Installing water fixtures in the basement can be a difficult task.
Basement bathrooms and water fixtures can increase the functionality of your subterranean space, and can also increase the overall resale value of your home. Installing them, however, can be a challenge, as sewage pipes often run above the level of your basement. This means you need to pump used water up before you can pump it out. Fortunately, there are several basement plumbing options that can help.
Up-Flushing
Up-flushing systems use pumps to push dirty water up a series of tubes and then into a main sewage line. Manufacturers commonly produce them as up-flushing toilets, which rest on top of existing flooring structures. According to Natural Handyman, some of these toilets use grinding mechanisms that grind waste products into a more manageable foam before pumping them up and out. The downside, however, is that this grinding process can release an unpleasant odor. If you are planning to install a sink or shower alongside a basement toilet, the up-flushing variety could be a beneficial choice. As Bob Vila notes, some models feature hookups that allow other water fixtures to drain into them.
Sewage-Ejector Systems
Sewage-ejector systems differ from their up-flushing counterparts in that they use tank systems that capture waste water with the help of gravity before pumping it out. The systems come in two main varieties: below ground and above ground, the latter is also known as freestanding. According to Bob Vila, sewage-ejector models are more difficult to install, as you must dig into the basement's foundation to get the tank below the level of the flooring. The benefit of these systems, however, is that you can keep water fixtures, such as toilets, sinks and showers, at a normal floor-level, which will maximize space and comfort. With the other option, an above ground sewage-ejector system, the tank rests on top of the existing basement floor. This means in order for them to function, you must rest water fixtures on top of the tank, or at least elevate the fixtures above the level of the tank so that gravity can pull waste water down into it.
Gravity Only
In some instances the basements of homes may actually be above the level of sewer or septic lines. If this is the case with your home you will not need a pumping mechanism or tank and can simply connect water fixtures as you would on the higher levels of your home. Bob Vila recommends making a call to the public works department of your local municipality to figure out how deep the sewer lines near your home are, and whether using gravity-only is a viable option.
Tags: water fixtures, your home, above level, above ground, before pumping, below ground