[messmaker]

I am preparing to install a bathroom (after I design it and get the permit) in our basement. The house was built in '64 so the lines are old and don't look like anything I would expect in a contemporary basement.
On one side of a non-load-bearing wall is the 1-1/2 cast iron/galv. Pipe. This is "T-ed" above the washer with the utility sink and vents upward and discharges near the utility sink as well. I'm assuming the "T" on this *16in. A.F.F. is set up for the bathroom sink discharge..

On the other side of the wall is a 3"in metal cap stamped with "3 LBS". I'm assuming this is the toilet rough-in though I don't know what I'm supposed to do to get to the pipe... in other words, how do I remove the cap without destroying the pipe?

The big question comes from what I'm assuming is the rough-in for the shower/tub. The floor slopes down to the 7in metal ring beginning at a 22in diameter and down about 3 or 4in. This is the piece that has me all sorts of confused as it has 2 apparent 10-24 or 1/4-20 screw holes for mounting something. It has a 1-1/2in threaded inlet/line -input (shown with the plastic plug screwed in) and some sort of center thing where a ceramic or ancient rubber plug sits wedged into this pipe with 2 notches at the top. I would assume this whole area is for the shower unless I'm looking at it wrong and it somehow would be the toilet?

Any ideas as to what these are and more importantly what I need to do to prepare them to install bathroom fixtures would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[massplumber2008]

OK.. start with the 3lb plug... how far off finished wall to center of that plug? I am confident that that is the toilet. Here with a hammer and cold chisel, chip away at the perimeter of the plug... lightly... until you begin to expose the edge of the cast iron pipe under there.

Once pipe is exposed you can try this: set up a drill with a drill bit that is slightly smaller than the width of the lead ring you should see surrounding the plug... then drill down through the lead all around the plug... keep your holes tight together (Lead should only be about 1" deep or so and then oakum below that). Then loosen the oakum around plug using screwdriver. Work the plug in this manner until you can rock the plug back and forth and then try to pull up and out....MAY EVEN NEED TO DRILL SERIES OF HOLES IN PLUG AND PUNCH THROUGH WITH A HAMMER SO YOU CAN GET A TOOL IN WITH LEVERAGE ENOUGH TO PULL THE PLUG UP AND OUT...and yes, I said a hammer!! Then you should be able to install a new leaded flange over the pipe (will probably need to chisel more concrete away to do this...or purchase a tapered rubber seal type flange...sold at home supply store).

They plugged that drain so may be other stuff in drain after you remove plug...just use a shop vac. and clear the line...should be OK after good vacuum.

The other drain with screws in it is a floor drain...an old floor drain...they may have used it for a shower...you cannot!! A shower drain needs to be 2" pipe with an 1.5" vent.....BUT if installing a tub/shower you may be able to cut away old floor drain and use the pipe that is present to hook up to a tub (looks like it is vented back in that closet...also looks like toilet is vented).

The vents look good...BUT you will still need to check to see if plumbing inspector will allow this stuff to stay.

HERE is MY RECOMMENDATION at this point. CALL YOUR LOCAL PLUMBING INSPECTOR AND ASK HIM TO COME DOWN AND GIVE A QUICK LOOK AT THE PIPES IN YOUR FLOOR...SEE IF THEY WILL WORK.

I am not sure if you guys are allowed to do your own plumbing at your own house...so ask inspector...if nothing else just ask if ok to pop by and just give his opinion as to whether he will accept a 1.5 inch vent for the toilet...(toilets require 2" vent)

And that tee fitting at about 16" could in fact be for the lavatory (a wetted vent), but that is usually only if the pipe is 2" coming out of ground (as yours is... just reduces to 1.5") and IF it continues full size 2" to vent stack.

SO... you have some questions to ask a person in your area.

Good luck with this and keep us posted on progress. If my answer helped please RATE THE ANSWER by clicking on button below. Thank you.