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Up-flush system for basement finish

| Posted in General Discussion on June 2, 2001 02:57am

*
I am planning to finish a basement with a full bath ( stool, whirlpool, shower, vanity ) and a small kitchen. The basement slab is 3′ below the sewer lines so I will have to have a system to pump the sewage up. To make matters worse, there is a sump pit right under where the home owners want the shower. All the drain tile runs into the pit and the pump runs frequently during wet weather.

I have never had to pump sewage up before so I dont know the best way to go about it. Also do I have to move the sump pit to a closet which will be nearby, or can I run it into a sewage pit under the shower?

Another problem is that the kitchen will be on the other side of the basement. There is not enough fall to run the sink drain to the bathroom. What is the best way to pump the water up from a sink? The sink will have a garbage disposal. I would appreciate any advice.

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  1. bill_burns | Jun 01, 2001 05:03am | #1

    *
    dan,
    i think you should consult the code in your area before you get too deep in this one.
    the shower over the pit is a future problem waiting to happen, and the drainage of ground water is not allowed into most municipal systems. putting the same water into a septic system will likely overload it as well.
    you must also be careful with venting an upflush system because it will often have waste sitting in it.
    if you are contracting this job and doing it yourself, i strongly suggest getting a plumber involved. let him have the responsibility of making this work. i think you will sleep better at night.

    1. bill_burns | Jun 01, 2001 05:18am | #2

      *dan, sorry if this is a brief version of a longer message i tried to post, but, the bottom line is if you are not a plumber, get one involved. this is not a system to mess with if you don't have much plumbing experience.. the shower over the pit will be a problem: how to get to pump to hook it up if the shower is on it? think this one over before you get in too deep.

      1. Dave_Richeson | Jun 02, 2001 02:57am | #3

        *Dan, I've used a Zollier "Quick John" to do above the slab installations of basement bathrooms. The pump in the holding tank will lift waste 7 to 8 feet easily, and the sink and shower can drain to the holding tank also. The " Quick John" comes with excellent instructions and meets code in my area. Zollier also makes a crock that will fit inside a base cabinet for the same purpose in a kitchen. Both have check valves to prevent "fall back" of waste into the tanks, and the tanks are vented much like other fixtures. Check with your local plumbing supply source and they will have a Zollier or something similar. Most of them will give you enough advice to get you through your project.Good luck.

  2. danny_zeigler | Jun 02, 2001 02:57am | #4

    *
    I am planning to finish a basement with a full bath ( stool, whirlpool, shower, vanity ) and a small kitchen. The basement slab is 3' below the sewer lines so I will have to have a system to pump the sewage up. To make matters worse, there is a sump pit right under where the home owners want the shower. All the drain tile runs into the pit and the pump runs frequently during wet weather.

    I have never had to pump sewage up before so I dont know the best way to go about it. Also do I have to move the sump pit to a closet which will be nearby, or can I run it into a sewage pit under the shower?

    Another problem is that the kitchen will be on the other side of the basement. There is not enough fall to run the sink drain to the bathroom. What is the best way to pump the water up from a sink? The sink will have a garbage disposal. I would appreciate any advice.

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