size of the toilet drain from 3"-4" to 2" and then it should be no issue on the PTRAP!

However, as you noted, the post- tension slab will need to be handled by a professional as you suggested, OK?

Any more questions just let us know...

Mark

Anyway. This property is an investment for roommates. And roommates don't care about what a stand up shower looks like. As long as it works. And I also can care less if it looks funky and weird. What do you think??

Mike

You said you were going to have a licensed plumber in to do the work so I'd call a few plumbers and get estimates to do the work. It should not be a big deal to do what you propose... ;)

Mark