When thinking of a basement bathroom, you probably imagine something dark, dank, and underground. If you are not imaginative, you may fail to see a bright, beautiful space that feels like an elegant spa retreat instead of the musty closet under your house. But with the proper planning, installation, and basement bathroom ideas, that is what you can achieve.
After all, who doesn’t love nice, luxurious bathrooms? The trick is to know what plumbing will work in your basement so that it is not just functional but also as gorgeous as possible where you can take a cozy bath. Here are some tips on installing a bathroom in basement without breaking concrete.
Is the Basement Toilet a Brilliant Idea?
Yes, a toilet in the basement is a brilliant idea. And yes, you can install a basement toilet in your home. Many homeowners will install basement bathroom or toilets for various reasons, including an accessible toilet for elderly or disabled family members, a baby nursery toilet, or a home office toilet. Others may use this toilet as an alternative to a composting toilet or because they have septic or toilet drain issues.
Decide Where You Want to Put Your Basement Bathroom
While the basement bathrooms seem like a no-brainer for storage and utility closets, you also have several other options to consider when deciding where to install them. You can also add plumbing to an existing bathroom or add space for a bathroom in a new addition. First, determine if your property is zoned for a bathroom addition.
If it is, you can put the bathroom anywhere you want on your property. If your property is not zoned for a bathroom addition, you have to find a way to add existing plumbing to an existing bathroom or a closet in the house to use as a bathroom. If you add plumbing to an existing bathroom, ensure it is spacious enough to meet your needs.
Install the Right Drainage Before You Install Anything Else
Whether you are building a new basement bathroom or adding bathroom plumbing to an existing bathroom, installing the proper drainage system is critical. You have to decide between an aboveground or belowground drainage system. When building a basement bathroom, belowground drainage is the recommended drainage system.
Aboveground drainage systems are intended for outdoor use. They do not work well indoors due to frequent clogs and are not sanitary. Belowground drainage systems are installed below the frost line, while aboveground systems are not. That means they will freeze each winter, which can cause a clog and lead to a serious plumbing emergency.
How to Install Basement Toilet Without Messing Drain Lines
A basement toilet is an enclosed room with a water supply line, a drain pipe, and a ventilation fan system. If you decide to install a basement toilet, be sure to do the following:
Determine if your home is zoned for a bathroom or toilet addition – If not, you have to either build a toilet in a closet or add plumbing to an existing bathroom.
Plan the location of your new toilet by determining where the main drain line should go. The line should be as straight and short as possible.
Install a cleanout at the end of the drain line. That will allow you to clean out any clogs that may occur.
Install a new water supply line to the toilet. The supply line should be as short as possible for efficiency purposes.
Install a ventilation fan system for your toilet in the existing space. That will prevent harmful gases from building up in your bathroom.
Connect the drain and water supply lines to your toilet. You can consider new drain lines or use existing plumbing.
Installing A Bathroom in the Basement
While installing a bathroom and bathtub in the basement, you will need to bring in water and a sewer line. Before digging up, most homeowners will call the appropriate authorities to have the utilities in their area marked to avoid hitting the main sewage line.
You have two options for bringing water to the basement: If you have access to an existing water line, you can tap into it for the new basement adding. If you don’t have access to an existing main sewer line, you will need to hire a plumber to run a new line to the basement floor.
To connect to a sewer pipe, hire a plumber to install the line that connects to the city sewer and drain lines. If you have a septic tank, you can install a pump to move the sewage from the tank to the city drainage lines or get a plumber.
Add a Sink and Counters
Installing a sink and counters is very straightforward. Remember you must run water and drain pipes when installing a new bathroom. If you add plumbing to an existing bathroom, ensure sufficient space to accommodate the sink and counters. If necessary, you will also need to run electrical systems to power the lights and a wall-mounted faucet.
