What Every New Basement Should Have
.... and probably won’t, unless you ask
Installing these plumbing items while the house is under construction will save you thousands of dollars later on, and eliminate the inconvenience and mess of having to tear up the basement floor and/or foundation walls.
* All prices shown are based on Manufacturer’s Suggested List Price
- Sump Pump
Prevent Basement Flooding for Less Than $110.00
A sump pump is an automatic water pump installed in a pit below grade (below the basement floor) to remove ground water from under and around basement floors.
One of the most important functions of sump pumps is to protect basements from flooding.
In addition, by routinely removing ground water, a sump pump reduces the possibility of the basement floors cracking and shifting from the water pressure. The basement area stays drier and feels less humid.
Since ground water levels increase in wet weather conditions, every home with a basement should have a sump pump.
- Battery Backup Sump Pump
Pump Starting at $225 + Battery Priced Under $150.00
You have a sump pump for a reason.
If it should ever fail, or should the power be interrupted during a heavy rainstorm, you could end up with a flooded basement. If the lower level in your home is used for living quarters, as many are today, this could be a disaster.
In this case, an ounce of prevention might be worth a ton of cure.
The battery backup pump is powered by a continually recharged deep-cycle battery and mounted in the same pit as the submersible pump, ready to activate in an emergency if the primary pump fails for any reason.
A water powered, backup sump pump needs to be connected to the house water supply. It has the advantage of operating during prolonged electrical outages.
- Utility Sink / Laundry Tub
Even if you plan on having a finished basement, a utility sink provides a convenient cleanup spot away from the living area.
Utility sinks are wider and heavier than conventional laundry tubs and are designed to handle larger cleaning jobs in the mud room, utility room, garage, and laundry room.
Standard utility sink faucets are generally smaller in size, offer less flexibility in use, and usually get in the way when trying to access the sink.
If at all possible, choose a single lever, high neck, kitchen or prep-sink faucet with a pull-out spout.
- Finished /or Rough-In Bath
If a basement is in the plans, adding a bathroom after construction is completed will cost several thousand dollars more than if it is installed while the house is being built.
A "rough-in" is when all but the fixtures are installed (piping, walls (studding or finished), electric and vent fans).
A half-bath will suffice if the basement will be used for entertainment only. If the basement is a "walk-out", or "daylight" basement, consider a full bath - complete with tub and/or shower.
If the fixtures need to be installed below the nearest available sewer or septic line, the waste from the drain must be lifted to the level of the main drain. An ejector pump must be installed to accomplish this.
- See Plumbing Systems - Inside the House
for more on water heater accessories, flood control, etc.
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