Toilet Problems in a Basement

Adding a bathroom to a basement will increase the value of a home.

Whether the basement has been turned into an entertainment area or a bedroom has been added, installing a bathroom is going to make the area more convenient. However, installing a bathroom and toilet in the basement can be tricky and can cause some problems immediately or down the road.

Installation

While having a bathroom in the basement will make the space more convenient to use, the installation isn't going to be easy. One of the major problems of installing a toilet in the basement is tearing up the floor to install the proper drainage system. Locating water lines and running piping into the toilet can be daunting. The floor will need to be torn up, which can be expensive and time consuming.

Upflush Toilet

To combat the drainage system problem, you may choose to install an upflush toilet. Upflush toilets are designed to connect with the drainage system located above the basement and they don't require you to tear up the floors. However, upflush toilets also come with several problems, including a low water level, which makes clogging more prevalent and the toilet more difficult to clean.

Windows

While not having windows in a basement may not be a toilet problem per se, it may create problems for individuals using the bathroom. Windows in a bathroom allow fresh air to come in and unpleasant odor to exit. If you install a bathroom in a basement, you may also have to install a ventilation system, which will add to the expense. Not having windows means there will be no natural light, so electrical wiring will need to be installed in the bathroom

Leaking

If you install a regular toilet and drainage system in the basement, you could run into some major problems if the pipes start to leak. Anytime a leak occurs in the basement, it can lead to foundation problems and either cause cracks or make existing cracks worse. Anytime a foundation is damaged, it puts the house at risk of developing structural problems.

References

• Upflush Toilet: FAQs
• New Jersery Custom Finished Basements: Bathroom Ideas
• Ask the Builder: Foundation Cracks