[jayzlookz]

Hello. I was hoping to get some advice and/or help with my basment bathroom install. I was not sure if I should do it myself or pay someone to do the job. I was quoted $1650 for all my water lines ran (sink, tub, toilet), new sump pump with alarm, shower drain centered, and utility sink line ran. If I am advised to do it myself I guess I need to know where to begin. I would assume start with tapping into the water lines but I want to make sure. I have attached a pic to show the layout. Thanks

 

[Beepster]

The first question I think would be "Do you have the skills required to 'tap into the water line'?" If you have copper, do you know how to sweat copper? If you have pex, do you know how to run and crimp pex?

If you do not know what you are doing, you may end up doing more damage than the quote.

Now, to stop sounding like your wife, we all were there (newbs) at one time or another. This site has many experts that can help you along. It looks like you have a DWV mostly roughed in. What do you have for water supply and how far away are they?

B

 

[jagans]

Thats not too bad considering they have to jack hammer the floor to move the tub drain to a shower drain. Two guys, two days min, plus parts, new sump pump, truck, tools. No thats not bad at all. IMO.

 

[DidIDoThat]

That quote of $1650 is a great deal !
For that price I would sit on a bucket and drink beer.
I'll bet he has close to $600 in material.

 

[jayzlookz]

Its all PEX tubing so I figured I can't really mess that up too bad. I figured just some t-connectors and run the lines to where I need them. I am pretty handy but I have never touched plumbing before so I am a little hesitant until I saw that my neighbor did his own work. He said it wasn't that hard since everything is already plumbed.
On the other hand everyone including the people that have responded to this post have said it's a good price and I can avoid any headaches and get it done right the first time.

 

[ben's plumbing]

your commode pipe looks to be to close to wall....12" from wall to center of pipe...ben sr

 

[jayzlookz]

your commode pipe looks to be to close to wall....12" from wall to center of pipe...ben sr

I measured this morning and it's 12.5" from the wall. The picture angle makes it look a little closer I guess. I am looking at the layout and for some reason it just appears to be pretty easy. I know that it's most likely hard but I guess I am gonna give it a try. I apologize in advance for the million questions I will probably have. So to begin.............

1. I measured my tubes and the main blue line is 3" with 2" lines split off for the house. Do I split off the main line or can I T-connect into one of the 2" lines running to the sink upstairs?

2. I see the drain for the tub, toilet, and sink. I am assuming the other pipe is my vent since it runs to the other side where the sump pump is supposed to go. Where do I run this line and is it the vent?

3. How are the lines supposed to be ran from the ceiling down the wall? Are there brackets that I use to attach it to the studs? Does anyone have a pic of what it should look like?

4. Can I run the cold water to my sink and toilet from the same line or do I need 2 seperate lines?

 

[jagans]

Hire the guy for 1650. You really dont know anything from your posts, and you will probably will end up spending a lot of money and having to bring him back anyway for more money to fix what you messed up.

Not trying to insult you, you might be very good at what you do.

At a minimum, go to the library and learn the theory first.

 

[mae-ling]

Get a good book on plumbing

 

[oh'mike]

This is a DIY site--and there are plenty of people to help---

The folks that suggested you hire out the work are simply looking out for your best interests--

That price is not bad---However--if you do choose to do the plumbing--come and ask---Mike---

 

[jayzlookz]

I was going to get a book but I looked at some of the plumbing books at Home Depot and Lowes and they really didn't have much information for basement bathroom installs but it did talk about theory alot. The reason I was asking some of the questions is because I looked at my neighbors setup and it was different from some of the things I read in the books. I had no idea how to do drywall and electrical but people walked me through to a good inspection on other forums.
I will take some of your guys advice and pay since it seems like a good deal. Thanks.

 

[TheEplumber]

I measured this morning and it's 12.5" from the wall. The picture angle makes it look a little closer I guess. I am looking at the layout and for some reason it just appears to be pretty easy. I know that it's most likely hard but I guess I am gonna give it a try. I apologize in advance for the million questions I will probably have. So to begin.............

1. I measured my tubes and the main blue line is 3" with 2" lines split off for the house. Do I split off the main line or can I T-connect into one of the 2" lines running to the sink upstairs?

2. I see the drain for the tub, toilet, and sink. I am assuming the other pipe is my vent since it runs to the other side where the sump pump is supposed to go. Where do I run this line and is it the vent?

3. How are the lines supposed to be ran from the ceiling down the wall? Are there brackets that I use to attach it to the studs? Does anyone have a pic of what it should look like?

4. Can I run the cold water to my sink and toilet from the same line or do I need 2 seperate lines?

Here's some answers for ya-
1. I assume you meant 3/4" & 1/2" Connect to the 3/4"

2. I can't totally answer this. Can you show a picture of the sump area? When you're done vent piping the plumbing wall, the tub and lav vents will tie into the high 2" pipe in the picture(follow the hole in the stud)That 2" either goes to the upstairs venting or over to the sump- just a guess.

3. The pex runs across the ceiling, down the studs to their proper stub out location. Pex needs to be supported every 32".There are several fastening systems. These guys make bracket for just about everything- http://www.holdrite.com/ Check the box store for similar products

4. As a general rule- assuming good house pressure you can put the toilet and lav on a 1/2" line

 

[tylernt]

I was going to get a book but I looked at some of the plumbing books at Home Depot and Lowes and they really didn't have much information for basement bathroom installs but it did talk about theory alot.

I have this same complaint about books. Thing is, there are so many individual situations that to cover all the variations you'd need an 80lb book that cost $100.

I'm confused by your first post though -- you mention a tub, then mention centering a shower pan. Is this bathroom going to have both a tub AND a shower? Seems a little unusual, yeah I know lots of people have both a tub and a shower in their master bath, but for a basement bath that would surprise me a little.

 

[jagans]

The drain for a tub is near the framed wall. The drain for a shower would be centered on the pan, which can vary in size.

No book is going to cover every single situation, you have to get the theory.

 

[jayzlookz]

Here's some answers for ya-
1. I assume you meant 3/4" & 1/2" Connect to the 3/4"

2. I can't totally answer this. Can you show a picture of the sump area? When you're done vent piping the plumbing wall, the tub and lav vents will tie into the high 2" pipe in the picture(follow the hole in the stud)That 2" either goes to the upstairs venting or over to the sump- just a guess.

3. The pex runs across the ceiling, down the studs to their proper stub out location. Pex needs to be supported every 32".There are several fastening systems. These guys make bracket for just about everything- http://www.holdrite.com/ Check the box store for similar products

4. As a general rule- assuming good house pressure you can put the toilet and lav on a 1/2" line

Tylernt, I totally agree with you about the books. The people at the home improvement stores aren’t the greatest of help either. Sorry, I meant just a shower pan, no tub.
Eplumber, thanks for the response. Sorry to everyone else. I probably used improper plumber jargon, didn't put everything into the right words, and just a plain newbie at this.

1. I just took a tape measure and wrapped it around the tube for the size this morning. Instead I should have compared hoses and wrote down the correct sizes from Home Depot before asking on the forum. I will get the correct hose size tonight/weekend. But I do know now it’s the bigger hose that I need tying into. Thanks.

2. That 2” pipe in the picture runs to the sump pump area but I am not sure if it also ties to the upstairs vent above me. I will post a pic tonightof the sump pump area and check. If the 2” pipe only runs from the bathroom to the sump pump area, where do I vent it then? I assume I gotta try and tap into the vent from the bathroom above me on the 1st floor. After doing more research at work I have a better understanding of vents. (Gotta love the military in garrison, sham time, LOL.)


3. Thanks, got it.


4. Got it.