Taps that Turn you On

Read article : Taps that Turn you On

Studio Apartment Decor, Ideas, and What It Is

This kind of title poses a pretty important question. What is a studio apartment" What are studio apartments made of" Let?s begin. A studio apartme ...

02-10-2017 22:16

Badalona Refurbishment: From an Old Blacksmith Shop to a Hom

This isn’t the first time that you will hear about an old structure being renovated into a home. There are already many homes that are actually from ...

02-10-2017 22:15

20 Awesome DIY Halloween Wreaths Designs

Your Halloween decor won’t be complete without a wreath! Although you can buy a ready-made wreath, it would still be different if you make it on you ...

02-10-2017 22:15

The Daily Grind: A Pepper Mill from Architect Will Alsop

Will Alsop is taking his designs to a smaller scale. The award-winning architect discusses his new project ? a pepper mill for Alessi ...

02-10-2017 22:08

An Abnormal Monday With Abnormal Feelings…

My chrome lighting roundup post wasn’t exactly matching my emotions today. We are incredibly devastated for the families of the victims of the shoo ...

02-10-2017 22:05

Trending: Chrome Lighting

Photo Source *Please read the first post today regarding the events of this particular day. If you want to escape and read about chrome, here you go: ...

02-10-2017 22:05

A Very Jungalicious Hardware Roundup

Whether it?s a hand-me down from your mother-in-law, or a fab find from the flea, sometimes your vintage treasures need a little confidence boost. You ...

02-10-2017 22:05

An Interior Designer’s Fresh Start in West Hollywood,

...

02-10-2017 22:04

An Eclectic and Modern Bungalow in Phoenix, AZ

...

02-10-2017 22:04

Kid’s bedroom ideas: Where to find cool bunk beds

When it comes to choosing furniture, a bit of research and creative thinking goes a long way. Alex Fulton shares her tips for finding stylish bunk bed ...

02-10-2017 22:01

YUME | Bridging Sustainability + Design

A one-stop destination for sustainable design, YUME has just launched globally online. The Copenhagen-based company was founded by Anja Holm and Marie ...

02-10-2017 21:52

EasyJet to fly battery-powered planes within the next decade

UK budget airline EasyJet has paired with US firm Wright Electric to develop all-electric aircraft that can be used for its short haul flights. As pa ...

02-10-2017 21:48

Desktop Wallpaper: October 2017

It’s a no brainer that we’re fans of LA-based interior designer  ...

02-10-2017 21:45

Get Inspired By This Small Home Project

Want to remodel your home" Make the most of your inspiration with this project! The need for remodelling your house is in great change. If you?re look ...

02-10-2017 21:42

Room of the Week :: A Moody Bedroom with Vintage Vibes

I remember bookmarking this moody bedroom last year when looking for inspiration for our own attic. What struck me the most about this space was the u ...

02-10-2017 21:38

Ottoman/Pouf Round-Up

Via Coco Lapine Design What is functional and an accessory at the same time" An ottoman/pouf! I love adding one of these to a living room. They’re p ...

02-10-2017 21:38

Our entrance ready for fall

MAKING OUR ENTRANCE READY FOR FALL I have for a long time been thinking about finding a large pot and a wintergreen tree for our entrance. And a coupl ...

02-10-2017 21:38

Monday Inspiration | Raena Interiors

The weekend flew by did it not"  It was so nice to see my boys Friday in Greenville.  Mom joined me for a quick trip to the purple-gold meet and we ...

02-10-2017 21:38

1930s modernism: The Lubetkin Penthouse in the Highpoint II

1930s modernism: The Lubetkin Penthouse in the Highpoint II building, London N6 We have featured the Highpoint buildings in the past, but The Lubetkin ...

02-10-2017 21:37

The serene Bergen home of Gunn Kristin Monsen

Hej! I hope you had a wonderful weekend"! It\'s been pouring all day here in South Sweden, but I kinda don\'t mind a wet Monday, do you" I mean it\'s ...

02-10-2017 21:37

Let’s play house! A bunk bed converted to playhouse

This is a hack of the IKEA KURA into a playhouse bunk bed. It offers a neat space beneath the bed for play, with the ladder converted for additional s ...

02-10-2017 21:37

Williams-Sonoma Home Must Haves

As you might remember, I hosted a joint Habitually Chic 10 Year Anniversary and Williams-Sonoma Home new Chelsea store opening party last week. So ma ...

02-10-2017 21:36

Amaze Me Monday #234

Welcome to Amaze Me Monday #234!Have you finished decorating for fall"  I've finished the front porch, so be sure to take a peek while you're ...

