The plumbing lines run upward through the wall to the basement ceiling and connect to the sewer or septic tank line there. This is one of the simplest options for adding a bathroom to basement areas. Your sink and bathtub or shower can also drain into this tank.
Are my septic lines deep enough for a basement bathroom?
If you have a septic tank, you’ll need to find out if your home’s septic lines are deep enough with the information you probably have on hand. In fact, if your home was built with the intention of installing a basement bathroom, there may be plumbing stubs available already.
Can you put a bathroom in a basement?
In a basement bathroom, there must be enough of a fall to drain the toilet, sink, tub, or shower. When inspecting your basement for a new bathroom installation, your contractor will consider two main issues first.
Can I pump sewage from bathroom to septic tank?
We have a septic tank. The main waste line runs under the floor of the main floor (or ceiling of basement), then out to the septic tank. Therefore, we are gonna need some sort of system to pump up waste to the main waste line. I have just begun to do some research on the options for pumping the sewage from the bathroom up to the waste line.
What kind of toilet do you use in a basement?
Basement toilet options. Depending on your existing plumbing, you have a number of choices of commodes for your new bathroom. Pressure-assisted toilet — Although your drainage lines may technically be deep for gravity-fed plumbing, the fall still isn’t as strong in the basement as it is on upper floors.
How do you put a toilet in a basement with a septic system?
0:572:56How to Install a Basement Toilet With a Septic System : Toilet MaintenanceYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSet the toilet down putting the gasket into the flange like that that way when the water runsMoreSet the toilet down putting the gasket into the flange like that that way when the water runs through you have a nice wax seal around and the gas gets in there and the water just runs right by.
Can a bathroom be installed in a basement?
If you have chosen to add a basement bathroom, that's great. A bathroom in your basement is useful if you have guests over a lot or if you have a rental unit. Also great if your family spends a lot of time in the basement. A bathroom remodel is also a smart investment to increase the value of your home.
Do you need a special toilet for the basement?
A basement toilet is a necessary addition to your basement bathroom, but plumbing a basement toilet is a different animal. Check out these solutions for installing a new “Porcelain God” in your basement bathroom. One option for basement plumbing is below ground water and waste pipes.
Can you add a bathroom to a basement without a rough in?
No Problem! Our DIY Basement Bathroom (from a Closet!) You can put a bathroom just about anywhere. See the cluttered closet in the picture above – we just made that into a beautiful basement bathroom!
How much does it cost to rough in plumbing for a bathroom in basement?
BATHROOM ROUGH-IN PLUMBING LABOR PRICE For a registered licensed plumber that knows his stuff, this is an 8 hour 1 day project and will cost you between $320.00 to $600.00. This is based on a $40.00 to $75.00 per hour labor charge for 8 hours.
How do you put a bathroom in a basement without breaking concrete?
You can tie a bathroom tub or shower into an upflush toilet system, which eliminates the need to break into the concrete floor. The system sends the wastewater from the shower drain and toilet to a holding tank before being pumped to the main sewer line.
What kind of toilet can you put in a basement?
Gravity toilets are the most common type of toilet and still remain a good choice for basement bathrooms. They function by dropping water from the tank to the bowl and trap, forcing the waste down using gravity.
Can I put a shower in my basement?
In a home where the main drain is above the basement floor level or in a basement with no basement drain provisions, you can still add a shower without breaking any concrete. The answer is installing an up-flush drainage system. Such a setup pumps the water from the shower into your home's main drain.
Is an Upflush toilet worth it?
Upflush Toilets Are Less Expensive Than Traditional Toilets. Installing one can easily save you thousands of dollars instead of hiring a plumber for days. This makes them a fantastic choice for budget-conscious families who can't justify putting half of their life savings down the toilet – literally.
How much does it cost to add a half bathroom in the basement?
around $10-15,000A half bath installed in the basement provides a more conveniently located bathroom out of the usual foot traffic. Also, the average cost to add a basement is around $10-15,000. However, if you add the basement under an existing bathroom, you can save anywhere between $1-2,000 in plumbing expenses.
Can a toilet and sink share the same drain?
