I dont think that it is too god an idea to put a bathroom lower than your septic system IMHO. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, No?
plumbing in basement with concrete
Hey all, I am trying to get my head around the broad concepts of what is necessary to install a bathroom in a basement with a concrete floor. I have a septic system with a lift pump so I think that is also a major consideration. The final drain line that goes out to the septic is about 2 feet off the ground in the basement.
From what I can tell, I need:
1) Jackhammer up the floor to install a toilet flange and pipe that leads to an enclosed basin with a pump to pump the 'stuff' up to the drain line, and connect it to the drain line. I'll need easy access to that basin to maintain the pump. Once that's done, mix new concrete and fill everything back in.
2) I'll need a plumbing vent that runs all the way up to the roof.
3) I'll need to bring down hot and cold water to the area. The sink will be above the drain line that goes to the septic, it won't need a pump, it just needs to be connected to the drain line?
4) If a shower were installed, can it use the same basin and pump that the toilet would use? Obviously, more jackhammer etc here.
5) All of the normal plumbing, drywall, flooring, finishing stuff that any other bathroom would need.
Any advice or corrections you have would be much appreciated.
From what I can tell, I need:
1) Jackhammer up the floor to install a toilet flange and pipe that leads to an enclosed basin with a pump to pump the 'stuff' up to the drain line, and connect it to the drain line. I'll need easy access to that basin to maintain the pump. Once that's done, mix new concrete and fill everything back in.
2) I'll need a plumbing vent that runs all the way up to the roof.
3) I'll need to bring down hot and cold water to the area. The sink will be above the drain line that goes to the septic, it won't need a pump, it just needs to be connected to the drain line?
4) If a shower were installed, can it use the same basin and pump that the toilet would use? Obviously, more jackhammer etc here.
5) All of the normal plumbing, drywall, flooring, finishing stuff that any other bathroom would need.
Any advice or corrections you have would be much appreciated.
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
Proper vention of all drainage pipes is necessary as are check valves in the appropriate places. - Just general concerns based on the sketchy information.
Dick
Dick
No- isolate it with a check valve.I dont think that it is too god an idea to put a bathroom lower than your septic system IMHO. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, No?
The pump will need to be a "grinder" for the solids and properly sized for the vertical lift. It will need a check valve, union, ball valve and vent- as will any fixture you install.
You're pretty much on track with your list
I don't have any advice to add here, but I'm interested in what you find out. I am planning out a basement remodel as well and would like to add a full bath and a wet bar, if it's feasible to do so. My plumbing is similar to yours - in that my sewage (public sewer) leaves the house 3-4 feet above the concrete basement floor. I have no problem breaking up the floor and digging holes, but I struggle with what I'll need to pump the mess up to the sewer lines. Also, if I install a shower in addition to a toilet we're talking about a lot more volume. Please try to update here with what you find out and I'll try to do the same.
For the plumbing vent, can you not tie into the existing vent? Seems to me that it would be a disaster to need to run an entirely new vent.
For the plumbing vent, can you not tie into the existing vent? Seems to me that it would be a disaster to need to run an entirely new vent.
If I were you, I'd consider an upflush toilet. Beats jackhammering up the floor.
I dont think that it is too god an idea to put a bathroom lower than your septic system IMHO. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, No?
If I was either of you... I'd move.I don't have any advice to add here, but I'm interested in what you find out. I am planning out a basement remodel as well and would like to add a full bath and a wet bar, if it's feasible to do so. My plumbing is similar to yours - in that my sewage (public sewer) leaves the house 3-4 feet above the concrete basement floor.
Oh wow, perfect! That makes things way easier.If I were you, I'd consider an upflush toilet. Beats jackhammering up the floor.
Hey, check out these guys: http://www.upflushtoilet.com/collections/basement-toiletI don't have any advice to add here, but I'm interested in what you find out. I am planning out a basement remodel as well and would like to add a full bath and a wet bar, if it's feasible to do so. My plumbing is similar to yours - in that my sewage (public sewer) leaves the house 3-4 feet above the concrete basement floor. I have no problem breaking up the floor and digging holes, but I struggle with what I'll need to pump the mess up to the sewer lines. Also, if I install a shower in addition to a toilet we're talking about a lot more volume. Please try to update here with what you find out and I'll try to do the same.
For the plumbing vent, can you not tie into the existing vent? Seems to me that it would be a disaster to need to run an entirely new vent.
No jackhammering needed. Just need to run water to and from the unit, and electricity.
The compact version does not need a plumbing vent, but a sink still will.
Their equipment supports adding showers etc.
I haven't bought it but from what I've read and looked at, it appears to be the best solution and makes our issue not a big problem at all. We're a year or so away from doing this but I am leaning in this direction.
I agree with the check valve, but I disagree with the grinder pump. It should be an effluent pump. A grinder pump is used with a sewer system. If you grind up the solids into minute particles they will not settle to the bottom of the septic tank and then flow into your leaching area. Aerobic bacteria in the leaching field will not break down these solids as it requires anaerobic bacteria, which are found in the septic tank.No- isolate it with a check valve.
The pump will need to be a "grinder" for the solids and properly sized for the vertical lift. It will need a check valve, union, ball valve and vent- as will any fixture you install.
You're pretty much on track with your list
This is clog the field and can lead to early failure of the leaching field.
myself I'd use the effluent pump with a storage tank and run all waste into it. An effluent pump should be cheaper than any toilet/pump unit. Check with local vendors.
A quick update, partially talking out loud, partially to provide info to others, and partially to invite more comments.
I talked to a friend who is a pro in this area and he isn't too impressed with the Saniflo upflush toilets, primarily because he sees them requiring a ton of maintenance. (He fixes them all the time). He still prefers the old school method of jackhammering up the floor and installing a basin because then you can pick whichever pump system you like, and there's some seriously awesome pumps out there that perform a lot better. I forget which brand he preferred.
In a desperate attempt to avoid jackhammering, I discovered that companies like Zoeller have their own above-ground basin/effluent pump system that you could attach to a compatible toilet. My buddy says that there are way better pumps out there, but that Zoeller ain't bad and it might be a good middle ground.
I am still researching this.
I talked to a friend who is a pro in this area and he isn't too impressed with the Saniflo upflush toilets, primarily because he sees them requiring a ton of maintenance. (He fixes them all the time). He still prefers the old school method of jackhammering up the floor and installing a basin because then you can pick whichever pump system you like, and there's some seriously awesome pumps out there that perform a lot better. I forget which brand he preferred.
In a desperate attempt to avoid jackhammering, I discovered that companies like Zoeller have their own above-ground basin/effluent pump system that you could attach to a compatible toilet. My buddy says that there are way better pumps out there, but that Zoeller ain't bad and it might be a good middle ground.
I am still researching this.
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
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