Do you need planning permission for an under stairs toilet conversion?
Whilst you don’t have to acquire planning permission, building regulations to undergo an under stairs toilet conversion mean you must ensure it will have adequate ventilation and a drainage connection. Regulations can vary depending on your location. Always check your local council rules before starting any works.
Do building regulations apply to downstairs toilets?
Building Regulations will most definitely apply in all cases of adding a downstairs toilet.
Can you put a toilet under stairs?
We have seen so many cool toilets under stairs, that we thought it was time to allocate a post to them. So here it is! Small houses often have a staircase, and most people use it for storage, but there are other options as well. Why not use this space for installing a closet-style toilet?
What is the minimum height for an under stairs toilet room?
To be able to stand within an under stairs toilet room, we recommend the minimum height for the tallest* wall to be 215cm. Abiding by these measurements will ensure you have enough space to comfortably use the toilet room.
Can I put a toilet under my stairs?
Can I have a toilet under my stairs? As you have probably already gathered from reading this blog post, having a toilet under your stairs is indeed possible. It's a great way to utilise the space underneath your staircase.
Does a downstairs toilet need a window?
Building regulations state any bathroom must have a window, ventilation, or both. It's also important that the new waste for the toilet is connected to your waste pipe, so the new WC needs to be located near outdoor drainage.
Is a downstairs toilet classed as a bathroom UK?
Yes, your downstairs toilet will be classed as a bathroom for insurance. Insurance quotes consider all en-suites, toilets, and wet rooms in your property as bathrooms.
Can a toilet be installed anywhere?
On a serious note, it is absolutely possible to install a toilet, even a bathroom as a matter of fact, anywhere in your house. In the past, many homeowners have had the idea of their dream bathroom crushed because the location was simply too far away from the main drain.
Can you have a toilet directly off a kitchen?
In the past people have thought that a bathroom or toilet couldn't open out into a kitchen, but this isn't the case. As long as there is a basin where people can wash their hands before returning to the kitchen, then one door is enough. And you don't need a lobby.
How small can a downstairs toilet be?
Downstairs Toilet Minimum Size The minimum size for a downstairs toilet is 70cm wide x 130cm long. However, to make it a functional and comfortable space, you ideally want to be working with a footprint of 80cm x 140cm; in either instance the door would typically have to open outward.
Do you need an extractor fan in a downstairs toilet without a window?
Per building regulations you don't have to have an extractor fan is a room that has window(s). That doesn't mean, of course, you can't have one anyway but is not a requirement.
Does a downstairs bathroom devalue a house?
New research from Direct Line Home Insurance reveals that having the family bathroom downstairs can wipe thousands from the value of a property.
Where do you put a downstairs toilet?
But where to put one? To save costs and disruption, site one within easy reach of the existing water supply and soil pipes – a good location is under the stairs, or you might section off the end of a long hallway.
Can you put a toilet anywhere in your house UK?
Yes, you can put a toilet anywhere in a house. However, as with a bathroom, its location will be key in determining how easy and cost-effective it will be to install. Access to a water feed and the SVP are crucial for adding a toilet.
Does a downstairs toilet add value UK?
How much value does a downstairs toilet add? You can add an extra 5% to your home value by adding a downstairs toilet extension. Even a cloakroom sized toilet in your home on the downstairs level will certainly make your home more appealing to buyers and add extra value when it comes to selling.
Can I move a toilet location?
Moving the toilet is not a change to be taken lightly. But if needed, it can be accomplished with substantial plumbing work and a great deal of peripheral work, such as opening up a floor or ceiling, rerouting pipes and drain flange, and re-installing the toilet and other fixtures.
Do most modern homes have a downstairs toilet?
Most modern homes have a downstairs toilet but adding one can make a difference especially for those with a larger family. Here are some things to consider
Can you install a toilet on the ground floor?
The door frame has to be wide enough to get a wheelchair through, and there needs to be enough floor space to park a wheelchair and manoeuvre it around.
Can you convert a cupboard under stairs to a loo?
This stipulation in many cases rules out converting a cupboard or space under the stairs into a downstairs loo as there is just not enough space. There are also rules about having toilets opening directly onto a living space or a kitchen rather than a hallway or a bedroom. Previously there was a “two door” rule enforced between any toilet and the kitchen but these rules have now been relaxed as long as the new bathroom includes a sink for hand washing.
Why do people use closet toilets?
A closet toilet is also a great staircase idea if you have young children, as it saves a trek up and down stairs whenever they need to visit . Plus it’s easier to access for elderly parents if it’s a struggle getting up and down stairs.
What to do with a downstairs loo?
While it might be a functional space, a downstairs loo is a great place to show off a more daring decor. Have fun with a bold paint colour or flamboyant wallpaper idea. You’ll only need a pot of paint or a roll of wallpaper, so it won’t cost a fortune and is a great opportunity to have a bit of fun.
What to use for walls near a basin?
Tiles are a practical choice for walls near a basin. Start with a paler colour at the bottom to add a sense of space, introducing a darker shade as you go upwards. Tiling on the diagonal will add a pop of pattern without making the space feel too busy.