Yes, the sink can tie into the same drain. Be sure to use a trap! Personally, I would make the sink connection to the drain as close as possible to the vertical.
How do I install bathroom plumbing in my basement?
0:358:01How to Install a Basement Bathroom | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe have to allow for sheetrock at a half an inch so we wants to be twelve. And a half inches. ToMoreWe have to allow for sheetrock at a half an inch so we wants to be twelve. And a half inches. To Center so we have to break this away for a new drain right here.
What is the most important consideration when adding a bathroom to a basement?
Gravity provides a push, known as “fall” or “slope,” that moves waste down the pipes. In a basement bathroom, there must be enough of a fall to drain the toilet, sink, and tub or shower.
Why add a bathroom to a basement?
Adding a bathroom to basement areas not only makes your life a little easier, but it also boosts your property value. If you’ve turned your finished basement into a spare bedroom, game room or exercise room, a basement bathroom lets you enjoy that space without having to trudge upstairs when nature calls.
What is below ground sewage system?
Belowground sewage-ejector systems are also available. These units involve a tank and pump that sit in a hole below your basement floor. This allows your fixtures to drain into the unit using gravity. Because they require excavation, though, they’re more work to install than aboveground models.
What to do if your pipes are too small?
Pipe size — If your existing pipes are too small, your plumber will need to put in larger pipes to allow space for the basement drains.
What is pressure assisted toilet?
Instead of risking clogs with standard plumbing, choose a pressure-assisted toilet that uses air pressure to force waste through the pipes.
Do basement bathrooms have plumbing stubs?
In fact, if your home was built with the intention of installing a basement bathroom, there may be plumbing stubs available already. This makes installation considerably easier.
Can you use a plumber for a basement?
If you’re experienced in construction, though, this is something you can get done yourself. The plumbing, on the other hand, isn’t something to take chances with.
How to prevent sewer backup in basement?
If waste water drains by gravity into municipal sewer lines, install a backwater valve to prevent sewage backup in the basement. A backwater valve may require a permit, so check with your local building department and consult a plumbing contractor before you begin.
How much does a Saniplus toilet cost?
The Saniplus allows for accompanying sink and bath/shower graywater discharge as well, costs around $900, and is easily installed and serviced. Composting toilets are also viable solutions for belowgrade situations, but they are meant strictly for toilet waste.
What is a freestanding sewage system?
The freestanding or aboveground sewage-ejector system is another waste removal option that does not require cutting through concrete . These systems are typically housed within an enclosure, and the toilet (usually not included) sits on top. These systems are essentially mini septic tanks. The toilet, sink, shower/bath, and washing machine can drain into these holding tanks, which also house the pump to discharge the waste up and into the home’s drainage lines. Because sewage-ejector units sit aboveground, fixtures like toilets and showers or baths will have to be elevated about six inches to gravity-drain into the tank. The Up Jon system from Zoeller sells for around $600, but does not include a toilet. Saniflo also sells similar graywater and sewage-ejection systems designed specifically for bathtubs, showers, laundry units, and kitchen sinks.
What is an up flush toilet?
Upflushing toilets vary in look and operation, but generally include a pumping mechanism hidden within or behind the toilet. Some upflushing toilets permit additional waste-producing fixtures, like sinks and shower units, to drain into them. Upflushing toilet systems are expensive, but money is saved on installation costs.
Can you transport sewage to sewer?
Transporting bathroom or basement wastewater to sewer or septic lines can be achieved in a number of ways. Aboveground solutions include the “upflushing toilet,” freestanding sewage-ejector systems, and composting toilets. Aboveground solutions are those that do not require the homeowner or installer to cut through any existing basement slab, resulting in lower installation costs. Upflushing toilets vary in look and operation, but generally include a pumping mechanism hidden within or behind the toilet. Some upflushing toilets permit additional waste-producing fixtures, like sinks and shower units, to drain into them.
Is it expensive to up flush a toilet?
Upflushing toilet systems are expensive, but money is saved on installation costs. “Upflushing toilets sit on top of the floor, you don’t have to break the concrete, and servicing them is easy,” says Larry Sturm, a master plumber in Pennsylvania and owner of Sturm Plumbing, the Faucet Doctor plumbing supply store, and UpFlushToilet.com, an online retail store. “Tie-ins take about a half hour, and recovering accidentally flushed items is pretty easy.”
