What Is a Pittsburgh Toilet?: Demystifying This Basement Fixture

There’s something strange about walking down the basement stairs to see a random toilet out in the open. But once you discover the history of the Pittsburgh toilet, you’ll have some context for this seemingly out-of-place feature. Whether you decide to keep this piece of Americana or ditch it, it’s up to you.

What Are Pittsburgh Toilets?

A Pittsburgh toilet (also known as a “Pittsburgh potty”) is a standalone toilet installed in a basement in the middle of the room, with no walls for privacy. Sometimes, the space also includes a shower, sink, or concrete tub. Although they’re called Pittsburgh toilets, they’re not exclusive to that city.

Purpose of the Pittsburgh Toilet

Homes built between the 1880s and before World War II may have these fixtures. During this period, sewage backups were common. The filthy flooding would affect the home’s lowest plumbing fixture. Installing a basement toilet prevented sewage from seeping into the home’s main living areas, and homeowners could simply scrub the bare cement flooring to clean up. 

History of the Pittsburgh Toilet

The Pittsburgh toilet is a relic of a bygone era of plumbing, but its name comes from Pittsburgh’s booming steel industry. According to Today, when the city became an industrial hub in the late 19th century, steel workers would get covered in dirt, dust, and grime during their shift. Rather than tracking a mess through their home after work, they’d enter through the basement, where they’d clean themselves up. Think of it as an old-fashioned mudroom—but with bathroom fixtures like a shower and the notorious Pittsburgh toilet. 

Pros of Pittsburgh Toilets

The Pittsburgh toilet seems a little awkward to some when removed from its historical context, but there are some reasons you may want to keep it:

• You have a messy job or hobby and want an easily accessible and easy-to-clean toilet where you won’t drag dirt through your home

• You’re planning a remodel that puts your other bathrooms out of commission

• You only have one bathroom and could use an extra toilet

• To preserve the history of your home

If you keep the toilet, consider adding some sort of enclosure, like a bathroom stall. With the plumbing hookups already in place, you can consider adding a bathroom if you plan to finish your basement.

Cons of Pittsburgh Toilets

Despite the rich Pittsburgh potty history, there are a few reasons you might not want one in your home:

• Some homebuyers think of them as an eyesore, but it depends on personal preferences

• Without a stall or enclosure, they don’t have the privacy of a toilet in a regular bathroom

• If you don’t use it, it will be another fixture you’ll need to maintain

• They’re mostly obsolete since modern plumbing can handle fixtures on multiple levels

If you’re not confident about removing a toilet yourself or don’t fancy struggling up the basement stairs with this bulky item, hire someone to disconnect and dispose of your outdated Pittsburgh toilet for you. Toilet removal costs $50 to $200, depending on the job. If you’re ready to say bye to your Pittsburgh toilet, don’t hesitate to call a toilet pro near you to remove it.

Renovating Your Pittsburgh Toilet

One thing is for sure—an extra bathroom is convenient. Since the Pittsburgh potty in your home is already functional, all you need to do is install walls, flooring, and fixtures. This is a bonus when you consider that the bulk of the cost to install a toilet is the labor to put in the toilet and the drainpipe. You could DIY parts of the project, but call a plumber in your area for plumbing work.

Why not take advantage of what you already have, especially if you’re doing a whole basement remodel? There are many reasons to add a bathroom to your basement, like increasing your home’s value. If you want to kick back and relax in your new game room, home theater, or hobby room, having a nearby bathroom in the basement will make the space even more convenient.

How Much Does a Pittsburgh Toilet Cost?

The cost of installing a toilet is between $225 and $550 for most homeowners. To add an extra toilet to your basement, you’ll pay slightly more if you don’t already have plumbing hookups and need additional piping. In some cases, you may spend as much as $1,300.

Since Pittsburgh toilets are mostly backup toilets to use after work or a messy hobby, you can choose a bare-bones toilet model to save some cash.

Do Pittsburgh Toilets Add Value to a Home?

A Pittsburgh toilet—now considered an obsolete, historical feature—won’t add much value to your home on its own. If you already have a Pittsburgh toilet, consider converting the space into a half bath or a water closet. A bathroom addition does add value to a home, especially in one that only has a single toilet.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro for Pittsburgh Toilet Renovations

You can save an average of 40% to 65% by doing the labor for a basement bathroom remodel project yourself. However, whether you want to tackle this time-consuming and technical job depends on your experience level and the project's scope.

If the plumbing is already in place and in good working order, and the basement is finished, it could easily be a project within reach of a handy homeowner. A large, unfinished basement with dodgy plumbing is a bigger challenge and one best left to a local bathroom remodeling contractor. You might need building permits and specialized equipment, and a licensed local plumber and electrician should deal with complex plumbing and wiring work.