[Steve_KC]

I am trying to figure out how in the world to frame my basement bathroom. There is a backwater valve that would end up right in the middle of the room. I know that code requires access to this valve and most basement rough ins have this valve much closer to the sump pump or other mechanical area, not in the middle of the bathroom.

Any ideas for how I would be able to finish this bathroom with the BWV in the middle of the room?

What am I missing or am I looking at this all wrong?

Thanks for any help or answers you can provide!

 

[Bondo]

Any ideas for how I would be able to finish this bathroom with the BWV in the middle of the room?

Ayuh,.... WHY is it in the middle of the room,....

Seems the answers are, move the valve, or move the room,....

 

[Steve_KC]

Ayuh,.... WHY is it in the middle of the room,....

Seems the answers are, move the valve, or move the room,....

Thanks for the quick reply! That is what I was afraid of. Are there any major concerns to jackhammer the floor to move the BWV 4-5 feet left of the current location? I assumed this valve is aligned to go straight out of house to city lines, so wasnt sure if injecting new bends or turns into the line creates any problems.

 

[Steve_KC]

Here are a few pics/diagrams of the basement and where the pipes are located.

 

[Steve_KC]

Sorry - Here are the pics...

 

[Bondo]

I assumed this valve is aligned to go straight out of house to city lines,

Ayuh,.... Yer drawin's don't say where the sanitary pipe exits the buildin',.....

The sump pump, is just a ground water trap, Right,..??

This toilet is goin' to drain into the sewer system, without a lift pump, Right,..??

 

[Steve_KC]

Ayuh,.... Yer drawin's don't say where the sanitary pipe exits the buildin',.....

I am not 100% sure where they exit. I am guessing it would either be on the right, near the floor drain or left of the sump pump.

The sump pump, is just a ground water trap, Right,..??

Correct!

This toilet is goin' to drain into the sewer system, without a lift pump, Right,..??

Right!

 

[Bondo]

I am not 100% sure where they exit. I am guessing it would either be on the right, near the floor drain or left of the sump pump.

Ayuh,..... Ya gotta figure out exactly What's there now, where it is, 'n where it goes,....

Otherwise, how ya gonna hook up a toilet, without knowin' where it's goin',..??

Mappin' out the existin' system, should lead ya to where the pipes are, 'n where they go,...
Ya might have to pop a cap here, 'n there to see which direction, or not,...
But ya gotta know where stuffs at, Before ya begin,.....

 

[Steve_KC]

Otherwise, how ya gonna hook up a toilet, without knowin' where it's goin',..??

The plumbing rough in was all done when the house was built to code. If I dropped a toilet on there now, I think it is a safe assumption it would drain properly, but maybe I am missing something.

Ya might have to pop a cap here, 'n there to see which direction, or not,...But ya gotta know where stuffs at, Before ya begin,.....

I guess I am trying to figure out if I can simply extend the existing plumbing over 5 feet in the current configuration. Maybe what you are telling me though is that it is not that simple... I was thinking that I would leave everything, as is... just move the BWV 5 feet over and tie back into the same connection it was previously tied to...?

 

[Bondo]

just move the BWV 5 feet over and tie back into the same connection it was previously tied to...?

Ayuh,.... I've never had to deal with a back up valve, but I believe it could be installed anywhere near the exit of the system,....

IF the pipe is goin' where ya want the valve, I don't see why it wouldn't work,....

I donno why they'd have put it in the middle of the floor in the 1st place though either,....

 

[TheEplumber]

The UPC plumbing code wants the valve on the basement part of the system. This means it may not be possible to move it.
You need to determine where the line is that serves the main floor. Look for an exterior clean out. This will tell you where the drain enters.

The rule I mentioned above may or may not apply per IPC. Do you know which code you use?

 

[Ghostmaker]

Some for IPC the backwater valve is only for basement stuff nothing above that level can pass through it if it was installed correctly and that is a big IF.

 

[Ghostmaker]

A few questions to answer

Are you on public sewer?

If so which side is the front of the house?

Are you on public water

Where does it enter the house?

Start looking in the water area for your main sewer cleanout.

 

[Ghostmaker]

Looks like your toilet should be facing the back water valve when installed the lav to its right. You only need 24 inches in front of the toilet to the wall. It should work...

A round toilet is 16 inches from center of the hole to the front.

 

[Steve_KC]

Are you on public sewer?

Yes

If so which side is the front of the house?

Front of the house is the bottom center of the drawing above.

Are you on public water

Yes

Where does it enter the house?

The main water line enters the house about 8 feet to the right of the sump pump through the wall on the bottom of the diagram.

 

[Steve_KC]

Looks like your toilet should be facing the back water valve when installed the lav to its right. You only need 24 inches in front of the toilet to the wall. It should work...

I see what you are saying, but then the BWV would be out in the middle of the room still... right (not the bathroom, but outside the bathroom)? I am lost with how the plumber or designer was intending this bathroom to be finished. Even if I put a wall right in front of the toilet and placed the BWV in some sort of little closet (unfinished inside) with a door, there is still a really weird configuration, as there would be a finished pole just right outside the bathroom door.

Or are you saying to build the wall right in front of the toilet, but keep the rest of the bathroom built out to the pole, like the shaded area in the diagram?

Appreciate your thoughts!

 

[Ghostmaker]

All you need by code is 2 foot clearance from the porcelain in front of that toilet. Your option is if that will not work is move the toilet to a better position. You can buy toilets that rough in at 10, 12, or 14 to center off the back wall. So if you move the toilet drain you may clear the 24 inch in front of the installed bowel. I would suggest you purchase the toilet and just set the bowel on the drain so you can accurately determine your needs.

 

[plumberinlaw]

If the cover of the BW Valve is flush with the floor why move it