FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

How far can a DRAIN pipe run laterally?

RickGreg | Posted in General Discussion on August 26, 2002 08:15am

I’m in the early stages of planning an above-the-garage addition for a master bedroom suite. The current preferred floor plan would put the shower drain approx. 45 ft (laterally) from the existing main drain line on the second floor.

The main drain runs down thru the 1st floor wall to the main sewer line in the basement floor.

Is 45 ft. to far? (I have not talked to builders or plumbers yet, just trying to get a feel for viable floor plans.)

One option is to run the pipe 30 ft. to an existing first floor wall, then drop to the basement ceiling and run the remaining 15 feet before dropping again to the basement floor. Would that help?

I hate the idea of excavating a new sewer line tie-in through my garage floor!

Thanks.

Reply

Replies

  1. UncleDunc | Aug 26, 2002 08:30pm | #1

    You have to slope it 1/4" per foot. If you have enough vertical space to do that, you're in business. If not, you'll have to make space somewhere.

    1. Mooney | Aug 27, 2002 02:58pm | #3

      thats a 1/4 inch per 10 ft .

      1. UncleDunc | Aug 27, 2002 11:29pm | #4

        Most building codes aren't published online, but http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/pages/h00015.asp (page down and click on Inadequate Drain Slope) cites the IPC and the UPC, both specifying 1/4" per foot for the pipe sizes a shower drain would use. The flattest slope they allow, only for 8" or larger pipes, is 1/16" per foot, which is still a lot steeper than 1/4" in 10 feet.

        1. JohnSprung | Aug 28, 2002 02:24am | #5

          There are reasons behind all this.  If you slope the pipe much more than 1/4" per foot, the liquids run around the solids, and leave them stranded high and dry.  Much less, and everything sits where it is.  The goal is to have the liquids keep the solids moving along.

          -- J.S.

        2. Mooney | Aug 28, 2002 02:37am | #6

          Thanks for the update.  We are still using the sbc , and I think what I stated is true with it. I will check to make sure however and get back to you. I can see that his distance would run out of floor with the meausement you gave . He will not be under an inspection either. I dont want to take any thing away from what you said , but 1/4 on 10 ft has worked for years where I live which wouldnt get him in trouble with his floor . I would however run a drain steeper than I quoted if he had the height., for that long a run. We are faced every day with making a remodleing project work with out pricing our selves out of business. Ill bet the house he has now doesnt stand up to that fall. I shouldnt question a building code , but this sounds like California. To comply with what you said he would need to put in a pump, or pick up the main   sewer line out side.  How many people do you think will do that with out an inspection ? Even a plumber will not get an inspection on his job , its remoldeling. At least he wouldnt here. So are we to think that all plumbers would do this ? Ill let the jury here decide.

          Tim Mooney

          1. DavidThomas | Aug 28, 2002 04:46am | #7

            No, not all plumbers slope their lines correctly, just the good ones. A 1/4 inch per foot is good. 1/8 inch per foot is allowed in many areas. Larger pipes can have slighter slopes (like a 1/8 inch per foot) and work fine. My code requires at least 1/8 inch per foot but not more than 1/2 inch per foot.

            I would NOT slope a 1/4 inch per 10 feet over any significant run. It will work fine for 5 or 10 feet because there isn't enough time/distance for the solids and liquids to separate.

            Unfortunately, in these long runs, it is harder to get the height you need (6 inches in this case) much less the height you want (12 inches in this case). But in these long runs is exactly when you most need to do it right.David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska

  2. RalphWicklund | Aug 27, 2002 07:21am | #2

    You will also have to vent within 6' of your shower (check local codes to verify this distance).

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

A Durable Yet Affordable Timber-Framing Chisel

Arno's timber-framing chisels offer a quality cutting edge at a low price point.

Featured Video

SawStop's Portable Tablesaw is Bigger and Better Than Before

The 10-in. Jobsite Saw PRO has a wider table, a new dust-control port, and a more versatile fence, along with the same reliable safety mechanism included in all SawStop tablesaws.

Related Stories

  • Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Ep. 19, Jesse Neumann, Arborist
  • FHB Podcast: Special Edition With Neil Freidberg of Louisiana Pacific and Kyle Stumpenhorst of RR Buildings
  • DeWalt Recalls 12-in. Sliding Compound Miter Saws
  • Podcast 483: Recalled Electrical Panels, Drainage Behind Brick, and Lazy Additions

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • 2021 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • Outdoor Projects
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 309 - Aug/Sept
    • 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets
    • How to Get Sturdy Walls Without OSB
    • Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job
  • Issue 308 - July 2022
    • Pretty Good House Book Excerpt: Copper Farmhouse
    • 10 Dos and Don'ts for Electric In-Floor Heat
    • A Sturdy Rail for Outdoor Stairs
  • Issue 307 - June 2022
    • How to Raise a Post-Frame Home
    • Trimming Deck Stairs
    • Evolving an Energy-Efficient Envelope
  • Issue 306 - April/May 2022
    • Framing Stairs to an Out-of-Level Landing
    • Building a Zero-Energy Home for Less
    • Good-Looking and Long-Lasting Traditional Gutters
  • Issue 305 - Feb/March 2022
    • The Steady Surge in Residential Solar
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: William B. Rose
    • How Good Is Your Air Barrier?

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2022 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in