[kimbhoot]

Hello,
I've never done any plumbing before but generally very handy. I'm finishing my basement slowly and need to get on the plumbing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV43N0SKWLc&feature=youtu.be

In this video you'll see the layout and I would like to put a shower and not a tub. Need advise on the plumbing and how the lines and drains should be connected/moved. I plan to take a picture and of the existing layout and draw up what I think needs to be done and would like some guidelines on the proper way to do the plumbing.

would greatly appreciate any input on how I should get the rough in.

Thanks.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV43N0SKWLc&feature=youtu.be

 

[joecaption]

This is one job I strongly would suggest hiring a real licenced plumber to do!
Not even a friend of a friend that's done it before.
Reason being this is going to be a one shot deal. Done wrong and your going to be cutting out the concrete and doing it over.
Look though some of the older post and see some of the dozens of people having to do a do over.

 

[kimbhoot]

I would hire someone to lay the shower for me and move the drain but I was thinking if I could do some parts to help save some cost.

 

[oh'mike]

Shower drains need to be 2" pipe---

Rent an electric jack hammer and open the floor---you will need a line back to the 3" toilet main line and a 1 1/2 " vent within 5 feet of the shower drain----

I would abandon the unwanted tub line so that section of the floor doesn't have to be demolished--

 

[TheEplumber]

Shower drains need to be 2" pipe---

Rent an electric jack hammer and open the floor---you will need a line back to the 3" toilet main line and a 1 1/2 " vent within 5 feet of the shower drain----

I would abandon the unwanted tub line so that section of the floor doesn't have to be demolished--

Spot on again Mike
Make it easy on yourself and install a tub/shower unit. You're already set up for it.

 

[kimbhoot]

I've attached some images for clarification.
the dimension of my bathroom (inside measurement without drywall) is 109"x75".

the toilet stub center is 44.5" from the far wall and 12" from the back wall. If I put a 32" wide shower, that leaves 12.5" from the end of the shower to the center of the toilet. I think that's too tight. what's the recommended distance?

the current bathtub drain(center) is 9" from the far wall and 3.5" from the back wall.

So Mike, what you're suggesting is just cut and seal the existing tub drain, open a channel from the toilet to the center of the shower area. how about the vent? where does it go? Do you mind drawing your idea on the images I provided since I'm not very clear?

Thanks and much appreciate your help.

 

[kimbhoot]

In the attached pic, my understanding is that it's the drain for the sink. does that double as the vent? do I need vent for both toilet and shower?

 

[TheEplumber]

Can you cut the cap off the tub/shower riser and look for standing water at it's base? It appears to be a 2" pipe- that leads me to believe it's a shower drain and not a tub, which would be 1.5". If there is water or you pour a gallon of water down the pipe and it stays there then its a ptrap for a shower. That will help you.

 

[kimbhoot]

Can you cut the cap off the tub/shower riser and look for standing water at it's base? It appears to be a 2" pipe- that leads me to believe it's a shower drain and not a tub, which would be 1.5". If there is water or you pour a gallon of water down the pipe and it stays there then its a ptrap for a shower. That will help you.

Will do that in the morning and get back with the result.

 

[kimbhoot]

yes, the pipe is 2".

 

[kimbhoot]

okay. poured a big bucket of water and it all went in. If I look down with a flash light, looks like it turns diagonally and not parallel to any of the two walls! so just bust the concrete out and move it? do I need to move the toilet as well?

 

[kimbhoot]

have contacted a concrete company to cut the concrete so I can do the plumbing work. any words of advise?

 

[TheEplumber]

You need to determine the drain location of your shower unit. This is available from the supplier. Make the saw cuts at least as wide as a shovel so you can dig the trench. Cut from the 2" to about 6" beyond the shower drain location.
The center of the toilet stub should be a minimum 15" from the edge of the shower and 12.5" from center to face of framing(12" from finished drywall) Check this while the cutter is available.
I'm assuming the venting is correct as the ground work was inspected when the house was built.

 

[kimbhoot]

so I had a group come and break my concrete floor and move the drains. He moved both the drains and was going to come back and fill up the floor with concrete, I was curious to make sure things are done right so I moved the gravel and saw it was wet in this one area. further digging, I saw water (see attached photo).

I tried to dry the water by soaking it and running a fan overnight. It was dry in the morning when I left for work but when I came home, it had the same amount of water (the amount you see in the pic).

I was concerned that there was a leak, had the guy come over and he said it's ground water and there isn't any leak! he and I both put buckets of water down the pipe but the level didn't increase or didn't increase enough for me to notice. Please advise what you think this issue is. He suggests that we should pour concrete back in and fill it up but I would like to watch few more days to make sure the level isn't rising. I dug another small area about 18" away from this to see if that area gets wet but it's dry.

I'm confused. please help.

 

[jagans]

This joint is very poorly made. Street 45?

 

[oh'mike]

What is that pipe sticking up?


I hope that is not your new shower drain---If so--it is missing the P-trap

 

[kimbhoot]

It is very poorly made. Even for someone like me who never did any plumbing thought it was POORLY done. after joining, he pushed that inside hard and put a stake so he can be close to the wall (toilet drain is 13.5" from framing). He moved the drain and he cut the old pile and used a chisel inside to remove the old joint and says it's common practice among plumbers!! is that true?

 

[TheEplumber]

The pipes you show are drainage pipes- no water in them except when being used- which they are not- you were gone for the day- no usage in the house. Then you have a separate water line leak or ground water.

 

[kimbhoot]

What is that pipe sticking up?


I hope that is not your new shower drain---If so--it is missing the P-trap

it's the toilet drain. the shower drain has a p-trap

 

[kimbhoot]

The pipes you show are drainage pipes- no water in them except when being used- which they are not- you were gone for the day- no usage in the house. Then you have a separate water line leak or ground water.

not completely true. I was gone but I had wife n kids at home used bathroom and shower upstairs. the main stack is to the right of this joint (about 3'). his logic was, water won't flow back in this upward direction. I would like to watch this for another day and if the water level stays the same, I plan to fill this back up.

thoughts?