Toilets with Sink Above - Are they any good?

Lizbetty

Hello!
We have a tiny downstairs loo which currently has a separate tiny sink and toilet. It gets cold and damp and we're looking to fit a small radiator, but that would limit the space we have.

The plumber suggested a toilet with sink on the cistern, which seemed a great idea until my friend who is builder said they're not very good!

I've read a few reviews and some do mention the particleboard blowing etc because of the water from the sink, I can see how the water might get everywhere as some of the sinks are so small.

Does anyone have one of these or have any opinions on them, please?

The toilet needs replacing anyway as it's broken, and all the pipes rerouting. (Nothing is straight forward in this house!)

Thanks!
Lucy

Doozergirl

I wouldn't.

I think the idea of leaning over a used toilet to wash one's hands defeats the object. If you don't need to lean over it, there's enough room for a sink.

The particle board issue is a real one. I've just had to replace a 3 yr old and rarely-used vanity unit that cost over £600 trade (just the unit, the basin was extra) because of the way the sink is positioned with no drip solution.

Radiators really don't take up much room and could be placed higher up if necessary. I'd find a solution for that.

grumbler

How tiny?
Once I found that a corner toilet and a corner sink were a good combination. IIRC it was ~90cm wide (and very short - hence the corner toilet)

FreeBear

Doozergirl wrote: »

Radiators really don't take up much room and could be placed higher up if necessary. I'd find a solution for that.

A plinth heater might work, or use a skirting board heater such as the Smiths Sureline range (other brands available). If the space is only large enough for a toilet and tiny sink, then it won't need a huge radiator.

grumbler

Doozergirl wrote: »

Radiators ... could be placed higher up if necessary.

Very questionable suggestion. Generally, it has to be as low as possible to create natural air circulation from the bottom to the top. Otherwise it heats only the air at the top.




Heated floor? I guess for a small room it can be a direct replacement for a radiator without any extra equipment except, possibly, some temperature sensor in the floor that controls the valve. Or it can be electric floor heating - not a big deal for a tiny room (in terms of cost-efficiency)

Grenage

grumbler wrote: »

Very questionable suggestion. Generally, it has to be as low as possible to create natural air circulation from the bottom to the top. Otherwise it heats only the air at the top.

Bad news for anyone with vertical radiators.

grumbler

Grenage wrote: »

Bad news for anyone with vertical radiators.

Not really. It's high, but still is normally fixed close to the floor, thus creating air circulation.

Doozergirl

grumbler wrote: »

Not really. It's high, but still is normally fixed close to the floor, thus creating air circulation.

We're already talking about a compromise situation and I specifically said 'if necessary'.

I wouldn't choose to put a radiator higher up, but the room presently has absolutely nothing and if it were a choice between that and a toilet with a sink on the cistern, I wouldn't be straddling or kneeling on a toilet seat to wash my hands.

As it happens, electric underfloor heating would be a pretty good idea.

jude_br

I have one of these toilets in my tiny downstairs cloakroom. It's just a loo with the basin on top but there's no vanity unit so no particle board. I think they're great & ideal for space saving.
I can't post a link but if you Google toilet with basin on cistern you'll see plenty of examples without any vanity units.

Emma.english.manchester.

I've used one before and its fine....was in a hairdresser

PasturesNew

They're rubbish from an aesthetic and practicality point.

As a short person I'd struggle to reach it to use it, trying to straddle the loo to reach.

People who didn't close the lid might drop their keys/phone/items from their pockets leaning over.

They look awful.



Don't do it. They're a bizarre gimmick invented by people with super long arms who will always close the lid.