Converting under the stairs into wc - thoughts pls

alan.t

would only ever recommend a saniflo or other make of macerator as a last resort, they all block up at some point or the motor will burn out causing problems, but main problem is the smell from them as they have to vent the odour, would be especially bad in such a small room. And make sure nothing that causes foam goes down it, they cant cope with any sort of foam/washing up liquid type liquid, and you will have masses of bubbles (and whatever waste is in the tank) all over your floor.

Owain_Moneysaver

Ben35 wrote: »

Most people put a polite notice on the toilet cistern to inform the user that it is a saniflo system.

A very fine wire mesh over the toilet pan would be more effective at stopping anything unsuitable going down there.

DRP

alan.t wrote: »

would only ever recommend a saniflo or other make of macerator as a last resort, they all block up at some point or the motor will burn out causing problems, but main problem is the smell from them as they have to vent the odour, would be especially bad in such a small room. And make sure nothing that causes foam goes down it, they cant cope with any sort of foam/washing up liquid type liquid, and you will have masses of bubbles (and whatever waste is in the tank) all over your floor.

This exactly what ive heard.

ie. avoid saniflo unless it is the absolute last resort.

LJS2014

RichardTheComic wrote: »

My home is 7 years old, but has exactly what you are talking about doing. Personally I love it - not ideal as its directly off the kitchen (though apparently this is fine these days). Happy to send you pix so you can see essentially what it'll look like.

That would be so helpful if you could - Thank you!

:beer:

martinsurrey

DRP wrote: »

This exactly what ive heard.

ie. avoid saniflo unless it is the absolute last resort.

while I agree don't put one in if you have other options, I have no issues with mine

I do also think that the horror stories a bit over hyped (yes they will break eventually but correctly used not for a while).

OP

I have just finished installing a wc under the stairs in my Victorian house.

As others have mentioned there are 3 real issues to tackle that building regs will really want to see sorted

1) Drainage - I put in a macerator. Installed the pipe work myself.

2) Ventilation - you'll need to put a 100mm fan extractor in, with a timer linked to the lights. Getting this vent to the outside might be the hardest part. Mine was okay as I had the ceilings down.

3) Sound insulation - pretty obvious why!

Other things to consider.

A) head room. I didn't want a tiny wc that you couldn't turn around in, so my wc is not in line with the stairs, its rotated around 90 degrees and projects out from the staircase slightly (see picture)



Gives a good amount of head room, and allows a cupboard under the stairs for storing junk.

Rough costs
I didnt use a plumber at all, only pros were the plasterer and the electrican

First fix plumbing (so pipes fittings and the like) - £60 (inc hot and cold water supply)
Making the walls of the wc - £40
Door - £50
Toilet and sink unit + taps - £200
Macerator - £230
Fan and ducting+grills - £60
Lights - £30
Electrician for switch + lights + fan - £100 (half a day)
Tiles + adhesive £150
Plasterer for outside - £150

total - £1,070

LJS2014

Thank you martinsurrey - that's great info to have.

Really interesting to hear both positive and negative comments re: use of saniflo/macerators. Not 100% sure it's the route we want to go yet but definitely gives us more of a basis for research. Sounds like they are fine if they are used properly and looked after as intended.

Pennydropped

Completely unknowledgeable about saniflo, but when I moved in here, the area under the stairs had already been made into a toilet. It's definitely been a plus for us - especially when the dcs were younger and toilet training! It obviously means less storage space, but I can live with that.

Nilrem

alan.t wrote: »

would only ever recommend a saniflo or other make of macerator as a last resort, they all block up at some point or the motor will burn out causing problems, but main problem is the smell from them as they have to vent the odour, would be especially bad in such a small room. And make sure nothing that causes foam goes down it, they cant cope with any sort of foam/washing up liquid type liquid, and you will have masses of bubbles (and whatever waste is in the tank) all over your floor.

I'd second/third/forth that.

Saniflo systems are good when they work, but they are an utter nightmare if something goes wrong, and at some point something will go wrong.
Especially if you have friends over, or children (even just long hair from what I've heard/seen).


We had the choice of saniflo or proper gravity feed for our downstairs loo and we went with proper gravity feed despite it causing some more disruption during fitting and never a problem since (it also continues to work in a power cut!).

Two of our neighbours had the same choice and went with the saniflo option (despite in one case it would have cost less to have had a gravity system, as the toilet was up against an external wall with less than 6 foot to the drain under the front lawn, whilst the saniflo option involved running pipework internally for about 20 foot).
One of those systems was pulled out about 3 years later, the other we ended up having to go over practically every week for a while until we put our foot down* and insisted that the next time they got the plumber out he either replaced it, fixed it for good, or they stopped asking us to help unblock it (the damn thing seemed to dislike standard loo roll, I'm sure the motor was underpowered given it was meant to do for number twos)

Back on topic a second/downstairs loo is a godsend if you've got children or visitors, it's also very handy if you're decorating or there is any issue with the bathroom (it means if say the flush on the upstairs toilet goes at 10pm on a Saturday night you're not screwed).


*We're normally happy to help the neighbours out (and most know we've got the tools and some experience in almost anything household), but unblocking a saniflo for the third or forth time in 6 weeks was it.

LJS2014

Thanks Nilrem your post is really interesting although unfortunate in your case to be the go-to-saniflo unblocker!

After all the information gathered and really useful comments of everyone on this thread (Thank you all!) we have decided against going down the Saniflo route.

Going to start and get some quotes and take it from there.

:beer: