Plumbing – Which pipes are what in this basement rough-in

basementplumbing

I have an unfinished basement that has rough-ins for plumbing. I would like to finish it some day, and I'm trying to envision what a bathroom would look like.

What purpose are the pipes for? Toilet? Tub/Shower? Sink? Wetbar?

basement pipes

Best Answer

The small one in the top left coming out of the floor is likely for a shower or tub. The larger diameter pipe coming out of the floor is almost certainly for a toilet. The smaller pipe to the right of the toilet that continues up is for the lavatory (i.e. sink).

You can tell these things because:

  1. The toilet requires a 3" rough-in.
  2. Showers and tubs require rough-ins within the floor and the rough-in must contain a P-trap. So you can confirm that pipe in the top left is for a shower or tub by taking off the cap and pouring some water in it. If it "fills up" some before draining, you'll know it has a P-trap and is indeed for a shower or tub.
  3. The sanitary tee in the pipe that continues up is placed approximately correctly for a vanity sink.