Understanding Belowground vs. Aboveground Drainage
Aboveground drainage systems have a standpipe and a sump pump. The sump pump is installed below the standpipe, which collects water from the basement and pumps it out to the city sewer lines. Aboveground drainage systems are typically used in new construction and are not recommended for basements. Aboveground systems are not below the frost line and will freeze each winter, which can cause a clog leading to severe issues.
Aboveground systems are relatively inexpensive and easy to install. They cannot be used in areas that experience sustained freezing temperatures.
Belowground drainage systems are installed underground, below the frost line. They include the following:
A sump pump collects water from the basement and pumps it to the city sewer line.
A drain line collects water from the sump pump and other sources, such as the washing machine. A cleanout is installed at the end of the drainage lines. That allows you to clean out any clogs that may occur.
A standpipe collects water from the drainage lines and directs it to the sump pump.
Pros of Installing a Basement Bathroom
Accessibility
Making an informed decision to install a new bathroom in the basement is convenient, especially when you have people who are elderly or have mobility issues living in your home. If these individuals are on the first floor and you have a second floor bathroom, they will either need to climb stairs or else be constantly asking for help with the laundry room.
Easier to keep clean
The best thing about a basement bathroom is that you don’t have to worry about messy things. There is no chance it gets covered in cobwebs or dust with these brilliant basement bathroom ideas.
Easy to design
Since you can’t see the walls of your basement bathroom from the rest of the house, you have a lot of freedom to go wild with design ideas. That can be especially handy if you have a creative streak and want to do something different. Work on your basement floor to create something unique for the full bathroom.
Smells are less likely to be a problem
With a basement bathroom, you won’t have to worry about odors traveling throughout the house. The new plumbing venture ensures the bathroom is always clean, which means odors will be a thing of the past.
Water conservation is easier
Because you don’t have to worry about water running upstairs, it is easier to conserve water and reduce your bill when you add a bathroom basement.
Water filtration is easier
Putting a water filter on your downspout is easier. It is essential to use well water since it’s a great way to filter out contaminants.
Increased Home Value
Adding a bathroom to your self contained home increases its overall value. Even though the material costs could be slightly higher, your home value will increase if you want to sell it.
Cons of Installing a Basement Bathroom
Decorating is difficult
Since everything is hidden in the basement, it can be much more challenging to decorate. That is especially true if you have an open concrete floor plan between the first floor and your basement.
More challenging for plumbing
Basement bathroom plumbing is indeed challenging. However, modern plumbing is designed to be flexible, so you will have everything you need to get the job done.
It is harder to get a permit
If you are doing significant building work or new plumbing ventures, you may need a permit to ensure everything is up to the building codes. A permit might be harder to get if you plan to build a basement bathroom.
There might be septic issues
If you have a septic system, you have to be careful not to alter that system in any way. Installing a basement bathroom is one of the most common things that cause problems with septic systems and pipes.
You might have to cut into existing plumbing
You may have to cut into your plumbing if it is in the wrong place or if your drain lines are too small. Cutting into plumbing can cause problems in the future.
What to Consider When Planning for a Basement Bathroom?
Size of the space – The first thing to consider when planning a basement bathroom is the size. Ensure you have enough room for a toilet, sink, or tub.
Water pressure – Ensure you have enough water pressure for everything you want to be hooked up to your water source.
Drain lines – You should have enough drain pipes to accommodate everything you want to be hooked up.
Lighting – If you plan to put in a freestanding tub, ensure sufficient lighting around that area.
Access points – The basement should have plenty of access points for maintenance and repair work.
Building codes and permits – Ensure you adhere to all relevant building codes and permits.
Consider Existing Plumbing and Drain Pipes
For your toilet, you will need to ensure the pipes are long enough to accommodate the toilet. You might also have to extend the existing water lines to put a sink in the basement bathroom. If you have an older home, the existing plumbing might not be able to handle these extensions. Ensure you research this thoroughly before you make any cuts. Also, take measurements of the space with the fixtures in mind. You don’t want to purchase the wrong pipe size only to find out they don’t fit.
