When I began this project almost two years ago, I dreamed of doing this entire project for free. I know - a crazy dream! Can you really take a framed, stubbed half bath and expand it to a full bathroom and finish the entire thing for free? Maybe!
Okay, maybe not, but we are trying! I figured there were a few things I would never find for free on Craigslist. Nobody is really going to give away copper tubing and fittings, right? After all, thieves will pull the wires from houses under construction, strip the insulation and sell the copper!
At this point in the project, I just need to get it done. I can't wait around for free stuff to show up on CraigsList. So I am pretty much buying what I need at each step. Later today I will buy 14 2X4s and 6 bags of QuikCrete for the floor. It is okay, though! It is time to get the project done! I will keep looking for deals for what I need, but I will also buy what I need at the time.
So here is a financial update on this project, having just completed one stage.
Building Permit: $231.00
Cutting the floor to plumb the shower drain: $7.20 Thanks to my friend Brett, all I had to buy was some plastic drop cloths to cover the vents, washing machine, furnace, etc.
Shower drain supplies: $97.88 (I bought some 2" ABS pipe at the Habitat ReStore to vent the drain, and since I am not using it, I am hoping to re-sell it on CraigsList. Hopefully that will bring this price down.)
Water lines supplies: ? (I just bought some copper tubing and fittings today for about $80, and I hope to return some of it, so we will see...)
So as of now this project has cost me $275, including the permit, but not including the water line supplies.
Maybe I should have called this the one thousand dollar bathroom project!
My attempt to finish my basement bathroom . . .for FREE!
Your opportunity to learn how to save big money!
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Monday, November 25, 2013
I passed the first inspection!
Some people have the project that will never end. This has felt like the project that will never begin. After one year of collecting materials, I finally got a permit in March, but then didn't really start the project. I knew that the first part would be the hardest for me, as I have no experience cutting into floors and plumbing drains. So I waited, procrastinated, etc. I finally asked a friend to help me cut into the floor. Then I waited some more, did some "research" on how to properly plumb a drain, and waited longer...Yes, I am a classic procrastinator.
Like most procrastinators, I need a deadline. And I discovered on in the fine print of the building permit. If I did not start the project within 6 months of the application date, the permit would be void. Likewise, if I don't finish within 12 months, the permit will be void. I already paid way to much for a crazy permit, I don't want to pay for another!
So last week I dove in again. I knew that I wanted to connect the shower drain to the main line, but wasn't sure if there were code issues with doing that. Just to make sure I was doing everything correctly, I stopped by City Hall and talked to the building inspector. He said I could do it, but told me that I needed a back-water prevention valve to insure against sewer water backing up through the shower drain. That cost me $40, but to be honest, I was worried about this issue anyways. After all, a shower drain in a basement is a virtual floor drain, and backups are nasty, and tend to ruin nice bathrooms! However, he also told me that since I am running only a 3 foot drain to the main line, I could wet vent the drain and would not have to run vent pipes! That saved me some money! I am glad I talked to him!
On Saturday morning, armed with everything I needed, I cut into the main line. It was do-or-die. After all, there would be no flushing in our house until it was all glued back together. I purposefully waited until I had plenty of time, with many hours available to run to the store. (You don't start this kind of thing at 9 PM) It took longer than expected, but I got it done.
This afternoon, the building codes inspector stopped by and approved the drain system and told me I can fill my holes, pour concrete, and move onto the rest of the framing, plumbing, and electrical!
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| I cut the main toilet drain! |
Like most procrastinators, I need a deadline. And I discovered on in the fine print of the building permit. If I did not start the project within 6 months of the application date, the permit would be void. Likewise, if I don't finish within 12 months, the permit will be void. I already paid way to much for a crazy permit, I don't want to pay for another!
So last week I dove in again. I knew that I wanted to connect the shower drain to the main line, but wasn't sure if there were code issues with doing that. Just to make sure I was doing everything correctly, I stopped by City Hall and talked to the building inspector. He said I could do it, but told me that I needed a back-water prevention valve to insure against sewer water backing up through the shower drain. That cost me $40, but to be honest, I was worried about this issue anyways. After all, a shower drain in a basement is a virtual floor drain, and backups are nasty, and tend to ruin nice bathrooms! However, he also told me that since I am running only a 3 foot drain to the main line, I could wet vent the drain and would not have to run vent pipes! That saved me some money! I am glad I talked to him!
On Saturday morning, armed with everything I needed, I cut into the main line. It was do-or-die. After all, there would be no flushing in our house until it was all glued back together. I purposefully waited until I had plenty of time, with many hours available to run to the store. (You don't start this kind of thing at 9 PM) It took longer than expected, but I got it done.
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| You must use a "Y" connection when tying into a drain line! |
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| Note the cool clean-out access for the backwater valve! |
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