Basement Renovations
Basement Bathroom Renovations in Toronto and the GTA
A bathroom below grade has to work against gravity, moisture and limited headroom. Plan for all three and it can be as good as any upstairs.
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Adding a bathroom is often the change that makes a basement usable for guests, teenagers or a home gym. The challenge is plumbing. Upstairs, waste runs downhill to the main drain. In a basement, the fixtures may sit at or below the drain, so we either break the slab to tie in at the right depth or use an ejector or grinder pump to lift waste up to it.
Once the plumbing is solved, the rest is about moisture and air. A shower below grade needs a full waterproofing system and a properly sized exhaust fan vented outside. We pick finishes that handle a cooler, more humid space, and lay out the room so headroom works over the shower and vanity.
What is included
Basement bathrooms by Lintel
Plumbing rough-in
Slab cutting and new drains tied into the main, or an ejector pump system where the depth requires it.
Waterproofing
A complete waterproofing system in the shower and wet areas, tested before tile.
Ventilation
An exhaust fan sized for the room and ducted outside, on a timer or humidity control.
Shower and fixtures
Walk-in showers, vanities and toilets selected to suit the space and headroom.
Heated floors
Electric floor heating to take the chill off a slab floor.
Before you build
What to plan for
Know where the main drain is
The depth and location of the main drain decide whether a gravity drain works or a pump is needed. We confirm it before design, since it can change the layout and the price.
Pumps need access and power
An ejector pump needs an access panel for service and its own electrical connection. We plan both so it does not end up behind a finished wall.
FAQ
Basement bathrooms: common questions
Can you add a bathroom to a basement without a rough-in?
Yes. Without an existing rough-in, we cut the slab to run new drains to the main, or install an ejector or grinder pump if the fixtures sit below the drain. Both are common.
Do basement bathrooms need a pump?
Only when the fixtures are lower than the main drain or too far to slope properly. Many basements can drain by gravity. We check the depth of your main before recommending either option.
How do you stop a basement bathroom from getting musty?
Proper waterproofing in the shower, an exhaust fan vented outdoors and run long enough after showers, and materials suited to below-grade use. Good airflow in the rest of the basement helps too.
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Start your basement bathrooms project
Tell us a little about your project. We will call within one business day to arrange a site visit, then show you a design in 3D and a fixed price before anything is built.
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