Consider Lighting
Make sure you have enough lighting in your basement bathroom. You want to avoid straining your eyes when sitting on the toilet or taking a shower. For homeowners with over-the-toilet storage space, ensure enough space above the toilet. If you put in a walk-in shower, you will need a wall-mounted light.
Consider Building Codes and Permits
If you have a finished basement that you plan to turn into a basement bathroom, make sure you have the necessary building permit before you start construction. While many jurisdictions accept the “finished basement” exemption, some don’t. Ensure you follow the local building codes that apply to your situation.
What Makes Basement Plumbing Different?
The most significant difference between basement plumbing and first-floor plumbing is that basement plumbing is exposed to a much higher temperature and humidity levels. That means that you will have to be more careful of potential problems. Before you undertake basement plumbing, ensure you understand the potential challenges. Basement plumbing, particularly the water pipes, is exposed to high humidity.
They can corrode if made of copper or some other unsealed metal. Homeowners using basement plumbing, especially water pipes, should use polyethylene pipes. Make sure you seal the joints with Teflon tape to prevent leaks. If you choose to have your main water line run into your basement, it is essential to protect it from freeze damage.
Basement Toilet Options
Installing a toilet in your basement may not be a good idea, primarily if your toilet lies below the main line. There are several toilet options that you can install without breaking your concrete or the main line.
Upflushing Toilets
These toilets vary in operation and look. Upflushing toilets have a pumping mechanism behind the toilet. Some of these toilets permit other waste-producing fixtures, such as shower drains and sinks. Even though these upflushing toilets are expensive, they are much cheaper to install. With these toilets, you do not have to break your concrete as they rest on your floor.
Macerating Toilets
There are upflashing toilets that incorporate a grinding or macerating feature that reduces waste to even smaller pieces before pumping. This feature is resourceful in eliminating clogging issues. These toilets come with a toilet tank, bowl, and macerating unit. So, if you want to install a toilet in the basement, you can consider macerating toilet.
You can install the macerating unit behind the wall or in the bathroom. From here, it can efficiently pump waste vertically about 12 feet.
Composting Toilets
These toilets are brilliant solutions for below-grade situations for toilet waste. Composting toilets will require little or no water. They require outside venting to function perfectly. Most toilets use a biodrum for odor-free waste, require no electricity, and rest on concrete.
Composting toilets are environmentally friendly and help reduce waste without using chemicals in the composting process. You should monitor its use and empty the toilet as needed since it limits the materials it can compost in one day.
Final Thoughts
Even though a basement bathroom is an excellent project for your home, it requires basement plumbing expertise and knowledge. An average homeowner may not be able to handle this work. You could always hire a professional plumber to help you with the main stack and final connections.
FAQs
If you are always wondering whether it is okay for your bathroom sink and toilet to share pipes, here is an exciting section with all the answers.
Can a toilet and sink share one drain?
Building codes and regulations in the U.S. allow the sink and toilet to share one drain. Many homes use one sewer pipe for the toilet sink, line, and bath drain.
Can you plumb the basement bathroom?
When constructing a basement bathroom, gravity may not be on your side, meaning you might require an ejector to remove the waste from the bathroom. However, there are times when the sewer pipe is far below, allowing you to plumb the basement bathroom easily.
Does basement bathroom plumbing need a vent?
The building code in numerous municipalities requires a drain on the concrete floor. The bathroom has to be vented with an exhaust fan or operable window.
How much does it cost to rough in plumbing for a bathroom in the basement?
The costs involved in roughing-in plumbing could be around $7,000 for a bathroom. The overall cost could, however, range from $750 to $20,000. The entire cost will depend on the number of fixtures, labor fees, home size, and piping material.
Do basement bathrooms need a pump?
A sewage pump is needed to remove the water and waste from the house. That is because the basement is usually below the sewage pipe entrance.