[gargamel6]

I have a fairly distinct sewer smell coming from my basement bathroom rough-in. I have been told that it could be a dry p-trap, and that pouring water down it may alleviate the problem- at least temporarily. My problem is that while I can see some of the plumbing easily, I can't find the toilet rough-in! I presume it is under the slab. Still, I can't seem to find the area that sounds "hollow." I have taken a picture to show the area, and how I believe it is laid out.
In case the pictures don't show it well:
The short pipe has a p-trap. I presume this is the tub. it is 18.5" from the poured wall.
The long pipe is 51" from the poured wall. It does not seem to have a p-trap. I am guessing this is the sink drain.
I believe that the toilet must be in the corner. It is the only thing that seems to make sense to me. It is also where the smell is coming from. seems liek it is coming from the cracks betwen the floor and foundation walls. I have tried chipping some concrete, but stopped because I am just not sure, and I want a second opinion before I demolish the basement floor!! I'm about to call a plumber, but figured I'd give it one more shot...
Also, I found the vent pipe. It isn't exactly close. Looks like they ended it just before the furnace stack. My guess is laziness. It would have required just a little bit of work to pipe around the hvac unit. So, it appears they just capped it, and left it. Where it is would make no sense for a toilet, given it isn't relatively close to the rough in area. Well, its about 8' away.
My questions are this:
Does it seem like I am on the right track?
Does anybody have any tricks to finding a rough in buried under the floor? Special tools? I tried a stud finder...not sure why, just tried it! haha
Does anyone have any typical dimensions on how far from the wall the toilet stub might be so I can better pin-point the spot I should start tearing up the floor?
Will uncovering the toilet and pouring a little water in it alleviate the problem? I will install a toilet if I need to, but I was not planning on it just yet.
Thank you in advance for your help and insight!!!
-Sean

 

[joecaption]

Should be about 12-1/2" from the stud.
Not so sure how they planed on fitting a toilet in there and have it meet code.
There's suppost to be 15" minimum on each side.

 

[jagans]

I would put the center of the toilet 13 inches from the face of the studs. 1/2 inch for drywall, 1/2 inch for whatever (tile?) give yourself some play.

Why would you tear up the floor?? Just go right over it. Decent vapor retarder. Why make work?

 

[Alan]

The best way to find it if you can't, is to find the person who plumbed it. IF they remember, this is easiest.


You can also take a small hammer around on the floor and tap around. Assuming that they didn't have the flange too low by 2 inches You will be able to tell the difference between the concrete floor, and a spot where the flange would be, and it should start to crack without much effort at all.

 

[DannyT]

if the line you say is the tub and is 2 inch with a trap below then it is roughed in for a shower but could be reduced for a tub waste.
do you know which way the sewer line runs. with that layout i doubt that the tub/shower drain is vented properly.

 

[TheEplumber]

Not sure why you have a smell- all the pipes appear to be capped.
And are you sure that's a bathroom rough in? Looks like all you have is a clean out and a shower/floor drain riser- awful close to the pressure tank. If you think a toilet is in there- allow for exterior wall framing and add about a foot and start tapping

 

[hammerlane]

Camera scope time to know for sure?

 

[gargamel6]

Thank you guys for all your help. Maybe it's not roughed in like I thought it might be. Don't ya know I completely forgot to take pictures of the basement before concrete? Figures. I have pictures of all the other pipe locations. Oh well. I think I might have it scoped. My wife said she saw somewhere you can get it done for $100. Might be worth it overall. Maybe we need to have the septic pumped. The septic tank is located a ways away and down a sort of significant hill. I'm sure the guy that comes to do that will be super excited...NOT! Time to call in the professionals, I know my limitations, and this is getting well over my head!!!
Thanks again. If anyone else thinks of anything that might be helpful...I will monitor the post!!!

 

[hammerlane]

Oh well. I think I might have it scoped. My wife said she saw somewhere you can get it done for $100.

That would be a great price