Replies

1. 
   Mooney | Aug 24, 2002 05:04pm | #1

   Actually Im doing it now . Try to relocate shutoffs in another area that would give access. Im doing that now to all utilities. ugh. Its a lot of work to do that in my case at least.

   Tim Mooney

1. 
   1Marion | Aug 27, 2002 07:06pm | #2

   Actually my other half doesn't want to move the valves etc. He put them there on purpose. My question is does anyone have experience with a false ceiling in a basement bathroom? It'll be going in and I'd like to know what to expect.

   Thx.

   M

1. 
   Mooney | Aug 28, 2002 02:49am | #3

   Well, what do the valves control? Showers dont normally have controls because the tub or shower can take the discharge in an emergency. Code calls for shut offs to sinks, lavatories,camodes, dishwashers,fridges, and a shut out side cased in plastic pipe so anyone could shut the house supply off in an emergency. Ive got rentals , and you can believe me that those are necesary. Ive experienced five flooded houses, and unless something breaks you are on your own with the insurance company.      Nuff said on that point .

   AS to your question ; I have installed several secondary ceilings to bathrooms with no negatives. However , I would not have supply plumbing over a finished ceiling for reasons obivious.      

   Tim Mooney           

2. 
   DaveRicheson | Aug 28, 2002 03:15am | #5

   We use drop ceilings in commercial restrooms and shower rooms all the time. We do not use them in the actual shower areas unless the ceiling is over 9 foot high. Use a commercial grade grid and vinyl coated panels(vinyl over water resistant drywall). Make sure you have an adequate size exhaust fan and you won't have moisture problems.

   You won't find this grade of material at the big box stores. Look for a commercial supplier and tell them what you want. The stuff we use is also used in commercial kitchens and food serving areas. It is heavey, so be sure to use the proper guage tie wire if you go this route.

   Dave

1. 
   Mooney | Aug 28, 2002 02:02pm | #6

   Thank you both for bringing up exaust fans .  [ I for got that ]Also the drop commercial ceiling would also allow access solving her imediate problems of water shut offs and supply lines being ran above.

   Tim Mooney

1. 
   1Marion | Sep 01, 2002 03:38am | #7

   Thanks for all the tips. We did have a leak from the upstairs bathroom right above the new unfinished basement one (offspring didn't close the shower curtain all the way, created a puddle on the floor which ran through a crack in the grout, drip, drip, drip...), so the drop ceiling is looking to be the best solution. Also, as we make our changes, that is, redo the previous owner's "renovations", it's easier to run cabling, etc through a drop ceiling than through a finished ceiling. Not to mention repairing and replacing the plumbing feeds for the upstairs bath. We had to do that already too! It's really easy when your ceiling below is open. Discovered a slow leak from the tub feed after we ripped out the old basement ceiling. (The things you find...)

   We do have 2 exhaust fans that will be installed in the room to move the moisture out quickly.

   Now to find those commercial suppliers here in Toronto... Any brand names that I should look for for the commercial grade products? Any recommendations?

   Thanks so much! This info makes the job SO much easier!!

2. 
   Piffin | Sep 01, 2002 05:30pm | #8

   It's very common to do this for access to plumbing etc.

   I'm sitting right now in my basement office with dropped ceiling and flourescent lights. One unintended consecquence - I had a cold water pipe unwrapped that would sweat in the summer when it's humid and drip slightly. The insulated panels limit the amt of moisture that gets to them so they sweat less and the few drips that fall hit the panel and dry up again without staining it. If you a similar problem but worse, you'll need to wrap the pipes first, especially if you don't use the waterresistant panels.

   Funny story - about twenty years ago I was called to fix a leak in a basement apt ceiling like this. It was under a bathroom above. I was told that another contractor had been paid for fixing it several years before but it appparantly hadn't held.

   So I lifted a panel aside of the leak and discoverd that the drain on thew bathtub had been dripping slightly. The way he had "fixed" it was to place a three pound coffee can under the drip. I guess it had finally filled up to run over 'cause it was full. I dumped it out, returned it to it's place and told them what the deal was and to call a plumber for a more permanent solution.Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   goldhiller | Aug 28, 2002 03:08am | #4

   1MARION,

   Yes, I have some experience with this(emphasis on "some). One of our clients has a basement bathroom with a drop ceiling. We've had to make a few repairs to the plumbing pipes above said drop ceiling and haven't incurred any problems doing so, nor have we seen any degradation of the ceiling due to moisture problems. However, there is an exhaust fan located in the ceiling near the shower and they make certain to use it whenever the shower is used. This setup has been in use for about 6 years now.