Basement Bathroom Installation Tips for Beginners

Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on May 11th, 2010

Basement bathroom installation is one great method to improve your home’s value and add to your enjoyment of the space you already have.  Many people are interested in turning their basements into usable space that they can use for their friends and their families.  Installing a bathroom makes this a lot more possible.  Lines for the upstairs bathroom are reduced, and no one has to trek upstairs in the middle of a gathering.  However, putting in a basement bathroom can be tricky.  To avoid problems, you’ll need to pay attention to a few things.  Here are some tips to help you!

One of the most important things you’ll need to pay attention to when putting in your basement bathroom is the need to defy gravity.  After all, you’ll need to get waste water up out of the basement and into the sewer system or septic tank.  With the bathroom located below the sewage line, this becomes a complicated proposition.  However, there are a number of options that’ll allow you to do this without a big mess or a lot of expense.

A properly sized macerating system can handle the sink, shower, and toilet, and won’t require you to dig up the basement floor.  This is more expensive than a regular toilet system, but it’ll make getting rid of waste water easy, and be less costly than some alternatives.  You can also choose a sump and ejector pump.  Less costly than a macerating system, this type does require professional installation below the floor.  However, the system itself is hidden and quiet.  Before you buy any system for basement bathroom installation, you’ll need to check local code requirements.

The majority of basement bathrooms don’t have windows, so basement bathroom installation plans should include lighting and ventilation options.  Otherwise, you’ll be creating a dark, unpleasant space that’s a haven for mold and mildew.  Think about where lighting will be desirable and choose fixtures that offer even, bright illumination without glare.  Ambient light or indirect lighting can be a real help for people hoping to avoid that “cave” effect.  Get a fan for your basement that’s strong enough to keep air circulating and remove odors and moisture, but make sure it’ll operate quietly.

To further reduce feelings of claustrophobia, consider using mirrors to make spaces look larger.  Locate storage in your basement bathroom carefully, so that it won’t block walkways or be visually distracting.  Most basement bathrooms require more storage than ordinary bathrooms, so plan for this before starting your basement bathroom installation.  You’ll be glad you took the extra time to do it.

A basement bathroom installation can be done relatively easily and inexpensively, and does a lot for the value and usability of your home.  Just make sure that you start out with a good plan and that you think about the unique factors in your basement.  Make sure you have access to electricity, plumbing, and adequate lighting and ventilation, and your basement remodel will go off well.