Author: Eddie Case
My basement remodeling company will install a new bathroom, a wet bar, or both, in more than 75% of the basements that we finish for our clients! Any basement can easily have either a bathroom or a wet bar added during construction!
There are a few "tricks-of-the-trade" involved when adding bathrooms and wet bars to basements because of the unconventional ways in which these areas drain waste water. Being so far below grade normally forces you to add some type of "pump" into the mix to make this possible.
ALL of the bathrooms that have this drainage problem require a "Sewage Ejector" of some type to pump the bathroom waste water "up-and-out" to the home existing waste water drainage lines. Very few basements (maybe 10% or less) will enable you to drain the bathroom waste water directly in plumbing waste lines "below" the concrete floor level. If you have waste lines that exit the basement at a level that is higher than the finished concrete floor level you WILL NEED A SEWAGE EJECTOR SYSTEM INSTALLED!
These systems are not rocket science to install, although i do recommend that persons with no prior experience installing these animals NOT try it themselves! These sewage ejector pump systems are installed in the floor below the concrete level and require the installed to cut the concrete floor, dig-out a large and deep hole (about 3' deep!) and then install a sewage ejector pit and pump system! Not for the timid!
But, once installed by you or a plumbing subcontractor, the bathroom waste water from the toilet, sink and shower/tub will drain into the floor just like any other bathroom you have in your home! These Sewage Ejector Systems work very, very well, and are very dependable if installed and vented correctly. CALL A PLUMBER TO DO THIS FOR YOU! The systems usually cost around $ 400.00 complete + labor costs over and above this cost.
If the wet bar is positioned "friendly" and conveniently to the sewage ejector location, it too can be drain directly into this system "killing 2 birds with one stone"!
If the wet bar is NOT in a "friendly and convenient location in reference to the Sewage Ejector System a "Tray Pump System" can be used instead. This system does not go in the floor like the Sewage Ejector system! This Tray Pump "bolts" directly to the strainer cup of your bar sink under the sink inside the sink base cabinet! This convenient little pump will pump all "liquid only" waste up and out into the homes existing waste water lines with no problem!
The hot and cold water lines that feed the bathroom and the wet bar areas are traditionally plumbed just like any other pluming fixture in the house. It's ONLY the waste water drainage that makes basement bathrooms and wet bars different to plumb versus any other pluming fixture in the house!
Again I recommend that inexperienced participants NOT TRY THIS THEMSELVES! Hire a PRO to install these systems. If you are head-strong wanting to tackle this yourself I have another basement finishing video series that you can watch that will teach you in detail how to Do-It-Yourself!
For more information and ideas about basement finishing projects visit: http://www.1Basement.com
Here's to "Living Down Under"
Edward Case
About the Author:
Basement Finishing Specialist! Love designing spaces "down-under" for others to enjoy with family and friends. Self employed since 1992 and loving the freedom from the "rat race"!
I have finished over 375 basements since 1992, my goal is 1000 before I retire to the Islands for good!
