thinking of making downstairs wc into a wetroom

blushingbride_3

hi everyone

I dislike having to shower over the bath so am thinking of converting my downstairs wc into a wetroom

The room is 160 x 105cm which is too small for a shower cubicle so i thought a wetroom solution would be best with a curtain to stop too much splashing

Just wondered what everyone thinks?

we'd have that sheet flooring that curls up & tile the walls.

BB

robpw2

can i come use it please

blushingbride_3

haha does that mean u think its a good idea?

what do people think of showers downstairs?

WestonDave

First question that springs to mind (having had similar thoughts) is how are you going to stop water either flowing out of the door or being tracked out on wet feet etc? Is the floor outside suitable for wet feet/water, and can you instal some kind of bar across the doorway to contain standing water?

Are you going to keep the toilet in there? If so how much room do you get to shower without standing over the toilet bowl? In terms of resale on the property a downstairs shower but no downstairs toilet might seem a bit odd.

As a last thought depending on why you don't like showering over the bath, have you considered a shower bath? These have a rounded section at the shower end which gives you more room to shower without the cold curtain experience. Various companies make them - we had one in our previous house and it was very effective.

themacster

You have to provide a fall in the floor to a floor waste for a wet room - what is your existing floor - concrete or timber? Either way it is not going to be easy and you may well find you end up raising the level of the floor to accommodate the fall and waste/trap. If you're going to raise the floor level you might as well get a 1000x1000mm shower tray and make a cubicle instead with a bifold or split fold shower door. Would you miss having the downstairs WC though?

blushingbride_3

Existing floor is timber (hardboard) so this can be adapted, toilet will stay etc, there will be about 900mm square space for showering

Thing is with the cost of the shower bath etc i thought this solution might be easier/ better? then i can keep the bathroom nice for bathing & relaxing

The floor outside the WC is vinyl as its the utility room so that wouldnt be a problem and the fall in the shower should prevent too much water running out

blushingbride_3

Also my main bathroom would be a squeeze to fit the shower bath as its only small

themacster

I can't see this working if you are going to keep the toilet. You need to provide a fall in the floor and incorporate a waste and trap - this will necessitate either raising the floor or taking the floor up and installing the waste/trap below the floor. This will be difficult, just how so depending whether you have a suspended timber floor or a concrete floor. If concrete, you won't be able to do it; if timber, will depend on direction of joist run and depth below, plus ability to connect to existing soil/waste pipe. Is there a basin in the WC? It'll make the WC awkward to use if the shower has just been used. Also I take it there is some form of extract ventilation in the room? You will need a change of light fitting to a splashproof one, are you looking at electric instantaneous or one fed from the current hot water system. I think you should have another look at the shower bath option and see if you can get one to fit your existing bathroom - this would be an easier solution, and quite probably cheaper.

blushingbride_3

@ themacster

I have a raised wooden floor, i will keep wc & basin
We have a fan in the room & i can change the light bulb to a bathroom fitting
The shower will be thermostatic run off the hot water system

My plumber said about £400 for flooring, £200 for shower & £200 for installation

Shower bath is £200 & installation £550 so not alot of difference

themacster

You'll have to waterproof the walls - either tile them or use a sheet material - so you'll have to add in the cost of this. Its going to be a very compact toilet/basin/shower facility!

blushingbride_3

Yes i'd go for a grey/white floor with white tiles with maybe a grey border - just basic white tiles from wickes