Comments on: Finishing a Basement Bathroom – Part 12 http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/02/09/finishing-a-basement-bathroom-part-12/ Home improvement, maintenance and repair projects. Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:34:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Finishing a Basement Bathroom - The Complete Series | HandymanHowto.com http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/02/09/finishing-a-basement-bathroom-part-12/#comment-1413 Finishing a Basement Bathroom - The Complete Series | HandymanHowto.com Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:06:43 +0000 http://www.handymanhowto.com/?p=1410#comment-1413 [...] Part 12 – Installing the toilet flange, setting the toilet, hooking up the water line. [...] [...] Part 12 – Installing the toilet flange, setting the toilet, hooking up the water line. [...]

]]> By: Bob Jackson http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/02/09/finishing-a-basement-bathroom-part-12/#comment-463 Bob Jackson Mon, 11 May 2009 23:38:47 +0000 http://www.handymanhowto.com/?p=1410#comment-463 Hmm, here's a better link to Part 1 of the series with an annotated photo that calls out the vent pipe. Scroll down about 1/2 through the page: http://www.handymanhowto.com/2008/10/04/finishing-a-basement-bathroom-part-1/ Hmm, here’s a better link to Part 1 of the series with an annotated photo that calls out the vent pipe. Scroll down about 1/2 through the page:

http://www.handymanhowto.com/2008/10/04/finishing-a-basement-bathroom-part-1/

]]> By: Bob Jackson http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/02/09/finishing-a-basement-bathroom-part-12/#comment-462 Bob Jackson Mon, 11 May 2009 23:36:51 +0000 http://www.handymanhowto.com/?p=1410#comment-462 Hi Christine, To determine if the builders roughed in a vent pipe to the roof for the sewage basin, you'll need to look around for an open PVC pipe in the overhead crawl space like the one in this photo: http://www.handymanhowto.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/floor-to-ceiling-plumbing.jpg My vent pipe was a straight shot to the roof, I could see daylight when looking directly into the pipe. Good luck! Hi Christine,
To determine if the builders roughed in a vent pipe to the roof for the sewage basin, you’ll need to look around for an open PVC pipe in the overhead crawl space like the one in this photo:
http://www.handymanhowto.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/floor-to-ceiling-plumbing.jpg

My vent pipe was a straight shot to the roof, I could see daylight when looking directly into the pipe.

Good luck!

]]> By: Christine http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/02/09/finishing-a-basement-bathroom-part-12/#comment-461 Christine Mon, 11 May 2009 20:24:02 +0000 http://www.handymanhowto.com/?p=1410#comment-461 I'm so glad I stumbled across your series here! I was beginning to read up on adding a basement bathroom that has an existing rough-in so I can plan ahead for when I get to finishing mine myself. You inadvertantly answered questions I already had, and the pictures and explanations, even product recommendations were excellent! Here's a question for ya, how can I tell if the builders already have an existing vent pipe in place for the bathroom rough in? Thanks, Christine I’m so glad I stumbled across your series here! I was beginning to read up on adding a basement bathroom that has an existing rough-in so I can plan ahead for when I get to finishing mine myself. You inadvertantly answered questions I already had, and the pictures and explanations, even product recommendations were excellent!
Here’s a question for ya, how can I tell if the builders already have an existing vent pipe in place for the bathroom rough in?
Thanks,
Christine

]]> By: Bob Jackson http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/02/09/finishing-a-basement-bathroom-part-12/#comment-441 Bob Jackson Sat, 18 Apr 2009 03:22:29 +0000 http://www.handymanhowto.com/?p=1410#comment-441 Hmm, I checked the link to Part 13 and it's working OK. This is the URL in case you're still having trouble: http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/02/12/finishing-a-basement-bathroom-part-13/ The complete basement bathroom series is here: http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/02/28/finishing-a-basement-bathroom-the-complete-series/ Thanks for reading, Bob Hmm, I checked the link to Part 13 and it’s working OK.

This is the URL in case you’re still having trouble:

http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/02/12/finishing-a-basement-bathroom-part-13/

The complete basement bathroom series is here:
http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/02/28/finishing-a-basement-bathroom-the-complete-series/

Thanks for reading,
Bob

]]> By: Don Farquhar http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/02/09/finishing-a-basement-bathroom-part-12/#comment-440 Don Farquhar Sat, 18 Apr 2009 02:41:31 +0000 http://www.handymanhowto.com/?p=1410#comment-440 I have learned quite a bit so far... Would it be possible to check the link for Finishing a Basement Bathroom - Part 13? The whole page does not seem to load. Respectfully, Don Farquhar I have learned quite a bit so far… Would it be possible to check the link for Finishing a Basement Bathroom – Part 13? The whole page does not seem to load.

