An Overview of 4 Common Basement Plumbing Systems

Adding a bathroom to your finished basement brings several advantages. It is more convenient than repeated trips upstairs if you or your kids will spend a lot of time in the basement, and it can even add value to your home.

Installing basement plumbing can be challenging, but there are several established systems that can effectively remove wastewater and sewer gases from your basement. Here is an explanation of four common basement plumbing systems that you should consider.

Belowground Waste Pipes

Belowground waste pipes are likely the type of plumbing that you will be most familiar with, as they function just like the plumbing in the rest of your home. The waste pipes slope away from your basement so that gravity will naturally drain the wastewater out of the bathroom. This type of basement plumbing is only effective if your home's sewage lines are at or near the level of your basement.

Installing a below-ground waste pipe system can be difficult, as it requires extensive concrete cutting to create a trench beneath your basement floor. You should draw out a detailed plan of how your sink, shower, and toilet will connect to the mainline under your floor to avoid costly mistakes before you begin cutting concrete.

Free-Standing Sewage Ejector

Freestanding sewage ejectors are installed above the floor of your basement and do not require you to cut any concrete. They consist of an enclosed septic tank and pump that forces wastewater from the toilet, sink, and shower upward into the sewage line. The enclosure must be set a few inches lower than the rest of the fixtures in the bathroom so that they will drain into the ejector septic tank.

Macerating Toilet

Macerating toilets include a macerator and a pump that is either housed in the toilet enclosure, located directly behind the toilet or sometimes installed in the wall behind the toilet. Also known as upflush toilets, the pump and macerator system can transfer wastewater directly from the toilet into the sewage line above your basement.

The macerator serves two important functions: to prevent clogs and increase the efficiency of the pump. Clogs can be more difficult to remove in an upflush system, as you are no longer working with the force of gravity to remove the clog.

The macerator grinds the wastewater to minimize the chance of clogging. Because the pump is working with liquid instead of solid waste, it can transfer it further upward because of the reduced strain on the system.

Belowground Sewage Ejector

Belowground sewage ejectors are possibly the most difficult basement plumbing system to install and maintain, but they are also one of the most effective. The septic tank and pump of a belowground sewage ejector system sit in a hole in the concrete floor of your basement.

This low position allows for easier gravity drainage from the fixtures in your bathroom. They can also have a much larger capacity than freestanding ejector systems.

Belowground sewage ejectors are a popular option in modern homes because they are a permanent solution that can be installed with minimal concrete cutting. They can also be quite affordable, as you can purchase a full ejector kit that includes the septic tank, pump, float valve and check valve for a lower cost than buying individual parts.

Basement plumbing is a convenience that every homeowner should take advantage of for their new home. While purchasing the equipment to install your own basement plumbing system will save you the cost of a professional install, you may also choose to hire a plumbing contractor to save yourself the labor and have the confidence that your system will be installed by someone with professional experience.

Contact the septic tank experts at JT Sanitation to schedule septic tank services.