Waste water pumps

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SirHumphreyAppleby

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#273314 16-Aug-2020 08:51

We are planning on redoing a bathroom which has the bath raised above the ground with a large step around it. Our preference is to replace this with a shower in approximately the same location.

The bath is easily removed, but the drain outlet is about 12" above the ground and the shower would still require a step to access if we relied on gravity alone. Moving the shower is an option, but we'd only be able to reduce the height by 2-3".

I note there are pumps available which operate automatically. They appear to be designed to lift water several meters rather than inches, so I'm concerned these would cause other problems such as forcing water through other gravity-fed drains.

Does anyone have any experience with these types of installations and could comment on the suitability of pumps for such purposes?

PeterReader

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Bung

3449 posts

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#2542056 16-Aug-2020 09:28

Why is the outlet so high above floor level? Is it a basement conversion below the natural sewer level?

SirHumphreyAppleby

1392 posts

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#2542125 16-Aug-2020 10:46

Bung: Why is the outlet so high above floor level? Is it a basement conversion below the natural sewer level?

Yes, it's a converted basement. I'm not sure of the exact sewer location, but the pipe goes into the toilet (next room) and out a few inches off the ground. Because the section is sloping, I expect the sewer follows the ground contour and is most likely above the shower at that point. It may be possible to re-route the pipes at a slightly lower level, but we're not going to know until we open everything up.

shk292

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#2542161 16-Aug-2020 12:07

How about something like this? https://www.whalepumps.com/marine/product-application-items.aspx?Category_ID=10021&FriendlyID=Electric-grey-waste-pumps

Commonly fitted in boats

SirHumphreyAppleby

1392 posts

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#2542233 16-Aug-2020 13:21

shk292:

How about something like this?

Commonly fitted in boats

I'm open to suggestions. Any solution must comply with any regulations. I'm not sure if boat parts would necessarily comply.

The slim drains look good though. They'd allow the shower to be installed very close to ground level.

Bung

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#2542250 16-Aug-2020 14:01

We have a basement conversion where the bathroom is higher than the main but the sewer is going downhill so the pipes run more or less in parallel for about 4m before joining at a lower point. A solution like that is always better than relying on a pump.

SirHumphreyAppleby

1392 posts

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#2542265 16-Aug-2020 14:41

Bung: We have a basement conversion where the bathroom is higher than the main but the sewer is going downhill so the pipes run more or less in parallel for about 4m before joining at a lower point.

If we can get away with doing that, we will. We're going to be repainting, so opening up both walls and re-routing the pipe at a lower/flatter level a definite possibility. The pump solution is more of a plan B if we find we can't do that for some reason.

I'm trying to work out the minimum gradient required.

SATTV

1063 posts

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#2542301 16-Aug-2020 15:53

I have a pump in my laundry, it has a 10l tank and a three prong controller ( the float level switch was no reliable, we had a few floods )

It work very well, the only down side it that it can smell when the pump activates.

A friend had one in his bathroom and in worked very well, I think there is some regulation about containment if the pump fails but I am not sure, his one was connected to the toilet and had a macerator on it to deal with solids and paper.

My only advice would be dont get a cheap one. If you get a named brand it is more likely to last and parts be available if it fails.

John

I know enough to be dangerous

richms

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#2542431 16-Aug-2020 17:20

Get your drains surveyed if you dont know where they go. Turns out mine goes across the lawn at barely any depth and then drops massivly to go down to the pit at the neighbours, so I can get the part on my side redone deeper and with proper fall on it if I want to lower the basement floor and stick a new toilet in there.

Richard rich.ms