When finishing a basement, there are certain things you need to think of. It will need better insulation and ventilation, require a finished floor and walls, and will need plumbing and electrical work. Speaking of plumbing, you will probably want to have a bathroom installed in the basement. This requires not only the plumbing aspect, but choosing the right size based on the size of the basement. Here are some tips for adding a bathroom to your basement.

Choose the Right Location

Technically, you can put the bathroom in any spot in the basement, as long as it is against a wall and can access plumbing and electrical work. However, most people prefer to put the bathroom in a corner of the basement. It helps to have a spot with a small window, as this can be the route for your bathroom's ventilation system. You need to have a drain nearby as well.

Decide on the Type of Bath

Your next part of the planning stage is selecting the type of bathroom. This can be a full bathroom that includes a bathtub and/or shower, or a half bath that only has a toilet and sink. A lot of this will depend on the space you have, your needs, and what your budget is. If you are turning your finished basement into a bedroom, you will likely want a full bathroom. On the other hand, a play room or man cave might only require a half bath.

Build the Frame

The wood frame of the bathroom is going to be your first step when you begin working on the bathroom. Check with your local building codes as they may require certain types of lumber for basement construction. Many areas require you to use pressure-treated lumber, as it won't rot like other lumber being in such a humid environment. Remember that the height of the wall needs to be the height of the basement.

Work on the Plumbing and Electrical

After the frame of the bathroom is in, you will need to work on the plumbing and electrical work. Drill holes in the wall and floor of the bathroom frame to provide access to electrical and plumbing. There may be local regulations that require the use of PVC pipe or copper pipe for the plumbing work, so find out about this beforehand.

Putting up drywall is done after you make sure the plumbing and electrical work is complete.

Install Bathroom Fixtures

The first fixture that needs to go in the bathroom is the bathtub and shower. This is the largest item and most awkward to place, so it always goes in first. Next, install the toilet and sink, plus any cabinetry you intend to have in the bathroom. Hire a plumber to finish the bathroom installation if you don't know how to properly install these fixtures.

You can go to a website like http://www.duncansplumbing.com.au for more information.