Basement Bathroom Addition in Columbus, OH
Columbus Basement Finishing connects Columbus homeowners with local contractors who add bathrooms to basements. The deciding factor is drainage: whether drain lines were roughed in when the house was built, or the slab has to be cut, or a pump system is needed to lift waste to the sewer line. The contractor checks this at the free in-home visit.
- Free in-home estimate from a local contractor
- Moisture and radon dealt with before the walls go up
- Permits and inspections handled by the contractor
Why a basement bathroom is different
Upstairs, waste water runs downhill to the sewer line. In a basement the fixtures may sit below that line, or the drain pipes may be buried under several inches of concrete. Getting waste out is the whole challenge, and there are three ways it is handled:
- Existing rough-in. The builder left capped drain pipes in the slab. Fixtures connect to them with little or no concrete work. This is the least expensive case.
- Cutting the slab. A trench is cut in the floor, new drain lines are laid with the right fall, and the concrete is patched. Dusty and more costly, but permanent and reliable.
- A pump system. Where gravity will not do it, a sewage ejector pump in a sealed pit, or an up-flush unit behind the toilet, lifts waste to the main line.
Half bath or full bath
A half bath has a toilet and sink. A full bath adds a shower or tub, which needs a larger drain, waterproofing for the wet area and more ventilation. If the basement will have a bedroom or guest suite, a full bath is worth the extra.
Other things the plan must cover
- Ventilation. A fan vented to the outside, not into the joist space.
- Moisture-tolerant materials. Cement board behind tile, and flooring that copes with water.
- Heat. Basement bathrooms can be cold. Ask about a supply duct or electric floor heat.
- Ceiling height for a shower, which can be tight under ducts.
Planning ahead
If a bathroom is not in this year's budget, have the drains roughed in while the basement is being finished. Doing it later means tearing up a finished floor.
See basement bedroom and in-law suite for projects that usually include a bathroom.
How it works
Tell us about your basement
Answer five quick questions online.
Get matched
We pass your request to a local basement contractor who covers your area.
In-home estimate
They inspect the space, talk through your plans and give you a written price.
Decide
There is no obligation. Go ahead only if the plan and the price suit you.
Basement Bathroom Addition FAQs
How do I know if my basement has a bathroom rough-in?
Look for capped pipes coming up through the slab, usually a group of two or three in one spot. Many newer central Ohio homes have them. The contractor can confirm what each pipe is for.
What if the sewer line is higher than the basement floor?
Then waste has to be pumped up to it. A sewage ejector pump in a sealed pit, or an up-flush system, does this. It adds cost and needs a power supply, but it makes a bathroom possible almost anywhere.
Other services
Basement Remodeling
Updating a basement that is already finished, from new flooring to a full redesign.
Learn moreBasement Bedroom
A legal bedroom downstairs, with the escape window and ceiling height the code asks for.
Learn moreEgress Window Installation
Cutting in an escape window and well so a basement room is safe and can be a bedroom.
Learn moreBasement Bars & Wet Bars
A dry bar or a wet bar with sink and fridge, built into a finished basement.
Learn moreBasement Home Theater
A media room planned around sight lines, sound control and wiring before the drywall goes on.
Learn moreBasement Home Gym
A workout room with the right floor, ventilation and enough headroom for the equipment.
Learn moreBasement Home Office
A quiet, well-lit workspace away from the rest of the house.
Learn moreBasement Kitchenette
A compact kitchen for entertaining or for a relative living downstairs.
Learn moreBasement In-Law Suite
A self-contained space with bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette for family or guests.
Learn moreBasement Flooring
Floors that tolerate a concrete slab and the odd damp spell, laid over the right underlay.
Learn moreBasement Ceilings
Drywall, drop or painted open ceilings, chosen around headroom and access to pipes.
Learn moreBasement Waterproofing
Stopping water and damp before a basement is finished, so the new work stays dry.
Learn moreBasement Framing & Insulation
The walls behind the walls, built to stay dry and keep the room warm.
Learn moreBasement Playroom
A safe, hard-wearing space for kids that can become a teen room or den later.
Learn moreAreas we serve near Columbus, OH
Columbus Basement Finishing serves Columbus, OH and surrounding communities, including Grandview Heights, Upper Arlington, Bexley, Grove City, Gahanna, Hilliard, Worthington, Reynoldsburg, Westerville, Dublin, New Albany, Canal Winchester, Pickerington, Powell and Delaware.