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Saw a house, which had a fullbath in the basement. I cant remember which thread I read about you guys discussing if its OK or NOT OK? Can you please advice me on this?
There's no reason it wouldn't be "OK"-it's just a question of whether the basement will get flooded if the sewers back up. When we had the heavy rains last April, many of the sewer lines in Woodbridge backed up because the system couldn't handle the rainfall. A lot of the houses that had bathrooms in the basement ended up with sewage dumping in through the toilets, because the toilet rims were lower than the street level. It's not a common occurence, but something I'd investigate if you're looking at such a house.
In some cases the sewer line exits the house at a level higher than the basement slab, and the bathroom in the basement then has to be pumped up to the sewer line. This requires a grinder pump, as well as a checkvalve to keep the sewer from draining back into the basement. It's important to clean out that checkvalve regularly, otherwise it may not work when/if it's actually needed.
Where I live now everyone has baths in the basement level and I have heard of no problems.
But - when we were looking at houses in NJ there were some that had the toilets up on an elevated level - we laughingly called them "Elvis thrones" but I found out later that there was some type of reason to have them like this - some screwy plumbing thing I would not want to deal with.
Where I live now everyone has baths in the basement level and I have heard of no problems.
But - when we were looking at houses in NJ there were some that had the toilets up on an elevated level - we laughingly called them "Elvis thrones" but I found out later that there was some type of reason to have them like this - some screwy plumbing thing I would not want to deal with.
They are mearly bringing the toilet HIGHER than the drain pipe which exits the house, so the water can drain out with gravity.
I have no idea as to the why, how, etc. However, I've seen plenty of bathrooms in plenty of basements -- not elevated, on platforms, etc. -- and the people have never had problems with floods, back-ups, etc. Perhaps that means they were designed and built properly.
I have no idea as to the why, how, etc. However, I've seen plenty of bathrooms in plenty of basements -- not elevated, on platforms, etc. -- and the people have never had problems with floods, back-ups, etc. Perhaps that means they were designed and built properly.
Or, it means that they're in an area where the sewers don't back up in heavy rain situations.
I'm not saying that the OP will ever have a problem- just noting that there are potential issues in certain cases.
Or, it means that they're in an area where the sewers don't back up in heavy rain situations.
I'm not saying that the OP will ever have a problem- just noting that there are potential issues in certain cases.
Very true.
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