Respectfully,
Don Farquhar

]]> By: Bob Jackson http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/02/09/finishing-a-basement-bathroom-part-12/#comment-433 Bob Jackson Thu, 02 Apr 2009 01:31:39 +0000 http://www.handymanhowto.com/?p=1410#comment-433 Thanks for the feedback about grouting the toilet, I see your point. In my opinion, the main risk for a leak developing around the wax ring/gasket is movement of the toilet with respect to the floor. Wax only compresses and doesn't expand, so if the toilet were to shift by a minor amount - say after months/years of use - the wax seal could be broken. Grouting makes for a rock solid base - and it improves appearance. (Aside: See Part 12 at http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/02/09/finishing-a-basement-bathroom-part-12/ for details about the wax gasket.) If someone is concerned about not knowing if there were a leak, then grouting the front and sides while leaving say 4 inches at the rear of the toilet ungrouted would be an option. This way the ungrouted area between the toilet and wall wouldn't be seen. I can also see removing the toilet being more difficult if grouted in. I think a bit of careful work with a Dremel tool and grout removal bit would be enough to break it free. I hope I never have to find out. Plastic shims are often used to stabilize the toilet if there are high/low spots with respect to the floor. My concern is shims can shift over time. Out of curiosity I checked the other toilets in my home. The ones on a tile floor are grouted in - not by me, but by the builder. The other one is on a wood floor with no caulk or grout. Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts! Bob Jackson Thanks for the feedback about grouting the toilet, I see your point.

In my opinion, the main risk for a leak developing around the wax ring/gasket is movement of the toilet with respect to the floor. Wax only compresses and doesn’t expand, so if the toilet were to shift by a minor amount – say after months/years of use – the wax seal could be broken. Grouting makes for a rock solid base – and it improves appearance. (Aside: See Part 12 at http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/02/09/finishing-a-basement-bathroom-part-12/ for details about the wax gasket.)

If someone is concerned about not knowing if there were a leak, then grouting the front and sides while leaving say 4 inches at the rear of the toilet ungrouted would be an option. This way the ungrouted area between the toilet and wall wouldn’t be seen.

I can also see removing the toilet being more difficult if grouted in. I think a bit of careful work with a Dremel tool and grout removal bit would be enough to break it free. I hope I never have to find out.

Plastic shims are often used to stabilize the toilet if there are high/low spots with respect to the floor. My concern is shims can shift over time.

Out of curiosity I checked the other toilets in my home. The ones on a tile floor are grouted in – not by me, but by the builder. The other one is on a wood floor with no caulk or grout.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts!

Bob Jackson

]]> By: Pete http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/02/09/finishing-a-basement-bathroom-part-12/#comment-432 Pete Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:28:03 +0000 http://www.handymanhowto.com/?p=1410#comment-432 Great job and blog Bob. You definetly could be doing this for a living. The only, and I repeat only thing I don't agree with in this whole series is the grouting of the toilet bowl base to floor. No need to and should be left as is . No caulk ,grout or sealant of any type. If a wax ring leak ever devlops you'll never know until irreparable damage is done to either the floor (or ceiling, 2nd floor or above application)below. Also makes future bowl removal next to impossible without damaging floor or bowl finish. Toilet bowl removal is part of relatively routine plumbing repair procedure. Break out that Stanley chisel Bob. Pete Great job and blog Bob. You definetly could be doing this for a living.
The only, and I repeat only thing I don’t agree with in this whole series is the grouting of the toilet bowl base to floor.

No need to and should be left as is . No caulk ,grout or sealant of any type.
If a wax ring leak ever devlops you’ll never know until irreparable damage is done to either the floor (or ceiling, 2nd floor or above application)below. Also makes future bowl removal next to impossible without damaging floor or bowl finish. Toilet bowl removal is part of relatively routine plumbing repair procedure. Break out that Stanley chisel Bob.
Pete

]]> By: Finishing a Basement Bathroom - Part 11 | HandymanHowto.com http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/02/09/finishing-a-basement-bathroom-part-12/#comment-195 Finishing a Basement Bathroom - Part 11 | HandymanHowto.com Fri, 13 Feb 2009 01:58:28 +0000 http://www.handymanhowto.com/?p=1410#comment-195 [...] Next, I’ll set the toilet and sink/vanity and test the system with “clean” water before opening the bathroom for general use. Click here for Part 12 of this series. [...] [...] Next, I’ll set the toilet and sink/vanity and test the system with “clean” water before opening the bathroom for general use. Click here for Part 12 of this series. [...]

]]> By: How to Install a Bathroom Vanity, Faucet and Drain Plumbing | HandymanHowto.com http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/02/09/finishing-a-basement-bathroom-part-12/#comment-191 How to Install a Bathroom Vanity, Faucet and Drain Plumbing | HandymanHowto.com Fri, 13 Feb 2009 01:39:54 +0000 http://www.handymanhowto.com/?p=1410#comment-191 [...] bathroom vanity and plumbing is installed in this episode of the project series. Click here if you missed Part 12, which details the toilet installation. Bathroom Vanity and [...] [...] bathroom vanity and plumbing is installed in this episode of the project series. Click here if you missed Part 12, which details the toilet installation. Bathroom Vanity and [...]

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