Check for an existing rough-in
Look for capped pipes in the floor, often near the stack: a larger opening for the toilet, a smaller one for the shower and a stub in the wall for the basin. Builders sometimes installed them to code at the time but in positions that do not suit your layout. We camera the stubs to confirm they connect and are not cracked or full of debris.
When the drain is too high
The basement fixtures must drain downhill into the building drain. Where the outgoing sewer sits higher than the slab, water cannot run downhill to it, so a pumped pit or macerating unit takes over. We confirm this early so the plan does not change halfway.
| Situation | Approach |
|---|---|
| Capped stubs in a usable spot | Connect and extend |
| Stubs in the wrong place | Saw-cut and relocate drains |
| No rough-in, drain below floor | Trench to the main |
| Drain above floor | Ejector pump system |
Most faucet drips come down to a worn cartridge or seat, not a whole new fixture.
The work under the slab
- Mark the layout on the floor with the framer or designer.
- Saw-cut and remove concrete along the drain routes.
- Lay pipe at proper slope on firm bedding, with cleanouts where required.
- Run vents up through the wall to tie into the existing vent system.
- Test the drains and call for the inspector while the pipe is still visible, then backfill and pour.
Supplies and finishing
Hot and cold lines are run along the basement ceiling and dropped to each fixture. We leave shut-offs reachable and coordinate with the drywall schedule. A permit is normally required; see permits in Markham. With concrete already broken, it is the cheapest moment to add a backwater valve.
Keep an eye out
- A drip that keeps going after the handle is firm.
- Handle that is stiff or spins without stopping flow.
- Water marks on the cabinet floor under the sink.
- Shower that swings hot and cold mid-rinse.
Markham note: village-core houses tend to hide cast iron and galvanized behind plaster, while Cornell and Box Grove builds run PEX to a manifold. We ask the year your house was built so the right fittings ride along on the truck.
Straight from the phone log
How long does a basement rough-in take?
Typically a few days of plumbing work, plus time for inspection and concrete curing.
Will I need a pumped pit?
Just when the house sewer exits higher than your basement slab. A camera check answers it quickly.
Ready to get it fixed?
One call, a clear explanation, and work finished tidily before we leave.