Where is the main waste line for a septic tank?
We have a septic tank. The main waste line runs under the floor of the main floor (or ceiling of basement), then out to the septic tank. Therefore, we are gonna need some sort of system to pump up waste to the main waste line.
What are the downsides of going into the floor for a tank?
The only downside of going into the floor for a tank is if you have a high water table.
Do sump pumps run during rain?
I do have a sump pump. It will run during heavy rain storms or if there is a heavy rain and snow melt simultaneously.
Is an above the floor pump a handyman job?
Using an above the floor pump borders on it being a handyman job.
What is the best Saniflo toilet?
The Sanibest Pro , which is the most heavy-duty Saniflo toilet, has a space-saving round bowl, inlets for the shower and sink — which make it an ideal toilet system for a full bathroom — and a powerful pump that can lift waste 25 feet.
How often do you need to flush the toilet?
Finicky: You must flush the toilet regularly, perhaps as often as once a day, to keep the pump primed. If you go on vacation, you'll probably have to reprime the pump before you can use the toilet. Advertisement. Image Credit: Stephen Paul for Hunker.
How does an upflush toilet work?
Unlike a gravity toilet, which empties into a 3- or 4-inch hole in the floor, an upflush toilet empties out the rear into a holding tank that contains a macerator and a pump. When the tank reaches a preset level, a sensor switches on the power, and stainless steel blades reduce the waste to a slurry that the pump forces through a 3/4- to 1-inch PVC discharge pipe tied into the sewer.
What are the drawbacks of a flushing toilet?
Its main drawbacks, according to The Best Flushing Toilet, are that it's more difficult to install, and the pump is loud. Two other manufacturers, Thetford and Lift Assure, manufacture units suitable for dual use in basements and recreational vehicles.
Can you use a toilet if the power goes out?
Electricity-dependent: Because the macerator pump runs on electricity, you can't use the toilet if the power goes out during a storm. If you don't have one already, you need to install a power outlet within reach of the toilet's power cord, but that's a lot easier than installing a new sewer.
Can you use upflush toilets in basements?
That's what upflush toilets for basements are designed to handle. Unlike a regular toilet, an upflush toilet doesn't depend on gravity, and unlike a composting, chemical or incinerating toilet, it uses plain old water and doesn't require you to handle waste remnants. Even better, you can buy a model that will handle the drainage from your sink ...
Can upflush toilets be installed in basement?
Upflush toilets can solve most of the problems of basement drainage, and installing them is a DIY project that's far easier than roughing-in and installing standard toilets. Those are two big pluses, but there's more:
Design Considerations
Drainage Considerations
- Drainage is the most critical consideration when adding a bathroom to basement spaces. Standard aboveground bathroom plumbing relies on gravity to drain away sewage and wastewater. Gravity provides a push, known as a “fall” or “slope,” that moves waste down the pipes. In a basement bathroom, there must be enough of a fall to drain the toilet, sink,...
Basement Toilet Options
- Depending on your existing plumbing, you have several choices of commodes for your new bathroom. Pressure-assisted toilets:Although your drainage lines may technically be deep enough for gravity-fed plumbing, the fall still isn’t as strong in the basement as it is on upper floors. Instead of risking clogs with standard plumbing, choose a pressure-assisted toilet that uses air …
Installing Bathtubs Or Showers
- Installing a tub or shower in your basement carries many of the same concerns as installing a toilet. You may need to break up the floor and excavate to install the plumbing. If plumbing stubs are available, you can install a shower as you would in any other room. Alternatively, you can connect your shower to your upflush toilet or sewage-ejector system.
Lighting Considerations
- Good lighting in the bathroom is a must for comfort, but underground bathrooms face certain challenges with this. If you’re locating your basement bathroom against an aboveground exterior wall, use the opportunity to bring natural light into the room. Glass-block windows are one easy way to let in daylight without compromising privacy. In addition, you can choose bright ceiling lig…