Home
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What are the Best Tips for Installing a Basement Toilet?

Patrick Lynch
Patrick Lynch

Installing a basement toilet is generally not a difficult task and can be accomplished by anyone with a little do-it-yourself know-how. The best tips for installing a toilet in the basement include finding the right location near the main sewage line and deciding whether to use an upflush or ejector system to remove the wastage from the basement.

For either an upflush or elector system, it is imperative to find the appropriate location. The one advantage of a basement toilet is that it can be placed anywhere in the basement. The best choice for the toilet, however, is near the main sewage line because this means less plumbing is required. If an electric ejector pump is chosen, the basement toilet must be located near electric outlets.

A toilet is a plumbing receptacle for human waste.
A toilet is a plumbing receptacle for human waste.

As noted above, an upflush toilet system is one of the available options. This system ensures the basement toilet is capable of pumping water up through the sewer pipe because it is assumed the unit will be installed underneath the pipe grade. This also makes sure that the waste material is directed towards the small tank that should be either behind or at the side of the basement toilet. This tank breaks down the waste, thus pumping it into the discharge pipe. From there, the wastage comes up through the sewer pipe and away from the basement.

If the toilet is positioned lower than the sewage line level, it won't flush properly.
If the toilet is positioned lower than the sewage line level, it won't flush properly.

Another way of removing the waste from the basement toilet is via an ejector system. A basin is first dug in the basement floor; the ejector is located in this basin with waste material pumped into it when the toilet is flushed. The waste is broken down as in the upflush system, pumped into the sewer pipe, and removed from the house.

The water is then routed to the location of the toilet and connected. If an upflush system is chosen, it is installed with plumbing connected to the basement toilet. The pipes are then directed to the sewer line.

A basement toilet may feature a drain next to the basin in case of flooding.
A basement toilet may feature a drain next to the basin in case of flooding.

Before the ejector system is installed, the basins are usually dug first. Once this is done and the pump is secure, the toilet is connected to the water supply. The discharge pipe is then directed to the ejector tank; this pipe connects the sewer line to the basin.

Installing a basement toilet should generally not require the assistance of basement contractors. An extra toilet is convenient and could be included as part of a basement remodeling effort. Once the toilet is tested and the connections are found to be secure, it is then a good idea to tile around it.

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • A toilet is a plumbing receptacle for human waste.
      By: Africa Studio
      A toilet is a plumbing receptacle for human waste.
    • If the toilet is positioned lower than the sewage line level, it won't flush properly.
      By: hansenn
      If the toilet is positioned lower than the sewage line level, it won't flush properly.
    • A basement toilet may feature a drain next to the basin in case of flooding.
      By: foto76
      A basement toilet may feature a drain next to the basin in case of flooding.