How To Install Plumbing In A Basement

Whether you are installing a bathroom, secondary kitchen, washer and dryer or other plumbing here are some tips to install plumbing in a basement.

First of all, the cleanouts, shut offs, mechanical joints, and valves should all be easy to access. Any cleanouts that are concealed should be large enough to be able to remove the plug and rod the system.

If you are planning to add a bathroom down in the basement you are likely going to be dealing with concrete. If you are having to bust up any of the floor use caution because it is really easy to break pipes. Also remember to watch your fixture side and have help because moving fixtures into the basement can be a bit of a challenge.

When it comes to installations in the basement here are some great ideas.

1. Showers Install a shower that has a hinged door that swings out. Of course it should be safety glazed. Install a water conservation shower head. It should not have a flow rate over 2 gallons a minute and your hot temperature shouldn't be more than 120F. 2. Bathroom Sinks The waste outlet needs to be at least 1 ½ inches in diameter and a strainer or crossbar is a must to ensure "stuff" doesn't accidentally go down the drain. Choose faucets that use no more than 2.5 gallons per minute at 60 PSI. You can choose a wall mount, pedestal, or traditional vanity sink depending on the bathroom. You've got plenty of options. 3. Toilets Today you can get many toilets that are very good at conserving water. This makes good sense for your pocket book and your environment. There are a variety of styles of toilets 4. Bathtub If you are going to install a bathtub in the basement consider a whirlpool tub. The basement is also the perfect place for a hot tub. Make sure your outlet is a minimum of 1 ½ inches in diameter and that the waste outlet has the correct type of stopper. 5. Laundry Tub Each compartment of the tub is going to need a waste outlet that is a minimum of 1 ½ inches in diameter as well as a strainer or crossbar. 6. Washers Generally installed in a laundry room with dryer. You'll need a trap and overflow for your washer. Make sure the hose is correctly placed in the pipe.

Don't be surprised if you go to remodel and discover that your plumbing is buried under four inches of concrete. It's pretty common. Vents and drains are roughed in when a house is built but when you go to add on at a later date it can be a bit of a challenge.

Know that you have some tips on how to install plumbing in a basement you are ready to get started. The question is what are you going to do?