If you have a bathroom in your basement or at a level in your house that is lower than the average ground and above-ground levels, setting up its plumbing system can definitely be a challenge, which is why an upflush toilet is necessary. Flushing can become a problem, considering that most plumbing systems are not designed to take into account bathrooms that are specially located. As it is not sensible or practical to rework the entire plumbing system of your house to meet such a need in this case, your best option is installing an upflush toilet.
This type of toilet uses gravity to flush waste in the bowl, working by moving the waste up to a pipe above the floor of a basement or a room on concrete slabs, instead of beneath it. It uses an electricity-powered blade called the macerator to grind waste into tiny pieces to let them easily flow through the small pipes. Though it may sound complicated, installing an up-flush toilet in your basement is actually an easy step-by-step process that you can perform yourself and complete in just a day.
1. Do The Necessary Preparations.
First of all, you need to secure the necessary tools and items, including tee fittings, hacksaw, plumber’s cement, PVC pipe and pipe fittings. Choose the location where you want to install the toilet and take down specific measurements of the area. When marking the spot out, it is important for you to consider that an electrical unit, water supply pipe and a discharge hose have to be affixed close to the toilet, which means that you should keep in mind the space when choosing the spot. Make sure you make the accurate measurements, as even the smallest discrepancy can lead to problems during and after the installation process.
2. Position The Toilet.
It is very important to place the toilet correctly, as once it is already in use, the water in the system would exponentially add to its weight. Take note that you will not be able to make adjustments later on without having to disturb the system.
3. Set Up The Utility Cables.
This type of toilet unit will require some standard utility cables to be affixed to it, including the water pipe and the power cord. The water pipe from the water system of your house will have to be fixed in the right valve, while the power cord will have to be fitted into a socket on the wall.
4. Install The Discharge Hose.
The discharge hose should travel from the upflush toilet to the upper levels of your house, where it will converge with the main draining system. You see, this toilet comes with a special backflow valve that will direct the flow. When installing the hose, ensure as much horizontal and diagonal placement as possible, as a vertical pipe system would usually experience common issues, such as drainage and blockage.
There you have it. By following these steps, you will be able to successfully install an upflush toilet in your basement!