Making Sure Your Basement Bathroom Remodel Goes Smoothly
A basement bathroom remodel is one of the best ways to add value and convenience to your home.
Many homes have only one bathroom - something that can be a real pain if you have a family who all need to get ready at the same time, or if you're likely to have guests over.
No one likes to wait in line.
In addition, homes with only one bathroom do less well on the housing market, even in the best of times.
These are two big reasons that anyone would want to add another bathroom to their home, and the basement is the place that'll be the easiest and least expensive.
However, if you want to avoid some of the major pitfalls that come with this kind of renovation and make sure your experience is a smooth and pleasant one, you'll need to pay attention to a few things.
Bathroom plumbing is work that takes a fair amount of experience, skill, care and knowledge.
It's even trickier below the level of the drains, which many basements are.
That's why people who are just learning plumbing are advised not to take on a basement bathroom remodel as their first big project.
You may want to talk to a plumbing contractor if you're not extremely experienced with doing plumbing work.
That doesn't mean you can't do a lot of your remodeling on your own, but it's a smart idea to know when you should call a pro.
In basements where excavation needs to be done, you'll want someone who's done it before dealing with the situation.
In basements that are above the level of the drains (you'll know by looking at where the drain exits your home), you can install piping just like an ordinary bathroom.
However, if your basement is below the drains, you'll need to have something else done.
Sewage ejector pumps are a popular choice - they lift waste water from the toilet and shower up to the level of the drains using a pump.
Another type is less invasive but more expensive, and chops all solid materials before sending waste water through smaller pressurized lines.
Look carefully at your situation before you choose the method you're going to work with.
That'll help you avoid problems later on.
You'll also want to pay attention to the size of fixtures and the amount of room you'll need in the bathroom to move around.
Make sure you offer the maximum amount of space - a half bathroom might only have to be about three feet by six feet, but that little space will feel very cramped.
A larger bathroom will be a lot more pleasant and comfortable - something you want to remember when planning your basement bathroom remodel.
A basement bathroom remodel is an excellent choice for anyone homeowner who wants to add to their home's functionality and value.
Don't spend time being frustrated and waiting for the bathroom to be free.
Install a bathroom in your basement and expand the space you have available in your home.
You'll be surprised at the difference it can make in the value and convenience of your living space.
Many homes have only one bathroom - something that can be a real pain if you have a family who all need to get ready at the same time, or if you're likely to have guests over.
No one likes to wait in line.
In addition, homes with only one bathroom do less well on the housing market, even in the best of times.
These are two big reasons that anyone would want to add another bathroom to their home, and the basement is the place that'll be the easiest and least expensive.
However, if you want to avoid some of the major pitfalls that come with this kind of renovation and make sure your experience is a smooth and pleasant one, you'll need to pay attention to a few things.
Bathroom plumbing is work that takes a fair amount of experience, skill, care and knowledge.
It's even trickier below the level of the drains, which many basements are.
That's why people who are just learning plumbing are advised not to take on a basement bathroom remodel as their first big project.
You may want to talk to a plumbing contractor if you're not extremely experienced with doing plumbing work.
That doesn't mean you can't do a lot of your remodeling on your own, but it's a smart idea to know when you should call a pro.
In basements where excavation needs to be done, you'll want someone who's done it before dealing with the situation.
In basements that are above the level of the drains (you'll know by looking at where the drain exits your home), you can install piping just like an ordinary bathroom.
However, if your basement is below the drains, you'll need to have something else done.
Sewage ejector pumps are a popular choice - they lift waste water from the toilet and shower up to the level of the drains using a pump.
Another type is less invasive but more expensive, and chops all solid materials before sending waste water through smaller pressurized lines.
Look carefully at your situation before you choose the method you're going to work with.
That'll help you avoid problems later on.
You'll also want to pay attention to the size of fixtures and the amount of room you'll need in the bathroom to move around.
Make sure you offer the maximum amount of space - a half bathroom might only have to be about three feet by six feet, but that little space will feel very cramped.
A larger bathroom will be a lot more pleasant and comfortable - something you want to remember when planning your basement bathroom remodel.
A basement bathroom remodel is an excellent choice for anyone homeowner who wants to add to their home's functionality and value.
Don't spend time being frustrated and waiting for the bathroom to be free.
Install a bathroom in your basement and expand the space you have available in your home.
You'll be surprised at the difference it can make in the value and convenience of your living space.
