Baths and laundry
Plumbing, planned around the drain you have
A basement bath or laundry is easy when the drain is deep enough and hard when it isn't. We find out at the test.
Most Pittsburgh basements have a floor drain and a main line, but not always at a depth that lets a new toilet or shower drain by gravity. When it does not, a sewage ejector pump lifts the waste to the main. We say which one you need before we quote.
What the job includes
A half bath, a three-quarter bath or a laundry corner, to the size of the space
Rough-in plumbing, run by a licensed plumber and inspected
A floor drain and a vent that meet the code
A moisture-resistant wall behind the shower, and a fan that vents outside
A laundry sink, a washer box and a dryer vent, where you want them
The price
What moves the price of a bath or laundry
The drain and the size of the room.
Drain depth
A shallow main line needs an ejector pump and a sealed pit.
A toilet
A toilet adds a vent, a drain and often a pump.
A shower
A new pan, a drain and tile cost more than a stall kit.
A laundry
A washer box and a dryer vent are modest. A utility sink adds more.
Venting
A fan has to vent outside, which can mean a hole through the rim joist.
Fixtures
Choose a basic toilet and vanity, or something finer.
The schedule
How a bath or laundry goes
A bath adds two to three weeks to a finish, mostly to wait for inspections.
- 01Before the quote
Step 1: Plan the drain
We trace the drain and measure its depth at the test.
- 02Weeks 3 to 4
Step 2: Cut and rough-in
The slab is cut where needed, drains and vents go in and are inspected.
- 03Weeks 4 to 5
Step 3: Pour and wall
The slab is patched and the wall built around the pipes.
- 04Weeks 7 to 8
Step 4: Fixtures
Tile, fixtures and the fan are set and tested.
Permits
Permits for a basement bath
Yes. A new bath or laundry needs a plumbing permit and an inspection of the rough-in and the final. The plumber's license is on the permit, and we show you the permit.
Questions
Before you book
Can I add a bath if my basement is damp?
Not until the damp is fixed. We test first, and if it is wet we don't cut the slab.
Can I keep the washer where it is?
Often. We frame around it and give it a drain pan and a clear way out.
What is an ejector pump?
A sealed pit with a pump that lifts waste up to the main line. It costs more than a gravity drain and needs a service call every few years.
Planning a bath downstairs?
Tell us where you want it and we will check the drain at the test.