QA

Question: How Do Basement Toilets Work

Do you need a special toilet for the basement?

A basement toilet is a necessary addition to your basement bathroom, but plumbing a basement toilet is a different animal. If your home has the sewer-line that runs deep enough for gravity (below the basement concrete floor level) to take care of waste disposal, then you may be in luck.

How does a basement toilet flush up?

When you flush the toilet, discharge runs into a macerator. The macerator sits in a compact tank on the floor just behind the toilet. When you flush the toilet, the macerator uses a rapid cutting blade, which turns on automatically and transforms waste into a fine slurry.

Can you put a toilet in the basement?

If you think plumbing can be difficult above ground, then you can only imagine the challenges that arise when installing a basement toilet. But don’t give up just yet: With the right plumbing solutions for your space, you can easily install a basement toilet.

Is it worth putting a bathroom in the basement?

Adding a bathroom to your basement makes it livable space, which increases the overall market value of your home. A bathroom in your basement can also be a huge selling point for buyers if you are ever looking to sell. When a basement is unfinished with no bathroom, buyers look at the basement as wasted space.

Are Upflush toilets loud?

This toilet was installed in our basement so we needed an upflush. We have the bathroom sink and shower hooked up to it as well. It is very loud especially when someone is taking a shower because it pumps almost continuosly. It works fine though and seems like it is good quality.

How do you put a toilet in a basement without breaking concrete?

The best way to install a basement toilet without damaging the basement floor is to look at a toilet with a high water level. While traditional basement showers require drilling concrete to add drainage, the Saniflo system is installed on upper concrete floors.

How much does it cost to install a basement toilet?

Cost to Install Toilet in Basement Installing a toilet in your basement costs on average $1,695. Most homeowners pay between $1,070 and $2,370. Most of the cost is from the cost of installing new plumbing. If you already have plumbing in your basement, expect to pay closer to $372.

Are Upflush toilets good?

In both cases, your toilet has no drains, plumbing pipes, or septic tanks. Upflush toilets are ideal in these scenarios. They push waste into a temporary storage tank, macerate the waste, then pump it ‘upwards’ or ‘sideways’ to your main sewer line. It can push waste up to 100 feet horizontally and 9 feet up.

How do macerator toilets work?

A macerating toilet is an upflush toilet system. It sends waste to a unit behind the toilet in a large container or in a container in the wall. High-powered blades liquefy the waste before it is pumped out of the unit through a pipe that is directly tied to the main drain line.

Why were toilets put in basements?

Because of old school plumbing technology, sewage backups were much more frequent many years ago. To prevent sewage backup into the main part of the house, toilets were installed in the basement. “Sewage backs up the pipe and into the fixtures that are connected to it,” Martin told TODAY.

Can a toilet and sink share the same drain?

In the US, with modern regulations, in most municipalities, yes, they do. The water and solids from your toilet waste line and the water from your drains end up in the same sewer line, if you have access to a municipal sewer system.

What happens if toilet is not vented?

Poorly-vented drain lines will not be able to effectively move wastewater and solid waste out of your building. This could lead to problems such as overflowing drains, backed-up toilets, and similar plumbing issues.

How much does an Upflush toilet cost?

Upflush toilets typically cost $600-$800. A professional plumber can usually install one in an hour or two ($100-$200) for a total cost of $700-$1,000. Sewage ejector systems cost $400-$700 depending on the tank size. These systems do not come with a toilet, however, so one must be purchased at additional cost.

Can you add a bathroom to a basement without a rough in?

Usually, older homes won’t come with a rough in. If your basement isn’t set up to include the necessary systems like drains and plumbing vents, you will need to have them added. You may even need to install a special upflush toilet depending on where your main drain line is found in the home.

Can you put a shower in a basement?

Installing a basement shower often comes with the same strings attached as the installation of any basement plumbing, meaning that it often requires the uprooting of concrete. However, if a home was built with the main drain above the basement level, then the installation of a shower will require different steps.

How does a basement floor drain work?

Floor drains are most often installed during original construction, often in the utility area, to drain away excess water in the basement. The concrete floor around the drain gently slopes towards it, encouraging water to collect there and drain out.