I am remodeling my downstairs bathroom (daylight basement, 3' below grade). I assumed I would need a tub with above floor rough in, since it sits on a concrete floor, but when I pulled out the old tub, I found a hole approx. 18" deep X 18" wide through the 5" slab. First question- Is this bad?
The original tub was installed without a p-trap. Second question- Is this bad?
Also, there is a hot water baseboard heating unit behind the tub. It is a typical alcove tub, so there is no real access to the baseboard, although a 5" X 8" opening with a register was cut into one end of the alcove. I guess the idea was for heat to radiate through the steel tub, which it does to some extent. Final question- Is this bad?



Any advice will be appreciated.

[imgur.com]

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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

[imgur.com]

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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

how do you know there is no trap under the dirt ?
can you see water down inside the copper pipe?

anyway, I have installed basement heating elements behind tub many times.
this practice is not bad at all.

my friend from SC has posted your second picture.
only the element needs to be there. the enclosure serves no purpose in this situation.



Edited 1 times.

I guess that is possible, but I never thought of the trap being buried. I'll check that out. Thanks.

You probably have a trap under the dirt if it was inspected. Like was mentioned shine a pencil flash light down inside the copper pipe to see the water indicating that the fixture is trapped.

Yes, I do see water in the pipe. Good to know I don't need to install a trap with the new drain assembly. Thank you.

from what little I could see of your plumbing it looks professionally done so the absence of a trap would be (as spock would say) illogical