Best location for toilet

gcoopermax

We want to create a second toilet and ideally would have done it by extending to the rear, however the access path is a bit tricky which makes it difficult to do rear extension. Second option would be to convert a cupboard in the bedroom (which is towards front, so no easy access to soil pipe at the rear). For option 1, we were thinking of creating a bricked extension room that will mean a solid wooden door will open to access path. For option 2, we could use the controversial Saniflow macerator. Any thoughts on which one would be best/feasible? Also would be interesting to know what sort of costs are involved. Below are some illustrations to explain the options.

theartfullodger

Don't use saniflow. Please show sewage pipe runs.

gwynlas

One up one down better for everyday and future sale. Macerators crap in more was than one.

davidmcn

I wouldn't want a poo mincer whirring away in my wardrobe.

I think a downstairs toilet is more useful than adding a second upstairs one.

D_M_E

Move the wall between the 2 bedrooms making bedroom 1 shorter and bedroom 2 a bit longer.

Section off a corner of bedroom 2 next to the bathroom and put a toilet in the sectioned off bit so that it's beside the existing toilet.

You could also put a small sink there as well.

If you sectioned off enough without making the room feel small you could also possibly fit a shower in as well - depends on how far the wall is moved.

gcoopermax

Don't use saniflow. Please show sewage pipe runs.

I have zoomed in on the image to show the pipework at the rear, is this helpful?

I think a downstairs toilet is more useful than adding a second upstairs one.

I also am inclined towards option 1 but I am not sure if we can do such an extension? This would mean part of current fence will be occupied by bricked wall and the current gate will be replaced by a door of the extension room. Not sure if planning permission would have any issues, or neighbours may object?

UPDATE: I must add that this is a house we are considering buying, just realised I never clarified this in earlier posts.

exiled_red

Personally I don't like the look of the extension that you have drawn, I don't really have any idea of scale but the room/hallwall/enterance between the existing house and the proposed toilet looks like a wasted space, there are so many doors that I doubt you have enough usable space to do anything. Even if you were to remove the existing door from the kitchen you only gain a toilet. You also lose the convenience (no pun intended) of access around the side of your house into the garden, you would have to go through 2 (locked) doors in and out of the house to get from the side to the back garden, and presumably there could be planning questions/difficulties as I assume that the access down the side of the house is shared .Personally if I was building an extention I would want something else such as a utility or mud room or something, but I don't see that you really have many options.



The other thing to think about is why you want a second toilet, who is it for? If it is for people using the bedrooms would they want to go downstairs and through the house to use the downstairs toilet? or is it for guests as the downstairs toilet might be more convenient.

kerri_gt

Neither solution seems particularly desirable, not a fan of saniflow solutions and the downstairs one seems to be an outside toilet through a brick corridor?

Have you investigated what other people in the steeet have done? Whilst it is more labour intensive it does look like you can have building materials delivered to the front of your house and wheeled through to the back. Is there any access you the back of your garden via a lane or anything where materials could be delivered over the fence?

If you're going to the hassle of building, have you looked at extending the kitchen and having a downstairs toilet added as part of that.

Also, could you convert the space under the stairs into a downstairs wc perhaps?

walwyn1978

The extension option for me.

1) some people are put off by macerators and will not look at your house because of it when it comes up for sale
2) macerators smell, even the well maintained ones, and having it in the corner of a bedroom on a warm day even behind a cupboard door isn't amazing
3) macerators block very easily even if you're careful, particularly if kids or house guests unfamiliar with one are involved
4) the macerators we had in a previous house lasted on average 3 years before they needed replacement

So although you're looking at less initial outlay for option B it's A for me.

gcoopermax

Personally I don't like the look of the extension that you have drawn, I don't really have any idea of scale but the room/hallway/entrance between the existing house and the proposed toilet looks like a wasted space, there are so many doors that I doubt you have enough usable space to do anything.

Indeed this is just a crude sketch of what I am thinking, there would be few issues with this layout which an architect/builder can sort out. However I acknowledge the points you have raised, and I do think this would be a bit of hassle.

The other thing to think about is why you want a second toilet, who is it for? If it is for people using the bedrooms would they want to go downstairs and through the house to use the downstairs toilet? or is it for guests as the downstairs toilet might be more convenient.

Wife and I both have to get up early in the morning and it would be a good thing to have a second toilet too once we have kid/s. We are considering buying this house but want to first assess teh feasibility of second toilet.

If you're going to the hassle of building, have you looked at extending the kitchen and having a downstairs toilet added as part of that.

Yes that is another option but this may mean completely redoing the kitchen and such an extension will be expensive as well, hence I thought of doing it the way I sketched.

Murphybear

davidmcn wrote: »

I wouldn't want a poo mincer whirring away in my wardrobe.

I think a downstairs toilet is more useful than adding a second upstairs one.

When we were looking to move a while ago a downstairs toilet became a must have rather than a desirable feature.

With an ageing population and lots of people with dodgy knees and hips this will happen more and more