Anyone who comes from a large family can tell you horror stories about waiting in line for the bathroom. Everybody loves to take their time showering, brushing their teeth, applying makeup and answering nature's call, but if you only have one or two bathrooms in your home, you are liable to have serious conflicts in the morning. One way to take some of the pressure off without giving up valuable square footage is to install a bathroom in your basement. Read on for tips on how to add extra plumbing installations and bring harmony to your household.

Underground Plumbing Installations

Installing a bathroom in the basement does more than give you an extra sink and toilet. It also adds convenience to your home life and is a great first step toward reclaiming unused basement space and turning it into a comfortable, livable area – perhaps even a separate apartment to rent out. It can also add value to your home when it comes time to sell.

Keep in mind, however, that there are special considerations when it comes to adding plumbing installations below ground level. The key factor is the depth of your existing plumbing – if there's room to install the sink and toilet above the current drain depth, the job will be much easier. If the sewer line isn't deep enough, however, you may need to install a pump or other way of removing the wastewater from your home. There are also likely to be special rules in your local building code that deal with below-grade plumbing installations.

The Great Shower Conundrum

There are a number of factors to consider once you decide to go forward with your basement bathroom. Placement is of prime importance. To some extent, you are limited by the architecture of your basement. But if you can slot the bathroom so it is near your existing plumbing installations, you will make your life significantly easier when it's time to lay pipe.

You also need to figure out if you just want to add a powder room with a sink and toilet, or if you need to put in a full bathroom complete with a tub or shower. The powder room option is a lot simpler and less expensive, but if you want to use the basement as a guest room or apartment, a tub or shower is crucial. Also, since basements tend to be damper than the above-ground areas of your home, you’ll want to include a ventilation system to help prevent mold and mildew from building up.

Expert Advice for Your Plumbing Installations

When you're ready to move forward with your basement bathroom plumbing installation, don't hesitate to contact your local plumber at (800) 259-7705 for expert service and advice.