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Advice on small under stairs toilet in Scotland

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Big_ideas

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Hi everyone.
I hope somebody could look on my plan converting an under stairs pantry into a toilet.
I'm wondering if the space and the plan would meet the regulations and if I would need a building warrant (I'm in Scotland) if I would carry out the work myself...
I appreciate any comments and advice. Thank you.
 

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That sewer pipe from the toilet might be a challenge. For an understairs emergency loo why not use a macerator - we did
 
mrrusty said:
That sewer pipe from the toilet might be a challenge. For an understairs emergency loo why not use a macerator - we did
Click to expand...
Hi.
Thanks for the reassurance.
Doing a quick web search states that in general you don't need a building warrant for a downstairs toilet installation but you might need one if you carry out the work yourself...
So my biggest concern is if I do install it myself what happens when we decide to sell the property? Would I be asked for a work completion certificate...? And what could be the implications of not having one...
Sorry for the long reply, it's our first house... Maybe I'm overthinking things...
 
Big_ideas said:
Doing a quick web search states that in general you don't need a building warrant for a downstairs toilet installation but you might need one if you carry out the work yourself...
Click to expand...
Eh? Seeking approval does not rest on who does the work. It is controlled work, regardless.

Your proposals look ok to me. Don't go with a macerator. Bite the bullet and go for drainage. We have done this many times.
 
Bite the bullet and go for drainage. We have done this many times.
Click to expand...
I agree if you can, but we don't have a section and it's difficult to envisage how that drainage is going to be routed. Rest bend directly under the toilet, another 90 bend coming through the house wall, and connecting underground to the existing soil. It's doable I'm sure, but at how much cost and disruption.

Our little saniflo in our similar understairs emergency loo was about £350, the pipe runs through the insulated plasterboard about 7m internally, before popping out to the soil pipe, and has run without any incident for 6 years so far. If it has a problem, it's two floor fixings, a couple of jubilees and an electric wire and I can take the whole assembly outside if I have to.

I think they're fine unless you have visitors who are going to put "strange objects" down it. We didn't have much choice because with our ground level and shallow drainage we couldn't get the fall.
 
cdbe said:
Personally I'd have a rethink.

View attachment 399070
Click to expand...
Hi.
Thanks for pitching in.
I know how it looks, but it's because my drawings are s***e, lol...
Clearance from the edge of the toilet would be around 6'4" and the centre of the toilet around 5'11".
We're 5'4" and 5'6" and Google says that general height consideration at the centre of the toilet should be at least 5"
It would be alright, the ceiling doesn't slope very sharp...
 

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mrrusty said:
That sewer pipe from the toilet might be a challenge. For an understairs emergency loo why not use a macerator - we did
Click to expand...
At the back door I have 3 steps down with a total drop from the back door of around 400mm.
So the idea is to remove the floor from the hall and dig a straight trench.
The pipe would be around 3400mm long, so if the drop is at least 25mm per metre then I would be looking for around 90mm down at the other end, right?
I do have an SDS hammer drill, so I'm hoping that it would be enough for the job...
 
Space wise I think it'll work just fine, we had pretty much an identical downstairs bog in our last house and it worked just fine, any space disadvantages are outweighed by the addition of a downstairs bog. If going for a macerator consider a commercial grade albeit much more expensive they will cope with more.
 
My brother in law has just bought this place near Aberdeen, I don't know the measurements but it was a struggle for me - I thought it would have been better if they'd put the velux above it - my head would have fitted in and a good opportunity to take in the nice view!

Screenshot_20251113-170742.Chrome.png
 
Looks like, with that drop outside, a conventional drain is doable. Our understairs is a very similar size and works fine.
 

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