Lainie,

Wow, I had a hard time following what you are saying... I bet I'm not the only one.

A diagram would be really helpful. A lot of people have used photo bucket to get photos and diagrams on here.

Thanks for trying Jake. If you take a piece of paper and draw as you read what I'm saying for the layout, you'd probably figure it out easily. HONESTLY!

I read some plumbing code info today (via architect friend) and didn't find anything that said a toilet can't be one of several fixtures "last in aligment" to be drained. Seems wrong to me, but hey, I'm not a plumber.

Maybe I'll re-post my questions with a drawing when I have time to figure out how to do that. Depends on what plumber says tomorrow. And/or maybe I'll have to have consults on-site with other plumbers I know (I have two more projects pending so...).

All I DO know is there are problems and the plumber who did the work needs to solve them. I NOW also know that there were THREE places in the old bathroom in which pipes ran down thru walls to the basement, but I think the guy only used ONE of them for all the fixtures in the renovation, and it is only a 2 inch diameter pipe which also makes several turns. I just don't understand why.

That pipe used to only carry the waste from one sink. Now it's been given the waste for 2 sinks, a tub, a shower, and a toilet....so maybe that is the problem...or maybe he didn't pitch things enough?

Thanks again; maybe someone else will take a stab at giving me some advice?

Lainie

Are you sure this guy is a licensed plumber? Routing all you describe plus a toilet through a 2" waste pipe is the work of a complete hack. And it doesn't sound as though it's vented properly either. I'd get an independent licensed and bonded plumber to come in and take a look at it. They guy who did it doesn't seem to know enough to DIY a garden spigot.

2. i think you wrote that the toilet was the last thing tied into the drain before it went out of the building. That is good. Search on "bathroom group" and you'll learn more.

Is the pipe 3" diameter at that point?

Actually since I posted my original question, I did more investigating in the basement, attic etc.

The plumber's rough sketch gave the wrong impression...he drew it with the "exit" mid-way between a 2 inch drain line (for old sink; I think/hope this is totally dead/capped) AND a 3 inch drain...so I think he MUST have used the 3 inch drain, and just did the drawing very inaccurately.

He also told me the "exit" was in the exterior wall, and I'm pretty sure that's wrong too. I think the 3 inch pipe runs down an interior wall, about 3 feet in from the exterior of the house.

The toilet (with no change in location with remodel) rests over that interior wall, which is directly over the main stack for house. (But toilet drain has to go about 2 feet horizontally to reach it).

Apparently he didn't care how accurate his description/sketch was!
He was "let go" by the owner a few weeks after he did our bathroom; not a good sign.

In the meantime, the owner of the firm did not show up when I was told he would, (yesterday) and they're not returning my calls, at least not yet. They're making me very nervous.

Yes, the owner is licensed and I assume the employee who actually did the work is licensed. A permit was pulled; we have the CO (but as I said in my "much too long" question), the inspector barely looked at the plumbing.

The contract says the workers must be licensed.

Maybe I just need to be more patient. Will call again tomorrow, and also call the carpenter/GC who recommended them to ask for his help.

If no luck, will bring in someone else to fix the problem(s). Hopefully will be fixed for less than my outstanding balance.

If fixing costs less, I'll pay him the difference despite the fact that he is jerking us around.

If not, will bill him and take legal action if he doesn't pay.

I've never had contractor problems and this is the 4th major project on house. I think I treat people with respect and I try to be professional and knowledgeable. I just wish they'd at least call.

Lainie