02-10-2017 21:36

Deco Trend: Minerals

 It?s elementary: investing in objects forged from South Africa?s precious metals will add lustre to your living spaces.  Here are some items you must ...

02-10-2017 21:36

Design Meets Architecture: Thomas Heatherwick

If you have been following the buzz leading to the official opening of The Zeitz Museum Of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) then you... The post ...

02-10-2017 21:36

A Light And Bright Restaurant In Singapore

A light and bright restaurant in Singapore shows that simplicity can be remarkable. Odette, award-winning chef Julien Royer?s first restaurant, is loc ...

02-10-2017 21:36

~easy faux concrete pumpkins~ {DIY}

I am seriously obsessed with this look right now. I kinda want to give everything the "concrete treatment"But lets start with pumpkins, because it\'s ...

02-10-2017 21:36

How to save lots of money and create an unusual garden

My friend Anna has a wonderful, unusual garden. And practically everything in it has been swapped or acquired for free. Swapping and recycling doesn†...

01-10-2017 22:03

Simple Scandinavian Living Room Styling

Sponsored post in collaboration with Nest.co.ukI had a little time this weekend and I finally styled my own living room a little bit, so before I star ...

01-10-2017 21:55

A Serene Sunday Space

Arh søndag. Dig kan jeg godt lide. Sådan har det nu ikke altid været, men efter vi har indført en fast søndags-tradition med, at Mads går til bageren ...

01-10-2017 21:55

This One Small Change Transformed my Morning Routine

  “There’s little in life that’s more satisfying than smelling that coffee scent first thing when you wake up.�   This post is in partnershi ...

01-10-2017 21:37

Casa OM1 Allows Nature Interaction with Its Gardens

Isn’t it nice to live in a house that is surrounded by nature" It would be very relaxing if you see plants everywhere! Although we can actually add ...

30-09-2017 22:22

How to make spaces look a million bucks

You can you totally make a space look expensive and a million bucks, it’s all out being insightful and stretching that dollar. Firstly, none of us c ...

30-09-2017 22:08

LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL CHEAT SHEET

London Design Festival is the fast and furious design celebration and it’s happening all over the city, right now. If you love design, this is your ...

30-09-2017 22:08

RESTAURANT CRUSH: PLOT

PLOT is my new restaurant crush. Based in cool and trendy Tooting this small but perfectly formed restaurant is the place to hang out. Close to the en ...

30-09-2017 22:08

MY GUIDE TO DECOREX 2017

Sunday kicked off this year’s London Design Festival with the fabulous Decorex. Held at Syon Park again with over 400 hand-selected brands, exclusiv ...

30-09-2017 22:08

5 ways to kick start the autumn season

I love, love a new season particularly the autumn. The move indoors, the emphasis on making indoors as sumptuous and beautiful as possible. New arriva ...

30-09-2017 22:08

Read up

New from ILIV is the Story Time Fairy Tale fabric collection in 100% cotton, whose prints and patterns are sure to spark young imaginations and encour ...

30-09-2017 21:45

The Hepworth Limited Print Collection by Atelier by Mintstud

The fab Danish collection pays homage to British artist and sculptor, Barbara Hepworth, a pioneer who broke into the artistic scene when only a few w ...

30-09-2017 21:37

5 ways with the NAP chair

On my long list of things to do in our home (once I’ve won the lottery), is getting a new set of chairs (maybe the NAP chair) for our recently renov ...

30-09-2017 21:36

How to Plumb a Basement Bathroom

Read article : How to Plumb a Basement Bathroom

Adding a basement bathroom

Adding a basement bathroom is a big, complicated project. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Thousands of DIYers successfully tackle the job every year, and so can you.

We will focus on installing the “DWV” system (drain, waste and vent), which is the most difficult part of plumbing a basement bathroom. The DWV system requires some hard labor—breaking up concrete—and enough know-how to construct it so waste will be carried away without problems. You supply the labor; this article will supply the know-how.

The materials for the DWV system shown here cost about $250. Plumbers’ labor rates vary a lot by region, but most licensed pros would charge $1,200 to $2,000 for a job similar to the one shown here.

Figure A: Plumbing a basement bath

Connect the basement bathroom plumbing to the existing drain and vent lines in the floor and ceiling.

Find the main drain line

Photo 1: Locate the main drain

Break through the concrete to verify that the main line is where you think it is and that it’s deep enough to allow adequate downhill slope in the new drain lines.

You’ll have to connect new drain lines to an existing line under the basement. So before you can do any real planning, you have to find that line. First, locate the “main stack,” the large (3 or 4 in. diameter) vertical pipe that runs into the basement floor. From there, the pipe runs under the floor and out to the city sewage system under the street. But it may run at an angle rather than straight out to the street. Look for a cleanout plug along the street-facing wall of the basement. If you find one, that’s most likely the spot where the line exits your home. And usually, the line runs straight from the main stack to the cleanout.

