Hi,
I recently did a complete remodel of our basement and we decided to install a small bathroom (toilet,
shower and sink).
I think the plumber did a good job. Here's what he did (see underground work photo):
- far left is the sink drain
- top/left is the shower drain (with the white plastic around it)
- middle is the toilet drain (with the lead on top of it)
All those drains go to a check/non-return valve (under the staircase) then to the main drain that goes
to city drain.
On the other photo (vent placement photo), you can see that the vent is installed starting from the sink.
The original installation from the plumber was
- a long ABS pipe going from the roof of the basement (where the photo stops),
- then outside the bathroom in the basement hall's roof (about 20 feet)
- then in the basement bedroom's roof (another 15 feet)
- then upright to the main vent
Now, the problem...
Because of clearance for the staircase with the roof, and esthetic reasons, and advice from another plumber we had to decide to let go of all the vent part that was outside the bathroom (so about 35 feet + the upright part of the main vent that goes to the house's roof, 2 stories above) and replace with a mechanical vent. I don't recall the brand but it's the costly white one that is rated for in-wall installation.
So I Installed it at about 6 feet up in the wall, just before where the ABS was turning outside the bathroom in the first installation (so about where the photo stops in vent placement photo.
Some time after I've installed my toilet (luna double flush TB351) and my sink.
My toilet doesn't flush (well, after an hour, the bowl is now to a normal level...) and when I fill my sink (with the drain closed) the minute I open the drain to let go of all the water in the sink, it's slow and I see/hear little bubbles in the toilet bowl...
My plumbing supplier told me that since I see bubble in the toilet it was 100% sure a vent problem. So I think I shouldn't cut the big vent to install my mechanical vent but:
- How can I be 100% sure that by redoing the but vent to the main house vent I'll resolve my problem (you know all the hassle of reopenning walls...).
- If any, how come 6 feet of open vent will not do the same than a much longer one?
- Can I troubleshoot anything to find another solution before redoing all my vent?
- Is there any other solution (a big vent loop in the wall behind the sink...)
- Do you see any problem with this installation after seeing the photos (can it be a drain installation problem)?
- Could it be because the check valves are improperly installed (is there any thing I can do to test the check valves function)?
I'm lost and I want to troubleshoot anything before redoing a vent in my newlly finished basement. Even if it takes time.
Thanks a lot guys,
- Eric Thibeault
I recently did a complete remodel of our basement and we decided to install a small bathroom (toilet,
shower and sink).
I think the plumber did a good job. Here's what he did (see underground work photo):
- far left is the sink drain
- top/left is the shower drain (with the white plastic around it)
- middle is the toilet drain (with the lead on top of it)
All those drains go to a check/non-return valve (under the staircase) then to the main drain that goes
to city drain.
On the other photo (vent placement photo), you can see that the vent is installed starting from the sink.
The original installation from the plumber was
- a long ABS pipe going from the roof of the basement (where the photo stops),
- then outside the bathroom in the basement hall's roof (about 20 feet)
- then in the basement bedroom's roof (another 15 feet)
- then upright to the main vent
Now, the problem...
Because of clearance for the staircase with the roof, and esthetic reasons, and advice from another plumber we had to decide to let go of all the vent part that was outside the bathroom (so about 35 feet + the upright part of the main vent that goes to the house's roof, 2 stories above) and replace with a mechanical vent. I don't recall the brand but it's the costly white one that is rated for in-wall installation.
So I Installed it at about 6 feet up in the wall, just before where the ABS was turning outside the bathroom in the first installation (so about where the photo stops in vent placement photo.
Some time after I've installed my toilet (luna double flush TB351) and my sink.
My toilet doesn't flush (well, after an hour, the bowl is now to a normal level...) and when I fill my sink (with the drain closed) the minute I open the drain to let go of all the water in the sink, it's slow and I see/hear little bubbles in the toilet bowl...
My plumbing supplier told me that since I see bubble in the toilet it was 100% sure a vent problem. So I think I shouldn't cut the big vent to install my mechanical vent but:
- How can I be 100% sure that by redoing the but vent to the main house vent I'll resolve my problem (you know all the hassle of reopenning walls...).
- If any, how come 6 feet of open vent will not do the same than a much longer one?
- Can I troubleshoot anything to find another solution before redoing all my vent?
- Is there any other solution (a big vent loop in the wall behind the sink...)
- Do you see any problem with this installation after seeing the photos (can it be a drain installation problem)?
- Could it be because the check valves are improperly installed (is there any thing I can do to test the check valves function)?
I'm lost and I want to troubleshoot anything before redoing a vent in my newlly finished basement. Even if it takes time.
Thanks a lot guys,
- Eric Thibeault