What a rough-in includes
Typically you get a 3 inch stub for the toilet, 2 inch for the shower, 1½ inch for the basin, plus a vent. They are capped and stub up through the concrete.
Before planning
- Confirm locations against the floor
- Check the vent connection
- Confirm drain depth relative to the sewer
- Decide if layout can stay as roughed-in
Moving fixtures
Moving drains means breaking concrete. A sewage ejector may be needed if the fixture is below sewer level.
Permits are usually required for basement bathrooms.
Help
See bathroom renovation plumbing.
Venting and the sewage ejector question
Every fixture needs a vent. In a builder rough-in, a single vent stub usually serves the group, connected to the main stack or running up through the house. If the vent was capped off or never connected, the new bathroom will gurgle and drain slowly. Confirm the connection before finishing walls.
Where the basement floor sits below the sewer connection, or the fixtures are far from the main, a sewage ejector pump in a sealed basin lifts waste to the drain. Ejectors need a dedicated circuit, a check valve and a vent. They are reliable but need occasional service.
Checking the stubs
- Uncap each stub and run water into it to confirm it drains.
- Tape from where the drywall will finish to the toilet stub centre to confirm the rough-in.
- Check the shower drain location against the planned shower size.
- Look for a cleanout and keep it accessible after finishing.
When to put the tools down
Some of this is homeowner work and some is not. Stop and phone us if you see any of these:
- Drip that will not stop at any handle position
- Shower swings hot and cold
- Lever grinding or wobbling
- Swollen, damp cabinet floor
- Anything involving the gas line, the venting or cutting into a wall