Installing a new basement toilet is more complex than shopping for any standard toilet. The rest of the house can use standard toilets. Without the correct setup, you could experience leaks or sewage backup issues. 

Your options for installing a basement toilet include an upflush toilet, macerating pump, or a composting toilet. The type of toilet you need to buy will depend on what plumbing you have installed, as well as your budget. A plumber can also help you choose the right toilet for your basement.

Everyone should think twice before investing in and installing any toilet in their basement. Before you make your decision, use this guide to discover the options and ensure you choose one to suit your basement and plumbing needs. 

why a regular toilet won’t cut it in your basement 

Many people might assume that you can install any toilet in a basement. However, a specialist toilet is required to prevent sewage issues in your home. 

Basement toilets ensure that the waste is directed to the correct area of your plumbing system by working with gravity.

What Are Your Basement Toilet Options? 

The average cost of a new toilet installation is around $400. Should the plumber incur any issues due to previous leaks, cracks, and wobbly bases, it could cost you up to an extra $800. Therefore, it is a good idea to ensure you are choosing the right toilet before you buy. 

Getting a new specialist basement toilet does not need to cost a fortune. With the numerous options below, you can find the best toilet for your basement needs. 

Upflush toilets

Upflush toilets, like this one (on Amazon), utilize smart plumbing as they work against gravity to encourage the waste to pump upwards to the septic tank or main sewer line. 

I have an upflush toilet in my basement, but you can’t tell if a toilet is upflush just by looking at it. Here’s a video I found showing how the upflush system works:

Pros

• Inexpensive. Unlike other toilets, upflush toilets are popular due to their affordability.
• Easy to install. Upflush toilets are quick and easy to install, meaning there is little work to be done in your home when you install one.
• Ready to use in a short amount of time. Upflush toilets connect to your existing plumbing and can be ready to use in a few hours. Instead of waiting weeks to use it, you can use it immediately.
• You might not need a plumber. The design of an upflush toilet means you might not need a professional to install it. If you have some experience, patience, and instructions, you might be able to install it yourself. 

Cons

• Need to be used regularly. To help an upflush last a long time, it needs to be used regularly. Therefore, it might not be the best option if you do not use your basement toilet every day.
• Noisy. Some upflush toilets can be noisy when they flush and when they are not in use.
• Clogging issues. Sometimes, upflush toilets can experience clogging. This might require a plumber to attend a maintenance check, costing you more money.

Macerating pumps

Macerating pump toilets are known to be combined with upflush toilets to make the ideal basement toilet combination. The smart plumbing of a macerating toilet uses a grinding system to grind the waste into a fine slurry, which is more easily pumped through the plumbing system. 

The grinding system allows a macerating toilet to be durable and great at handling larger products, such as sanitary products and wet wipes. 

Pros

• Space-saving. Macerating toilets are fairly small and compact, making them ideal for small spaces.
• Compatible with sanitary products. Unlike standard toilets, macerating toilets can grind up and get rid of sanitary products. This will ensure your system doesn’t get clogged up when tampons or wipes are flushed. 

Cons

• Expensive. Macerating toilets can be expensive, especially those with smart grinding systems. They are worth it but not ideal if you are on a budget when designing your basement bathroom. 
• Reliant on electricity. Surprisingly, macerating toilets rely on electricity to run. They will not work without power, which can cause various issues if you experience a power cut.
• Costly to fix. Should an issue occur with your macerating toilet, you might spend a small fortune to fix it. 

Composting toilets

Composting toilets are the most eco-friendly of them all. They use minimal water for flushing and composting your waste sustainably. 

These toilets rely on heat and a single drain to compost toilet waste. They are not ideal to sync with sinks or showers. 

Pros

• Easy to clean and maintain. Composting toilets are dry (waterless) and very easy to maintain and keep clean. You can even use the composted waste to fertilize plants in your garden.
• Sustainable. Due to their minimal waste use and ability to sustainably compost toilet waste, they are the more sustainable basement toilet option on the market. 
• Affordable. Composting toilets are among the most affordable toilet option. They are cheap to buy and run.
  
• Space-saving. Composting toilets do not require a septic tank, so they help you save on space. They are typically small in design, making them even more space-saving.
  
• Long warranties. Due to their reliability and sustainability, many manufacturers offer lifelong warranties for composting toilets. Hence, they are a great option if you want to be covered for faults. 

Cons

• Some run on electricity. Some composting toilets rely on electricity to run. These are typically the more expensive ones, which could cost you more to use them. Therefore, it will be a good idea to do research and find one that does not rely on electricity to help reduce costs and your carbon footprint.
  
• Some produce odor. It could be possible for a composting toilet to produce odor due to the composting process. If you experience an unpleasant odor in your basement, it might be due to your toilet. 

How to choose the perfect basement toilet for you

Choosing the best basement toilet requires some consideration. If you want something affordable and sustainable, a composting toilet is an easy answer. 

Yet, if you have more money to spend and want to avoid unpleasant smells, a macerating toilet or an upflush toilet could be the ideal basement installation for your home. 

Overall, an upflush toilet is the best option for a basement. They are not too expensive, they are easy to install, and they can be ready to use quickly. Their smart plumbing system ensures your basement will not smell or experience regular waste issues. 

How Much Does It Cost to Put a Toilet in the Basement? 

On average, a basement toilet will cost you around $400. However, it could be possible to find one for cheaper. The cheaper alternatives are composting toilets, which can be ideal if you are on a budget or wish to choose something sustainable. The more expensive basement toilet is the macerating option, which could cost up to $600. 

If you experience plumbing faults before installing a new basement toilet, you could be expected to pay up to $800. Therefore, ensure your basement is ready for a new toilet and the installation of plumbing procedures to help you avoid excessive spending. 

It will take an expert plumber between two and four hours to fit a new basement toilet. This could be longer if they incur any plumbing issues. Should you wish to use your new basement toilet on the same day, choose the upflush option. 

Other costs could derive from whether the plumber needs to remove an old toilet, has an expensive toilet to fit, or needs to fit it into a difficult space.