Conversion of downstairs cupboard to wc?

vader1_2

Hi there,
thinking of turning a downstairs cupboard into a small wc. It will need a small extension, but the soil stack is in there and there is also H/C water pipes already - so relatively speaking viability is pretty good.
The main problem is that the soil stack runs down in the cupboard half way down the external wall and so would need moving over tight against the back wall.
I realise that this would involve diverting the flow of it outside. However I cannot quite tell where my sewage flows to outside. I have no manhole cover on my property and there are about four outside the front of my house. How can I tell where it goes? I have been seen oddly lying with my ear to the floor outside whilst my wife flushes the toilet - but to no avail. I also have no indication of where it flows to on any porperty deeds I have.
A plumber friend of mine said the job of moving the soil stack etc was too much and it was not worth it, however we are still quite keen, and as my dad is a bricklayer and my brother a carpenter I know I can bring the job in at a good price.
Any thoughts, advice etc.....

Canucklehead

Hi

You might try lifting the covers on the manholes, to get an idea of depth, but I think they are going to be heavy duty ones and difficult to lift.Are there any in a neighbour's ?
It will cost you but you could get one of these drain cctv firms to survey it they will be able to pinpoint it's run using transponder/receiver .Bit of a last resort I think.

You'll need extraction in the new room.
Good luck

Corgi Guy.

Fruitcake

Without a picture I'm not sure of the cupboard layout you have at the moment, but was wondering if a sanitory shredder would be a better option. I put a downstairs loo in a small extension at the front of our house but didn't want the expense and effort of digging a dirty great trench to mate up with the soil stack at the back of the house so I installed a Saniflo sanitory shredder instead. The waste then goes out through 22mm (overflow size) plastic pipe to the stack instead of 100mm. The pipe can be run internally under a floor and be bent round any obstacles with ease.
The shredder requires a 230v mains outlet as well, but the whole installation is quite simple to do. The unit is about the size of a concrete block and should last for years maintenance free. There are several different makes as well as different types depending whether you want it to just take the loo waste, or add on a sink, or shower, or washing machine. They will basically pump poo up a mountain so can even be used in basements as well.

Fruitcake

You Only Listen To Me When I'm Wrong

vader1_2

Thanks all,
yes lifting the man hole covers was an option but I did think of contacting someone who may have the knowledge ie. either the council or water/sewage company????