Installing new WC under stairs

Sulli

We are considering installing a new toilet under the stairs, and I want to do the bulk of the work myself and do it as cheaply as possible.

Here is a simple diagram of what we want to do:


There are a couple of things that I need to consider. Firstly, the consumer unit is where I want to put the WC, so I want to move it along approx 0.5 mts, however the main electirc feed comes in there through the floor - is it difficult to move this and do I need to contact the utility supplier to do this? I will obviously use a sparky to do this, just need to understand the main issues.

Secondly, the location of this new WC is nowhere near the existing soil, so I can't tap into that. However, the new WC will be on the gable end wall next to the entry at the side of the house which the main drain runs under. Can I run a waste directly into the main drain, and if so, how much work is it to do this? As you can see from the diagram, the manhole cover and open section of drain is a few metres back from where the new WC will be.

Are there any building regs that I need to concern myself with, particularly in terms of space? The space will be approx 1.1m x 0.7m.

The bathroom here is the kind of thing I am looking for:

Thanks, any advice appreciated

olias

From your description, you are unfortunately potentially looking at a lot of expense.

Is your meter next to your consumer unit? To move your main electric feed you will need to pay your supplier as they are responsible for it up to the point of the meter. If it is an underground supply, then they will have to dig it up in your side passage and move it to the new location, and move the meter, They are likely to charge a lot for this. You will then also have to pay a sparky to move the consumer unit, and install a new lighting and extractor circuit, main light, switch and extractor fan.

Can't tell from your plan which direction is to the main sewer (down on your drawing?) If so, then you will have to install a new manhole in the main drain adjacent to the new loo and the associated pipework. If the main sewer is at the top of your pic, then you could either do the same, or run a new drain from the new loo to the existing manhole (If there is a spare blank) Or replace the manhole with one that can take another feed in.

If this is a shared drain with neighbours then you will have the added problem of having to work on it fast while it is still 'live'. Not much fun to be covered in !!!!!! everytime the neighbour flushes as you are working! - Been there, done that!

Add to that the cost of routing a water supply to the understairs, the plumbing, sanitary ware, joinery for new door etc, decoration, flooring, tiling............

Like I said, a potentially very expensive job.

In addition, I think the space you have described will be very tight to say the least. You will have to check out building regs as to whether that is deemed enough. The example photo you have shown looks to be at least 1.5 wide. Imagine it a third smaller, and you can see how tight that would be!

Olias

richardw

What size foot print is available for a height of 1.5m and taller?

phill99

Olias sums it up well. A huge set of problems to overcome to achieve a very minor reult. How desperate are you for a second WC? If you were putting in a 2nd bathroom or shower room, then the expoense will be justified, but not for a WC.

muskoka

I've just had my consumer unit moved (whilst updating it). Cost me £300 (and sparky is Part P Regd). I'm in South East. However, to move the actual meter would have cost in excess of £1000, so we decided to box it in.

Anyway, you could compromise by boxing in the actual meter?

Sulli

Thanks for the replies. Yep it sounds unfeasible to move the supply, would have to box in, however with limited space (depth) there already, this would make things difficult as well as tad risky with the main supply and consumer unit next to a water supply! Probably wouldn't pass building regs.

The wife insists we need another toilet as we have 3 young kids - the alternatives are to do a full extension on the entry shown (c.£50k) or to move, but that means another £100k on the mortgage to get something better in the same area.

freezspirit

You could go old fashion and build an outhouse in the garden, lol