Laying Out a Drainage Pipe in the Basement

Cut a channel in your basement floor to lay out your drainage pipe.

A basement drainage system prevents flooding caused by excess moisture, which can often occur due to damp conditions or cracks in the walls. Installing a floor drain stops the accumulation of moisture by channeling it down through a floor drain that attaches to a stack pipe. The stack pipe connects to a drainage line, which is installed beneath the basement floor. Laying out the drainage line involves cutting a trench in the floor and connecting lengths of PVC pipe to form the line.

Things You'll Need

• 4-inch PVC drain pipe
• Drywall knife
• P-trap
• 4-inch elbows
• Chain wrench
• Sawzall
• 4-inch no-hub tee connection
• Socket wrench
• PVC glue
• Safety gloves and glasses

Instructions

1. Locate your main sewer’s drain pipe. If you do not have prior plumbing experience with sewage lines, ask a plumbing contractor to assist you locate the pipe. Hire a professional concrete cutting service to cut a concrete channel that extends from the location of the new drain to the sewer stack pipe’s wall.

2. Position 4-inch drain pipe across the concrete channel. Dry fit the drain pipe when you lay it out so you can make any necessary adjustments before permanently installing them. The bell ends, or end pieces that flare out at the end of each 10 ft length of pipe to form a socket, will enable you to attach additional lengths of pipe without connectors.

3. Use a drywall knife to cut a rectangular hole in the wall big enough to fully expose the stack pipe. Lay out a 4-inch drain pipe so that it inserts into the floor drain. Install a P-trap and 4-inch elbow beneath the assembly of the floor drain. Connect the elbow to the 4-inch drain pipe you inserted into the drain.

4. Use a chain wrench, if your stack pipe is comprised of metal, clay or cement, to cut out a section of the pipe. If your stack is plastic, cut out a section of it with a sawzall. Place a no-hub, 4-inch tee into the cut out section of the stack. Position the rubber ends of the no-hub tee over the sides of the cut section of the stack pipe. Use a socket wrench to tighten the hose clamps of the no-hub tee.

5. Glue all the pipe joints into place with PVC glue. Run water through the drain to check for leaks.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask an assistant to help you lay out PVC pipes to help the work go faster.

• Always wear safety gloves and safety goggles when working with plumbing tools to avoid injury.

References

• Chest of Books: How to Install a Basement Drain
• "Home Water and Moisture Problems: Prevention and Solutions"; Gary D. Branson; 2003

Resources

• "Black & Decker The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair"; Editors of Creative Publishing; 2008