Time to renovate the outside toilet!

[Dan45]

I'd like to make this toilet functional again. There's a working water supply which I disconnected when I moved in because of the leaking tank.

I'm really interested in the soil pipe, it seems to go up, then down to get to the drain. I've used it before, and it works fine!

A plumber came to see it, and said the new toilet needs to be repositioned over the drain, with the "user" facing the house.

Also, not sure what to do about the channel between the floor and the house. If I left it there, it would always have that "rustic" look...

 

[Mr Cat]

Hi there, that's some project Dan

The soil pipe goes up then down as standard, that's the U bend that keeps the water in the toilet and acts as a smell barrier to stop those nasty whiffs coming up from the sewer. It does seem funny it coming out of the side instead of at the back but you say it works so no need to mess with that or reposition the toilet unless you really want to.

With the gutter trench between the house I'd be tempted to dig it out a bit and put some DPC down the side of the house then you can fill it in again. But really, looking at that floor I'd be more tempted to take a big hammer to it, break out what I could then you could put some DPC down the side of the house and under the floor then re-concrete it and you'd certainly get a nicer drier floor area.

I can't really advise you on how to replace the wooden lintle above the door in a completely safe fashion but I'm sure someone here can.

Good luck.

 

[Doggit]

Looking at the loo, you'll spend far more time trying to renovate it (and not have that great a job) than you would by knocking it down, and starting again. As Mr cat suggests, put a bitumen DPC against the wall in the trench, and then fill it in. It's pretty much guaranteed that there's no DPC in the floor, so you might as well dig the floor out, and reposition the drain, fit a DPC and insulation in the floor and then start building the walls back up and you can build a double skin wall, so that the toilets warmer (or a single wall with celotex), that'll let you put the lintel in properly, and add some insulation into the roof.

 

[Dan45]

Ok, thanks for the advice - maybe this is just too big a job for now. I might just get it cleaned out a little, and fixed for occasional use...

 

[Doggit]

Why not get a couple of builders in to have a look at things. You might be able to discuss options with them, and then work out what you can do, and what needs extra experience.

 

[ianmcd]

Not being cheeky , but why would you want to ?

 

[dilalio]

Not being cheeky , but why would you want to ?

Because it would be a convenience?

 

[DaveHerns]

Maybe because it brings back childhood memories? That looks like luxury compared to where I lived as a child in the 50's. BTW outside lavvies are called gardeners toilets these days!

 

[dilalio]

BTW outside lavvies are called gardeners toilets these days!

Whereas the plumber's toilet is between the shed and the fence

 

[Mr Cat]

If it doesn't have to be that special you can easily tackle the floor yourself for starters and see how you go after that I'd reckon. Just remove what old floor you can, get your DPC down where possible and a barrow or two of concrete should see that looking alot more pleasing. As Doggit suggests, it's never going to be truely luxury without some extreme work but no harm in picking some peoples brains on site and deciding what you can do yourself. It's always far more fun and satisfying having done it yourself if you're even vaguely confident
And forums are great places.

 

[Mr Cat]

Whereas the plumber's toilet is between the shed and the fence

And the joiner has a laugh pouring water down the soil pipe whilst the plumber's under the floor connecting the other end....

 

[oilboffin]

The plumber who said to face the loo towards the house is a prat there are pan connectors to face the loo in most positions.Bob

 

[dilalio]

I'd deck the floor up with some celotex underneath and have a step up into it. This would be quick and cheap and would make it easy to level the floor and fit a new bog. Lintel could be replaced either by taking a chance that it'll corbel together above or needling with a couple props or you could have your local metal fabricators make up a 'n' from flats that'll bolt either side of door frame.