Bathroom Doors

[SwitchTheElectricsOff]

Hi everyone

I'm in the process of refurbing the house and starting with the bathroom. The bathroom has access by two doors, one which I want to block up:

IMG_1392

• SwitchTheElectricsOff
• 22 Jul 2017

The other I want to move, from one side to the other:

IMG_1393

• SwitchTheElectricsOff
• 22 Jul 2017

The walls arn't wall bearing, and are one brick thick.

Will there be any regulations I need to consider before doing it, or can I just go for it?

Many thanks!

 

[Doggit]

Nope, you'll be fine. It's only if it's a load bearing wall that you need to inform building control.

 

[big-all]

you need to be careful how do you know its not load bearing ??
the timbers may join on top off the wall or a tank in the attic may be supported on it ??
how have you worked out its not load bearing ??

 

[Doggit]

You make a good point about the ceiling joist joining on top of it big-all, but as (well I assume) it's a bathroom on the top floor, then it shouldn't be load bearing. What we should have asked is what sort of lintel he intend to set in above the door frame, and what his experience level is.

 

[SwitchTheElectricsOff]

Hi guys,thanks for the comments - answers to issues below:

• The bathroom is on the top floor
  
  
• In the loft I have two massive beams going across, with much smaller beams going crossways, those little beams are running along parallel with the direction of the wall where I want to move the door
  
  
• No idea if the existing smaller door has a lintel, the wall is made of half thickness blocks (the other side used to house an immersion heater, I will put one in when I move it
  
  
• There is nothing above the wall, there did used to be a water tank directly above it
  
  
• I'm advanced DIY'er (installed kitchens/plumbing/spark work/flooring)

One thing cropped up last night whilst I was thinking about it, what is the minimal distance from the edge of the wall can I put the door, as I'm putting stairs to the loft where I'm blocking it up

Thankyou for your thoughts so far!

 

[Doggit]

what is the minimal distance from the edge of the wall can I put the door

Sorry Switch, but we'd need some drawings and dimensions to answer that; it's not such a simple response. The smaller beams running parallel to the wall are not an issue; it's the massive beams that cross the wall (and are therefore being supported by it) that are more crucial. How close/far are these from where you intend to put the new door. The smaller door will very likely just have a wooden lintel, and as long as no support is required above the new doorway, you could do that again. Assuming the walls 1 brick width, then a piece of 4x2 should support the small number of bricks above it, or 4x3 if you want to play a bit safer; but if the beams are anywhere near the new opening, or you might not have enough support on the wall small amount of wall left, then you'd need a concrete lintel, and maybe some more advice. Can you post some pictures from the loft, and indicate where the door currently is, and where you're moving it to.