If you have a private septic system, your main line will run toward the location of the drain field. If you’re unsure where the line is, you have a couple of options. You can punch through the floor where you think it is (Photo 1). You might end up enlarging that hole or breaking a second exploratory hole, but that’s not as bad as it sounds; all it will cost you is some wasted time and a couple of extra bags of concrete mix when you patch the floor. Your second option is to get a plumber to help. In most areas, a brief house call will cost you $75 to $150. Some plumbers have access to high-tech equipment that locates lines precisely, but expect to pay $200 for that service.

Slope Makes the Sewage Flow

Drain lines require a downhill slope of at least 1/4 in. per linear foot (see note below) so that waste flows smoothly through the pipes. To determine if your plan allows for that, take a few measurements:

A: The depth of the center of the main line (at the tie-in point).
B: The future depth of the horizontal pipe beneath the drain.

Now do a little math: (A – B) x 4 = the maximum length (in feet) of the drain line, from the main to the end of the horizontal pipe under the drain. If A is 13 in. and B is 10 in., for example, the maximum length of the drain line is 12 ft. (13 – 10 = 3; 3 x 4 = 12).

If your main line isn’t deep enough, you’ll have to locate fixtures closer to the line or install a sewage ejection pump.

Note: Some local codes allow 1/8 in. per foot with 3- or 4-in. pipe.

Plan the system

Once you’ve located the line, you’ll have to make sure it’s deep enough to allow downward slope in the new drain lines that will run from your future bathroom. Then grab a pencil and mark out the whole bathroom on the basement floor: walls, toilet, sink, shower and finally the drain lines.

Consider it all a preplan at this point. Chances are, you’ll have to make some changes as the plan develops. You may want to mock up sections of the system and lay them out on the basement floor using sections of pipe and an assortment of fittings. When the whole system is planned, mark it out on the floor. For photo clarity, we marked out bold lines on the floor. But simple spray paint is fine for drain lines.

Rent a Snapper

A cast iron pipe snapper works by tightening a cutting chain until the pipe cracks. They’re available at tool rental stores. Old cast iron pipe can crush rather than crack. If that happens, you’ll have to abandon the snapper and cut the slow way: with a reciprocating saw. If you have plastic pipe, cutting into the main is quick and easy with a reciprocating saw.

Trench the floor

A plain old sledgehammer will bust up a basement floor. Breaking through at the tie-in point (see Photo 1) may take a few dozen whacks. But once you have a starter hole, the job gets easier because the concrete has space to crack and break off. Within a few minutes, you’ll learn to aim your blows and bust out a neat trench line. Pick out the larger chunks of concrete as you go. Ideally, most of your trench will be just wide enough for your spade. When digging, toss the dirt on a pile separate from the larger chunks of concrete. You don’t want big chunks in the soil you’ll use for backfill later.

Build the drain system

Photo 2: Break out a section of drain

After completing the trenches for the new lines, cut into the main line so you can install a Y-fitting. Our tie-in point was near an existing hub, so we cut out the hub. Make sure no one runs water (or flushes!) while the line is open.

Photo 3: Tie into the drain

Slip rubber couplers onto the main line, insert the Y-fitting, slide the couplers over the joints and tighten the bands. Then plug the inlet and grant your family the freedom to flush again.

Photo 4: Build the drain system

The location of the drains and vents is critical—check and double-check your work before you glue joints together. Determine where the exact location of the shower drain will be after the walls are framed. Cap open pipes to keep sewer gas out of your home. Don’t bury the lines until the building inspector has approved your work.

Photo 5: Patch the floor

Backfill the trench with soil and screed 3 in. of concrete over it. Pack the soil firmly so it won’t settle later. Smooth the concrete with a steel trowel.

Begin the drain system by cutting into the main line (Photo 2) and splicing in a Y-fitting (Photo 3). We used a no-hub cast iron Y-fitting to tie into our cast iron main. But you can use a plastic Y-fitting instead if you glue short sections of pipe into the Y-fitting to accommodate the rubber couplers. Use that same method to tie into a plastic main.

For your DWV system, you can use ABS plastic (as we did; Photo 4) or PVC. Both are easy to cut and join. The hard part of any underground pipe work is building branches that end up exactly where you want them while maintaining a constant slope of at least 1/4 in. per running foot.

