Tips For Building A Basement Bathroom

Tips For Building A Basement Bathroom

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February 11, 2017

Why not utilize the extra space in your basement while increasing your home’s value?

This is a virtual no-brainer.

Turning your basement into a living space is more important than ever to giving your home an edge when it comes time to sell.

And part of that conversion, whether for a work space, or entertainment, should be a beautiful bathroom addition.

First and foremost you have to decide what you’re looking for in a bathroom.  Is it going to be for luxury, a quick hand washing, or used mainly by kids?

Do you want a half-bath or a full bath?

If you’re turning your basement into a full living space then we cannot recommend a full bath enough.  Both you and your guests will love it.  Just remember that basements can be chilly or damp, so make sure your bathroom is well heated and insulated — or even air conditioned in the summer, depending on where you live.

Also you must consider the size.  We recommend going with 60 SQ. FT. if you have the space.  Many bathrooms (mainly half baths) go as small as 30 SQ. FT.

Once all those decisions have been made, now it’s time to deal with the construction.  We obviously recommend using a reputable contractor.  Click here for more details.

Regardless, you must check with your local building authority for zoning ordinances and deed restrictions.

A violation of a zoning law can halt construction and be very costly.

When considering placement, make sure to place your bathroom as close to your home’s existing plumbing and electrical as possible.  Ideally, you should construct your new bathroom directly below an existing bathroom.  This typically makes hooking up utilities easier and far less costly.

Tapping into existing electrical lines is pretty easy for a good electrician.  Attach all lighting and fans to exposed lines.  Just remember that you also need a spot for your ventilation fan.  This is why it’s a good idea to place your bathroom close to an exterior wall.  You’ll want to install a high-powered fan to ensure proper ventilation from the basement area.

Like electrical, your plumbing should be close to existing pipes.

Drainage is key here and should be paramount in any design.  Think about drainage from the toilet, shower/tub, and sink.

Each drainage line must have a downhill trajectory to allow gravity to take waste water away.  If you don’t do this, you have to install a sewage ejection pump.  These pumps can be somewhat costly depending on the horsepower level.

You will also have to tear up part of your basement floor to identify and access your plumbing/electrical lines.  You could do this yourself, but it can lead to very costly mistakes.

Good contractors have high-tech tools that can locate your lines much faster and less costly than swinging a sledge hammer.

Having this knowledge beforehand will help you efficiently plan your bathroom.

Installing a basement bathroom is a huge undertaking.  We’ve only scratched the surface here.

At the “Edge” Showroom at Builder Supply Outlet, or our new location in Orland Park, IL, our Kitchen and Bathroom Designers can help you design the perfect basement bathroom as well as find a reputable contractor.  They’ll be there for you every step of the way.

To schedule a FREE appointment with one of  our “Edge” Kitchen and Bathroom Designers, please click here.