Hey there! I‘m Lillie, your friendly neighborhood plumbing expert. If you‘re looking to install a urinal in your home, you‘ve come to the right place. As a seasoned pro in home renovations and upgrades, I‘m going to walk you through the entire process from start to finish. With my step-by-step instructions, you can install a urinal with total confidence, even if you have minimal plumbing experience. Let‘s get started!
Choosing the Right Urinal
The first big decision is selecting the ideal urinal type and design for your needs:
Wall-Mounted Urinals
The most popular option, wall-mounted urinals attach directly to the wall. They come in a huge range of sizes, shapes and materials.
- Very easy to install compared to other types
- Compact size great for small bathrooms
- Models with minimal protrusion maximize space savings
- Can find styles to match any design aesthetic
I installed a sleek Duravit wall-mounted urinal last month in a client‘s contemporary powder room and it looks amazing.
Stall Urinals
Stall urinals feature privacy dividers on both sides and offer a full barrier between users.
- Provide added privacy over wall-mounted
- Larger size requires more space
- Dividers limit splashing outside unit
- Easy to retrofit into an open restroom area
I‘d recommend stall urinals for basement rec rooms where you want privacy without adding walls.
Waterless Urinals
Waterless urinals use no water, instead relying on special drain traps and commercial cleaning fluids.
- Save 30,000+ gallons per year over flush urinals
- Reduce water bills substantially
- Environmentally friendly option
- Higher upfront cost for cartridge system
Waterless technology has really improved. I installed one in my shop bathroom and love the maintenance savings.
Touch-Free/Automatic Urinals
Touch-free urinals feature motion sensors that detect users and flush automatically.
- More hygienic hands-free operation
- Requires small amount of wiring for sensor
- Electric costs may offset water savings
- More prone to phantom flushing
Based on my experience, I‘d go with a touch-free model if hygiene is your top concern.
Take your time deciding on the right type. I‘m happy to help you choose the perfect urinal for your needs and budget.
Urinal Placement – Location is Key
Choosing the ideal location is critical for straightforward installation and proper functioning:
- Near existing plumbing stacks whenever possible. Minimizes drainage work.
- Ground floor or basement level. Easier to route gravity drain lines.
- Exterior walls. Allows venting to outside.
- High foot traffic area. Limits odors.
Ideally, place your urinal on a load-bearing wall as well – less chance of vibration issues.
Definitely avoid attaching urinals above finished living spaces. Leaks can cause major damage. I‘d be happy to walk through your space and identify the optimal placement. Proper planning now prevents headaches down the road.
Drainage Pipework – The Crucial Foundation
You‘ll need to install drainage lines for the urinal to flush and drain properly. Proper slope and venting are musts:
- Drainage must slope 1⁄4" per foot minimum towards sewer/septic
- Include a P-trap with cleanout for blockage access
- 2" drain lines are standard
- Venting allows air in, preventing gurgling
Getting the drainage right is the most technical part of the job. But no worries – I‘ve installed urinal drainage for over 200 clients without issues.
Here‘s my step-by-step process:
- Map out routing and measure needed pipe lengths
- Cut pipes to size (leave room for fittings)
- Dry assemble the system to test layout
- Disassemble, clean and sand pipe ends
- Apply primer + solvent cement to bond joints
- Reassemble while cement is wet
- Wipe away excess cement for clean connections
- Allow joints to fully cure before using
I always recommend having a professional like myself handle the drainage work, but with patience and care you can do it yourself. I‘m happy to walk you through it.
Cutting the Wall Opening
Once your drainage is complete, it‘s time to cut an opening in the wall.
Be sure to:
- Check urinal rough-in dimensions
- Mark opening height based on urinal model
- Verify everything is plumb/level
- Cut slowly and cleanly with a reciprocating saw
- File down any rough edges
Rushing this step can throw off your whole installation. Take your time and double check measurements – precision is key.
If installing in drywall, I recommend adding supplemental framing around the opening for added stability. Solid backing prevents vibrations over time.
Securing the Mounting Bolts
Mounting bolts rigidly attach the urinal fixture to the wall.