Can you put a loo under stairs?
Bulky furniture and fittings will crowd an under stairs loo, so downsize with neat, slimline storage that can slot into a small space. A compact basin with vanity unit underneath has space inside for storing loo rolls and cleaning products and will tuck neatly in under the stairs or into a tight corner.
Can you make a downstairs loo with an under stairs cupboard?
Or maybe you’d like another loo for when family and friends pop by. If you have an under stairs cupboard that’s big enough, chances are that it can be adapted to create a downstairs loo.
Is plumbing all in one?
Another bonus of this arrangement is that your plumbing is all in one place, minimising the amount of exposed pipework you’ll need to box in.
Where is the waste disposal located in the house?
Connecting to the current soil pipe used to carry waste from other toilets in your home (usually located on the side of the house) is one option. If this isn’t possible, you’ll need to set up a mechanical waste disposal unit which pumps waste to the soil pipe.
Why do you need a downstairs toilet?
There are many reasons to build a downstairs toilet. You might host regular parties and want a way to keep nosy guests from upstairs, or perhaps you want to be safe than sorry when it comes to your child’s bladder capacity. Whatever your reason, if you do decide a new WC is for you, you’ll need to consider one big thing: building regulations.
What to do if you are struggling to find a WC?
If you’re struggling to find the room, we recommend getting an architect on board. They’re masters of space and will be able to identify if your WC is possible, often finding space solutions you would never have thought of.
Do you need to apply for a planning application for a downstairs toilet?
Rest assured for most downstairs toilets, as long as you’re not altering the exterior of your home, you won’t need to apply for a full planning application. However, we still recommend checking in with your council just to be sure. Homes in conservation areas or listed buildings have stricter rules about alterations.
Do you need a professional to install plumbing in a bathroom?
If you want to ensure the plumbing in your bathroom meets UK building regulations, we highly recommend getting a professional in to handle the installation. Getting this right often requires specialist training and if things go wrong, you’ll likely be paying for it in the future.
Is a downstairs toilet wheelchair accessible?
Accessibility. A lot of councils, though not all, might insist that any downstairs toilet installed is fully accessible to wheelchair users. This would mean having a door frame wide enough for a wheelchair, plus enough floor space for it to park and move around.
Why install a downstairs toilet?
If you have a growing family or elderly parent moving in, installing a downstairs toilet creates an easy access option for those who may struggle to get up the stairs. It’s also equally as great for young children beginning to use the toilet for the first time, who might not make the journey upstairs in time.
Why install an additional toilet?
The installation of an additional toilet helps to prevent the need to compete for bathroom time.
How do mirrors make a toilet feel bigger?
Mirrors can make your toilet suite feel bigger by bouncing light around the room and creating the illusion of more space .
What is the best ventilation for under stairs?
Ventilation. As the majority of under stairs cupboards don’t have a window that leads to outside, the most suitable ventilation is the installation of a fan. There are two main fan options. Standard fans are manually turned on and off by the user by pulling a cord. A humidistat fan detects the humidity within your bathroom ...
How to brighten up a toilet room?
Use bold colours to help brighten up your toilet room and boost your mood every time you nip in to use the loo.
How to get rid of toilet waste?
Connecting To A Soil Pipe . The most common way to get rid of your toilet room waste is to adapt the current soil pipe used to carry waste from other washrooms in your home. The waste will then feed to a soil stack (waste pipe) located on the side of your house.
What is towel rail?
Towel rails help to make any suite look contemporary. Available in a range of sizes, they heat up your room whilst warming your towel. Opt for a sleek design to take up minimal floor and wall space.
How much space does a T toilet need?
This might not even be necessary with t toilet under stairs as we will typically have at least 6 feet (182) of space.
When fitting a new branch unto existing pipes, do you need to ensure that everything is installed properly?
When you fit the new branch unto the existing pipes you need to ensure that everything is installed properly. Nothing is more frustrating than a blocked toilet. Except for a broken sewer pipe which could also be possible if you don’t know what you are doing.
Why is the corner cut off in a bathroom?
Even the door is made to measure. The corner is cut off in order for the door to close under the stairs. The basin and the toilet is stylish and place in the center to make it as comfortable as possible to sit and do your business.
What is the tallest part of a toilet?
The tallest part of the toilet space is used for washing hands and the mirror is also placed here. This way you have the low ceiling where you sit and the “high” ceiling where you stand up. Brilliant. The toilet closes off with two doors.
Can you connect a toilet to a pipe?
You need to connect the loo to the pipe system. This can be a challenge if you do not have a toilet directly above or below the stairs. So make sure the toilet can be connected to the plumbing. Otherwise, you might be able to fix this by connecting the toilet to pipes that can lead the drain into the sewer.
Can you vent a toilet in the middle of a house?
However, you might be able to install a vent on the wall that is parallel to the staircase. If you want to follow the building regulations you need to have a form of ventilation installed whenever you have a domestic toilet.
Is the next toilet bigger?
The next toilet is not much bigger , but you have a separate sink/mirror area.