Here are tips to help you get it right:

• Buy twice as many fittings as you think you’ll need and a few types that you don’t think you’ll need. Return the leftovers when the job is done.
• If you don’t have a torpedo level, buy one (see Photo 7). It’s the handiest tool for checking the slope of pipes.
• When a section of pipe is complete, pack dirt under and around it to keep it from shifting as you build other sections.
• Know the “rough-in” of your toilet (the distance from the wall to the center of the drain, most likely 12 in.). Don’t forget to account for the thickness of framing and drywall.
• Backfill the trenches with care (Photo 5). You want to pack the soil tightly to prevent settling later, but be sure not to move the pipes as you tamp the soil.

Build the vent system

Photo 6: Build the vent system

After framing the bathroom walls, assemble the vent lines. We ran our vent lines below the floor joists and later framed a lower ceiling to hide the pipes.

Photo 7: Connect to an existing vent

Glue short sections of plastic pipe into a T- or Y-fitting, cut out a section of the existing vent pipe and make connections with rubber couplers.

Photo 8: Position the shower drain

Set the shower pan in place and measure from the walls to determine the exact location of the drain. Assemble the drain and trap without glue. Then set the pan in place again to check your work before you finally glue up the fittings.

The vent system is a lot simpler than the drain system. We ran vent lines under the floor joists (Photo 6) and framed in a lower ceiling later. If you want to preserve ceiling height by running pipes through the joists, you’ll have to bore some large holes, which can weaken the joists. To avoid that, see “How to drill through floor joists.”

In most basements, you can tie your new vent system into the line that vents the laundry sink. Our plumbing inspector allowed us to connect our new 2-in. vent line to an existing 1-1/2-in. vent. Before cutting a section out of the old steel vent, we installed extra metal strapping to support the pipe during and after cutting.

Note: Plumbing codes vary by locality. The rules we give in this article generally follow the strictest codes. Your local rules may be more lenient about issues like vent sizing, the choice of fittings, etc.

Waste line Q & A

When should I use a T-fitting?

Use a T-fitting in drain lines to connect a horizontal pipe to vertical pipes. It can also be used to tie vent lines into horizontal drains or to join vent lines.

When should I use a Y?

In the drain system, use a Y-fitting to connect horizontal pipes (Photo 3). Along with a 45-degree “street” fitting, you can use a Y-fitting to run vertical drainpipes into horizontal pipes as shown. A Y-fitting can also be used in vent systems.

Why does the home center carry three different types of L-fittings?

• A standard L-fitting is used for horizontal-to- vertical flow in drain systems.
• A “sweep” or “long-turn” L-fitting is OK for almost any situation and is required in two situations: horizontal-to-horizontal turns and vertical-to-horizontal turns (as shown). But it can be used in any situation where space allows.
• Use a vent L-fitting only in vents.

What’s a street fitting?

Standard fittings have hubs that fit over pipes. A street fitting has a “streeted” end that fits into a hub, so you can connect it directly to another fitting without using a section of pipe. That saves labor and space.

What size drainpipe should I use?
The toilet requires 3-in. or larger. Use 2-in. for the others; pipes smaller than 2 in. aren’t allowed beneath a concrete slab.

Venting Q & A

Vent L-fitting

A vent L-fitting can be used anywhere in the vent system, but only in the vent system—never where waste flows. The other two types of L-fittings are OK for venting, too.

What’s the vent for?
A plumbing vent is kind of like the air intake on a gas can; it lets in air. Without venting, a slug of sewage racing through a waste line creates air pressure and vacuum in the pipe. That means noisy, gurgling drains. Even worse, vacuum can suck all the water out of traps, allowing sewer gas to flow freely into your home. Yuck.

Vent-to-trap distance—there’s a limit
Every drain needs a trap, and every trap needs a vent. The maximum distance between the trap and vent depends on the diameter of the pipe.

Memorize these distances for midterm exams:

For 1-1/4″ pipe, the max. horizontal distance to vent is 30″ For 1-1/2″ pipe, the max. horizontal distance to vent is 42” For 2″ pipe, the max. horizontal distance to vent is 5′ For 3″ pipe, the max. horizontal distance to vent is 6′ For 4″ pipe, the max. horizontal distance to vent is 10′

Note: A toilet has a built-in trap, so it doesn’t need one in the drain line. It still needs a vent, though.

Can vents run horizontally?
Yes, but horizontal vent lines must be at least 6 in. above the “spill line,” which is the level where water would overflow the rim of a sink, tub or toilet.

What size vent pipes do I need?
A typical bathroom like the one we show (sink, toilet, shower or tub) requires a 2-in. vent. You could run smaller pipes to the sink or shower, but it’s usually easier to use one size for the whole system.

Required Tools for this Project

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.

In addition you will need a cast iron pipe snapper and a
torpedo level.

Required Materials for this Project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.