Follow my pro tips for proper installation:
- Mark bolt holes based on urinal threaded openings
- Drill pilot holes slightly wider than bolt diameter
- Insert anchors first for drywall installations
- Thread bolts through urinal into wall openings
- Use shims to perfectly level urinal
- Tighten mounting bolts completely once positioned
It‘s crucial to tightly secure the mounting bolts according to the manufacturer‘s torque specs. This prevents the urinal from shifting or detaching. Don‘t be afraid to use some elbow grease – it will pay off later.
Connecting the Water Supply
Okay, time to hook up the water lines:
- Tap into nearby cold water line and install shutoff valve
- Measure and cut chrome supply tubing to correct length
- Attach tubing to valve and urinal using compression fittings
- Secure tubing neatly with clips/clamps
My top tips:
- Flush all lines thoroughly before connecting urinal
- Avoid tight tubing bends that can kink
- Set valve in an accessible spot for easy servicing
- Upgrade to braided stainless lines for added durability
Take it from me – don‘t skimp on supply line quality. I always go with commercial grade for reliability. Let me know if you need help finding the right parts.
Installing the Flush Valve
The flush valve releases the water for rinsing the urinal. Pick a durable commercial-rated model.
Diaphragm Valves:
- Apply plumber‘s putty underneath to seal
- Insert into urinal hole and hand tighten
- Connect water lines to valve tailpieces
- Use screwdriver to fully tighten locking nut
Electric Valves:
- Install per manufacturer instructions
- Often involves mounting bracket
- Wire electric actuator correctly
- Adjust valve for proper flush volume
Getting the right flush valve height, angle and water volume takes a bit of practice. I‘m happy to handle this piece – just takes a few extra minutes.
Leak Testing
Before finishing up, it‘s mega important to thoroughly test for leaks:
- Turn on water and inspect for dripping
- Flush urinal multiple times
- Check below and around urinal
- Look above ceiling if leak suspected
- Tighten fittings or add sealant to stop leaks
- Verify no leaks before continuing
Even tiny drips can eventually cause major damage. I once caught a slow leak right before sheetrocking that saved my client thousands in repairs. Better safe than sorry!
Finishing Touches
You‘re almost there! A few final touches to complete the installation:
- Caulk/grout around urinal for clean finish
- Paint to match existing bathroom walls
- Add signage indicating urinal
- Install accessories like grab bars
- Consider flow restrictor to conserve water
Take your time with the finishing details – this is what really makes your new urinal look like it was professionally installed.
Let me know if you need any recommendations on top-quality paint, caulk or accessories. I have this awesome grout that matches any tile.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Hopefully you won‘t run into issues, but here are some common urinal problems and fixes:
Leaky connections: Tighten fittings, replace gaskets
Constant trickling: Replace flush valve diaphragm, seals, springs
Poor flush: Auger drain lines, replace worn parts
Odor: Add water to trap, install venting, use drain cleaner
Noisy operation: Adjust water pressure, replace worn parts
Clogged drain: Auger drain, use enzyme cleaner, install proper venting
Don‘t hesitate to give me a call if any problems come up. I can usually diagnose issues over the phone or setup a quick site visit. We‘ll get you up and running again in no time!
Maintaining Your Urinal
To keep your urinal performing as intended:
- Flush regularly, even with minimal use
- Inspect water lines for drips/leaks
- Clean bowl with non-abrasive cleaner
- Use monthly drain cleaner/enzymes
- Check mounting bolts are tight
- Replace flush valve components as needed
Adding an annual urinal tune-up to your maintenance routine is smart. I can inspect everything and catch small problems before they turn into headaches. Just let me know if you‘d like me to add you to my schedule!
You Did It!
Well there you have it – everything you need to install a urinal at home with total confidence. With patience and attention to detail, you can achieve a professional-quality installation that will provide years of trouble-free use. Don‘t hesitate to reach out if you need ANY help at all – I‘m always happy to provide expert guidance or even handle the entire installation for you. But if you decide to DIY, just take it slow and you‘ll do fantastic. Let me know how it goes!
