Get matched with top toilet pros in Mitchell, NE

Silicone-based caulk is known for its waterproofing qualities, so it’s the best option for any bathroom area. While it’s often more expensive, it will provide a better, longer-lasting seal than acrylic or latex caulk. Use it along the base of the toilet to prevent leaks and keep the area clean and protected.

Some older homes have toilets in the basement to combat sewage backups. This type of toilet, also known as a Pittsburgh potty, acted as a safety valve over the incoming sewer line. If a line backed up, it would back up into the toilet because it was the lowest fixture in the home, keeping it out of sight and away from the finished areas of the house.

Basement toilets were also used by workers with messy jobs, like those who worked in coal mines or steel mills. This way, they could clean up and avoid tracking dirt through their home.

Yes, you can install a basement bathroom without breaking concrete by using an upflush toilet system, which includes a macerator pump. These systems sit on top of the concrete floor, so you don't have to drill into it to install plumbing. The macerator pump breaks up waste until it is soft enough to pass through a discharge pipe to the main sewage line. This method saves you time and money by bypassing the need to break concrete to connect drain pipes.

If a toilet is not properly vented, you could experience issues like poor drainage, slow flushing, frequent clogs, malfunctioning traps, gurgling noises, and the release of sewer gasses. If left untreated, all of these issues could lead to longer term structural damage or (in the case of sewer gasses) harmful health side effects.