Coldroom to Washroom Conversion

3/18/2013 at 5:17:19 PM

Everything is possible, I have to see the area first.

3/18/2013 at 5:22:12 PM

I dont see why not. As long as the size of the area is capable of installing and sink and toilet to meet minimum code requirements for a bathroom.

Also depends on how far the rest of the plumbing and venting system is situated in the basement underground.

Also if any concrete walls that are there may be load bearing I have seen in situations you would have to check.

3/18/2013 at 5:23:35 PM

Yes it can be converted but will need to be insulated.

3/18/2013 at 5:24:20 PM

Yes it is definately possible but requires more work and special techniques than a typical basement bathroom. If done wrong it will have to be redone in a few years. Have a greay day.

Regards,

Jay

HomeWorks by Design

3/18/2013 at 5:53:53 PM

One thing to consider is that you will need to tie into an underfloor drain line. If the rest of the basement is finished, this could create quite a mess and expense, to trench under the floor.

If the cold room is big enough, you could definitely install the bathroom.

3/18/2013 at 6:14:25 PM

100% can be done. Cost is a whole other issue. There are many elements to consider. Insulation, plumbing, electrical, even heating. But as anyone here will say it would be very hard to even muster a ballpark number without seeing the site first.

Hope that helps.

Thanks

Michael

3/18/2013 at 7:27:02 PM

Yes it can be done. But should give you a list of why it would be much better to locate it out in the basement area. And use the cold room for storage or even closet space if insulated, And sealed.

A cold room is vented to the outdoors, this must be plugged. You most probably have a steel roof. You can't puncture that membrane, so building cieling trusses to accept drywall will drop the cieling very low.Plus you need space for at least an R20 insulation. That is at least 4" of double layered Dow styrofoam.

A cold room has been built as a seperate unit from the rest of the basement. It is a "cold" room.

You will see that the concrete foundation runs right out to the door frame entering the cold room. Typicaly you have about 1 1/2" to 2" on either side of the door frame. As well as above. You would have to install electric radiant heat. And code permits this install at a certain distance from a water source. Unless you have a very big cold room, this could be an issue.That is very little room to bring in water lines. And the vent pipe will be an issue.

You are going to have to break up the concrete floor from the spot where you wish to place the tiolet and sink to a drain line running under your basement floor. Typically this is not near the cold room.

You must have a stack and a cleanout (large black plastic pipes running out of the concrete floor) existing in your basement. Near the location of you kitchen or main floor bathroom above. This is the area, or close to it I would strongly suggest any client of mine build the bathroom. As mentioned at the begining of my post, these areas will be far more comfortable and easier to heat as well.

I hate to put a damper on your plan, but do yourself a favour and build the bathroom outside the cold room.

Best of luck,

James Fram

3/18/2013 at 9:26:03 PM

Yes it is possible, we have to insulate outside walls and put Vapor Barrier on the walls and then we can build a bathroom.

Thank you,

Carsten @ CL Carpentry