Installing a bathroom in your basement is a wise idea if you are ever hosting guests or you’ve got a rental property. Also, a basement bathroom is ideal for families that love to spend most of their time in the basement. In addition, adding a bathroom in your basement helps boost the home’s value.
While having a below-ground bathroom in your home is the ultimate convenience, it’s certainly never a DIY job. Thus, it’s better left to the professionals due to the technicalities involved. For instance, a basement bathroom in an old house can be complex because plumbing rough-ins for basement plumbing may not be as easy as in a new building.
For anyone considering a basement bathroom, there are crucial factors to think about to achieve a successful remodel. Keep reading to learn what you need to consider before dialing a plumber near you for bathroom plumbing in your basement.
Permits and Zoning
As a homeowner, it would be wise to contact the local building authority before ringing your plumber. It would be best to familiarize yourself with the legal restrictions on construction projects in Normal, IL, and in this case, the plumbing of a basement bathroom.
Home improvements of this kind are likely to come with deed restrictions and zoning contingencies to ensure your safety and that of your family in the future.
Location
For those whose basements are big, mapping where to locate your new bathroom may not be difficult. Ideally, the new bathroom should be placed in proximity to the home’s current plumbing and electrical system. Plus, it’s always a smart idea if the plumber positions your basement bathroom directly below the one on the floor above to reduce the cost of utility hookups.
Basement Bathroom Design
Another thing to think about is the kind of basement bathroom you want. Do you want a half-bath with just a toilet and sink, or do you need a full bathroom with a stand-up shower or a bathtub? This depends on your needs. Whether you want a heated bathroom floor, some warm colors, a traditional or modern bathtub style, or a mix of both, it’s all your choice. You can ask your plumbing service provider in Normal, IL for the available bathroom designs you might want for your basement.
Cost
As much as you want a particular bathroom design for your basement, it might be quite expensive. You will have to pay the plumber and cater for the extra plumbing you need in the bathroom. Although pricing for plumbing services varies, plumbing for a basement bathroom could cost between $10,000 and $15,000.
Ventilation of Your Basement Bathroom
Basements tend to be damp and cold since they lack natural ventilation. The moisture trapped in these dreary spaces favors mold and mildew growth. This implies that going for a shower or bathtub may be the least of options unless they are completely necessary.
Remember, such installations require proper ventilation. Every bathroom needs ventilation, but a basement bathroom needs it the most. A trained plumber must install a high-powered ventilation fan to dry up the space. You might also need an exhaust fan timer, so don’t forget to ventilate the bathroom.
Space
Space is important to keep in mind, especially if you want additional installations in your bathroom. Besides the tub, sink, shower, or toilet, a laundry area in your basement bathroom is a good idea. However, such an option could add to the complexity of handling overflows. As such, you must hire an experienced plumbing contractor to ensure a floor drain and the dryer vent has some access to the exterior wall.
Drainage
This is a critical factor when it comes to basement bathroom plumbing. Gravity helps wastewater and dirt to move in a typical above-the-ground bathroom; thus, there should be enough fall to drain wastewater in the bathroom below the ground.
Your plumber has two considerations while evaluating the plumbing rough-in for your basement bathroom plumbing. Firstly, it’s the size of the pipe. If the current pipes are relatively small, your contractor may have to install wider pipes to accommodate the basement drains.
The second thing the plumber will need to assess is the depth of your plumbing. If your current sewer lines are deep enough to use gravity-assisted disposal, constructing an underground bathroom will be simple. Otherwise, there may be other alternatives the plumbing service expert may need to take.
If you use the city’s sewer line, the plumbing technician will have to install a backup water valve in the new plumbing. Again, don’t forget that doing so will require a permit. Thus, you must consult with the plumber before the project commences. If you use a septic tank, it means your waste doesn’t drain into the city line. In such a case, you’ll need to ensure that the tank is deep enough for basement plumbing.
It requires extra effort and money if your home’s drainage lines aren’t deep enough. It may require removing a portion of your basement floor and excavating under it. This may not be an ideal option for some homes to realize the needed fall. Besides, special equipment is needed for this kind of project. However, all these don’t mean that it’s impossible to construct a basement bathroom this way.
Covenant Plumbing: Your Go-To Place for Professional Plumbing Services
Having known what to do after establishing a plan for your basement bathroom remodel or a complete build-up, contacting the professionals at Covenant Plumbing is the next step. We’ve been serving Normal, IL and the neighboring areas since 2008, and our plumbers are knowledgeable and experts in plumbings of all nature, including 24-hour emergency plumbing. We look forward to your partnering with us today.