Venting Plumbing In Basement Bathrooms
When it is time to start thinking about renovating the basement, it is important to know what the hurdles are going to entail. It is not going to be easy whether it has to do with the low ceiling or the lack of natural lighting. This is why you will want to be intricate with your setup as the basement bathroom plumbing will be a real challenge.
Setting up a bathroom in the basement is a great idea and it will improve the value of your property. However, it is also going to require a good understanding of what is needed to be done in a below-grade environment. This will involve how the drain pipes are set up and where the sewer lines are. Getting the waste to the sewer has to be done properly or it will lead to clogging. You will want to know what works and what does not, which is why plumbing options do exist for this scenario.
Things To Consider For A Basement Bathroom
To get started with this type of project, it is best to know what the building codes say and where the current basement plumbing is set up. This is information that will make your life easier during the project.
Using Existing Electrical And Plumbing Lines
A new basement bathroom is going to require a diligent understanding of the electrical and plumbing lines. This is going to help demonstrate what will work for you when it is time to work on the bathroom in greater detail. You will want to know where the lines have to go and how to maximize them moving forward.
Lighting
The first detail to think about is the location of a basement bathroom and where it is set up. You will want to make sure there is natural light in the space. If not, this also has to be accounted for with installed lighting. The same goes for how a low ceiling impacts the setup.
Comparing Aboveground vs. Belowground Drainage Text Here
Homeowners will realize the one hurdle that exists with a basement bathroom is going to involve the drainage between the shower, sink, and toilet. It has to be perfect when managing the new drain lines to the main drain. Otherwise, clogging is a real problem you are going to face.
Depth
Drainage is what matters and you will want to get it right with the use of toilet drainage lines that are set at the right angle. They need to be steep. This is how you are going to get gravity to do the work in the setup. This means having at least a 0.5″ drop for each linear foot of the drain pipe. In some cases, you might have a deeper main home drain, which helps with the setup.
If the basement plumbing does not have this type of depth then it is time to think about remodeling the plumbing. You can also setup a toilet that will work below the level of the main drain.
Pipe Size
Along with the drainage, it’s also important to think about the pipe size. The requirement for a toilet drainage pipe is going to be at least 3 inches. If there are two toilets then it is going to be required to have a 4-inch setup. This is due to the pipes needing to be big enough for them to work as required. The solid waste that will be going through has to go through without obstruction.
Waste Pipes
Some homes are going to have a unique setup. This is going to include bathroom waste going to a sanitation line. This is not an issue as the liens are going to be set up in a way where gravity can help get rid of the solid waste.
The best place to start is by speaking to the public works department as they are going to have a good idea of the sewer lines and their depth. This can help figure out where the septic lines need to be set up and how things are going to work when it comes to a functional plumbing installation. A good contractor will help with the flow rates and also make sure the system works as it should in a basement.
Toilet Options
When it comes to adding a toilet in the basement, you are going to have a few options available to you. This is going to be set up under the main drain line, which means most options will work well in the setup.
you can go with upflushing toilets, composting toilets, or macerating toilets.
Aboveground Options
When it comes to moving wastewater to the septic lines or sewer, it’s essential to think about above-water solutions too. This is going to include an upflushing toilet, composting toilet, or a freestanding sewage-ejector system. The premise is to make sure things are installed in a way where nothing has to be cut through (i.e. basement slabs). This can cut down the expenses right away.
Basement Toilets with Ejector Pump
For those who want to make use of an ejector pump, this is going to run with a sump basin and is going to be under the bathroom. It is going to work by waiting for the basin’s level to reach a specific point before the ejector pump activates. This will pump the waste out into the main drain. This is going to need a separate vent line that will go from the base to the exterior of the property.
Installing A Basement Shower Or Tub
It is also important to think about how to install shower or bathtub in the basement. It is going to be just like any other fixture within a below-grade plumbing setup. This is going to require an intricate setup to make sure it does not damage the flooring in the basement. If not done right, it can damage everything.
Some property owners will look to integrate the shower into the upflush toilet system. This means anything can drain through the system using the same mechanism. This will help push the wastewater to a holding tank before it’s pumped out.
Building Codes
Just like any other remodeling project, there are specific building codes that need to be taken into account beforehand. There are strict regulations in place for what is permitted in a basement bathroom. This will include the presence of additional living space in the basement. Always look to get the permit as soon as possible to remain on top of things.
Final Thoughts
Installing a basement bathroom is a good idea and it will help bolster a basement living area. It is going to improve the plumbing and make sure the homeowner feels in control of how things are set up. Going with a contractor is a good idea as it will ensure the upgrades are handled with a high level of care.
For more information contact Majestic small bathroom remodel service. Call us on (727) 308-2512 and talk to the most competent team of bathroom remodeling contractors.
