Asked on Jun 09, 2015

Need to install a basement bathroom

Brenda Adams
by Brenda Adams
We need to install a bathroom in our basement. We were told we have to have a "flush-up" toilet. Is this true? What suggestions does anyone have?
  6 answers
  • Tonia Tonia on Jun 09, 2015
    This is true we installed one about 4 months ago. I would say don't go cheap. You dont want to deal with sewer smell in your basement because of a cheap pumping system.
  • B. Enne B. Enne on Jun 10, 2015
    We have always used regular toilets...The rough-ins were already installed, so I don't know if the previous owners did anything special at that phase. I've never heard of a flush-up toilet. Perhaps you can find the info you need in your building code?
  • Workerbee Workerbee on Jun 10, 2015
    Ask at a plumbing store not a big box store. Also, the plumbing store can let you know the building codes in your area.
    • B. Enne B. Enne on Jun 10, 2015
      @Workerbee That is a good idea, as opposed to asking a in-home plumber during an estimate, since some tend to upsell unnecessarily. At least she will be informed first, if she does go that route.
  • Mehartgallery Mehartgallery on Jun 10, 2015
    My son has one in his home... it has to be a flush up if your floor is lower than your sewer outlet from your home. You must use care in what you flush down the toilet.. only human waste and easily degradeable bathroom tissue,... anything else will get all caught up and mangled into the mascerator.
  • Tonia Tonia on Jun 10, 2015
    If the house was built with no plumbing in place for a bathroom in the basement you have to have a flush up toilet this is very common in older homes. Newer homes are usually plumbed for the maybe laters. Our house was built in the 70's and the plumbing leaves the house about three feet off of the floor. This makes the flush up a necessity. My guess is they have this same issue.
    • B. Enne B. Enne on Jun 11, 2015
      @Tonia That makes sense...thanks for the clarification:)
  • Joan Joan on Jun 10, 2015
    House plumbing works by gravity...it all drains down to the underground pipe that leads to the sewer connection. If the toilet will be installed below the level of the sewer pipe leading to the house, then you have to pump the waste up to the pipe. The equipment needed depends on the way your house is built.