Re-Vamp Bathroom
Sometimes an existing bathroom layout just doesn’t quite work. Your current arrangement might date back decades or maybe you just want to relocate the bath or install a walk-in shower
There are loads of things to consider when changing a bathroom layout but in most cases it is perfectly possible.
Period properties are usually the most in need of a layout update. Often bathrooms have been in place for many years, with the odd addition of things that were needed at a the time but have become out dated
Is it easy to move existing plumbing?
It might feel daunting but generally it is possible to move pipework and fittings around.
The hardest things to move are toilets since the waste pipe needs to be thicker and have the correct fall to the soil stack [also known as the soil vent pipe, which drains sewage from a building]
The soil pipe is often located externally but it can be located internally and then moving its position can be tricky. You may be able to alter the soil pipe location, but this can add to the cost and be difficult to 100% confirm before you fully strip things out. Fully changing and relocating a soil pipe can add to both the cost and timeline of a project.
A macerator toilet could be installed [which liquifies waste, then pumps it out via normal pipework], but we only suggest doing this as a last resort as they can be noisy & unreliable.
One radical idea is to have a compost toilet which would not require traditional plumbing
Another key consideration is the type of shower you prefer. Will it be gravity-fed, mains-fed or boosted using a pump? Does the shower mixer valve need to be buried in the wall or will it be surface-mounted?
What else?
The new bathroom will either need opening windows or need a vent to the outside added to comply with Building Regulations.
Set the design brief, list the essential items, your absolute needs & the ‘could have if budget allows’ e.g twin basins for couples or walk in shower
Bathroom wall and floor finishes need to be considered at an early stage & the backing board behind tiles is also important. We recommend using a tile backer board which is superior to plywood and plasterboard if finances allow.
Keeping to budget…
If you intend replacing the fittings & keeping them in the same positions, the cost will be lower but don’t skimp on basic quality and functionality.
At every point in your plan, you should have 700mm minimum circulation space. You need a minimum of 600mm in front of a toilet and a minimum of 700mm in front of basins. The ceiling height in your showering space needs to be at least 1.9m
Mark out the space and improvise using the room to see if it feels spacious enough – you could make cardboard cut outs to make visualisation easier
Uncovering the pipework is much more time-consuming, disruptive and expensive in properties with concrete slab flooring, which is common in new builds or where extensions have been built over drains.
Changing your layout is easier if the bathroom is on an upper floor level where the floor structure is timber, as you can use the space between the joists for pipework but there is always a solution it just sometimes takes some creativity to find it.
Need help, need ideas? Just send me a message?
