Waste to Pit Instead of Main Drain?

[Mike Lamb]

It is standard fare in the split-level homes I inspect to have a bathroom drain its waste into the sewage pit of the adjacent lower level even though it could easily get routed into the main sewer and drain via gravity which would seem the better option.

Since I see this all the time there must be a good reason but I don?t know what it is.

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[Bill Kibbel]

I can't think of any logical reason.

How old is that house? Split-level era seems kinda young for complete cast iron pipe failure.

[Chad Fabry]

Union pump?

[emalernee]

I have not seen that setup in Splits in my area (Northeast Ohio).

[kurt]

Sewer backup. Before Deep Tunnel, that lower level bathroom would be a geyser of poop.

Now, not so much.

[Mike Lamb]

I have seen this set-up many times like I said. I thought there must be a reason. Around here the split level style was mostly a 70s thing.

The DWV was all plastic except at this location. The cast iron failure has to be because it was lousy stuff.

The listing on this home was 1988.

[Mike Lamb]

Sewer backup. Before Deep Tunnel, that lower level bathroom would be a geyser of poop.

Now, not so much.

Thanks. That makes some sense. The bathroom level is below grade.