Page 7 | To want to shut off downstairs toilet

Daisydu · 2023-03-18T10:07:07+00:00

It’s next to the kitchen. You have to walk through the kitchen to get to it. I hate it. I’ve tried telling everyone in the house it’s not to be used for no2s because I think it’s bloody gross. But the kids don’t always listen and quite frankly I just don’t want it there anymore. We have a perfectly good bathroom upstairs. 9 people in our house though which does make me question in a bit. We’re renting so can’t get rid of it altogether but we also have zero storage in this house so we could use it for that. What do you guys think? Would I be silly to just shut it off? Honestly the fact it’s next to the kitchen winds me up

Zer · 18/03/2023 15:46

Inject · 18/03/2023 15:36

Toilets near the kitchen and ensuites are disgusting I agree - animals don't do their business near where they sleep and eat and we are meant to be the higher species! However, it's normal these days. In the old days they used to be outside which is much better.

Yeah right

Original poster

Daisydu · 18/03/2023 15:48

Birthdaygirl1210 · 18/03/2023 15:36

All you need to do is make sure the children don’t use it if they can’t be trusted not to poo in it, madness to not use it for guests or yourself.
my main concern is your cat I’m afraid , you have confirmed you dislike him and would rehome him . His behaviour seems odd ( I’ve had many cats over the years ) is he neutered as this makes a difference to bad behaviour and he seems hungry if constantly stealing food , is he regularly wormed and have flea treatment?

he should have access at all times to his home for warmth and safety.

To the cat owners that have commented that they leave their cats out all night this is not nice and I’ve no idea how you can get in your nice warm bed and not care where your pet is all night .

Yep cats neutered, fed 3 times a day and up to date on flea and worm treatments. He’s just a pain, he will literally jump up and steal food off the kitchen side, this is why we put him out at meal times, unless he’s asleep of course and behaving himself. Also he’s more of an outdoor kind of cat anyway he is often out for hours and hours of his own accord (not locked out like a pp said!) and it’s a struggle to get him in at night. I don’t like him much but I definitely don’t mistreat him lol.

OP posts:

Zer · 18/03/2023 15:49

I leave my cats out all night, but they do have a barn they can go in. They are supposed to catch mice but they are shit at it tbh.

FayCarew · 18/03/2023 15:50

Have you considered putting a portaloo or compost toilet in the garden?

Original poster

Daisydu · 18/03/2023 15:50

Zer · 18/03/2023 15:49

I leave my cats out all night, but they do have a barn they can go in. They are supposed to catch mice but they are shit at it tbh.

Oh mine is great at that!! Always bringing home mice and birds 😳, often decapitated 😩

OP posts:

Birthdaygirl1210 · 18/03/2023 15:52

premicrois · 18/03/2023 15:37

All you need to do is make sure the children don’t use it if they can’t be trusted not to poo in it,

There are 7 children. They should be allowed to poo in the second toilet if they need to. It's weird to be quite so controlling of someone's toilet needs.

I totally agree , I’m just trying to find a solution to the OP problem , I would let anyone poo in it but she doesn’t want the smell so they can use the upstairs toilet if they won’t only use it for peeing.

Zer · 18/03/2023 16:09

FayCarew · 18/03/2023 15:50

Have you considered putting a portaloo or compost toilet in the garden?

Lol

ItsDinah · 18/03/2023 16:11

I wouldn't block it off permanently. I would make it inconvenient to use. Put a piece of furniture in front of the door or put a laundry rack in the loo that has to be moved out before accessing the WC. This should redirect a lot of traffic upstairs but still leave it available for emergency.

Original poster

Daisydu · 18/03/2023 16:12

ItsDinah · 18/03/2023 16:11

I wouldn't block it off permanently. I would make it inconvenient to use. Put a piece of furniture in front of the door or put a laundry rack in the loo that has to be moved out before accessing the WC. This should redirect a lot of traffic upstairs but still leave it available for emergency.

I like this idea.

OP posts:

Doesthepopeshitinthewoods · 18/03/2023 16:31

Daisydu · 18/03/2023 10:10

Just one upstairs and one downstairs.

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Nine people in your house (why so many?! Are you the Bucket family?) and you want to get rid of one of two toilets. You’ve lost your damn mind.

Original poster

Daisydu · 18/03/2023 16:35

Doesthepopeshitinthewoods · 18/03/2023 16:31

Nine people in your house (why so many?! Are you the Bucket family?) and you want to get rid of one of two toilets. You’ve lost your damn mind.

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We have 3 children, and have also taken on 4 others through social services full time, which we didn’t know when we rented this house! They are children from a family member, if I didn’t take them they would have gone into care and that was not an option to me so here we are.

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adriftinadenofvipers · 18/03/2023 16:36

Birthdaygirl1210 · 18/03/2023 15:36

All you need to do is make sure the children don’t use it if they can’t be trusted not to poo in it, madness to not use it for guests or yourself.
my main concern is your cat I’m afraid , you have confirmed you dislike him and would rehome him . His behaviour seems odd ( I’ve had many cats over the years ) is he neutered as this makes a difference to bad behaviour and he seems hungry if constantly stealing food , is he regularly wormed and have flea treatment?

he should have access at all times to his home for warmth and safety.

To the cat owners that have commented that they leave their cats out all night this is not nice and I’ve no idea how you can get in your nice warm bed and not care where your pet is all night .

I'm concerned about the poor cat too. I've got two at the minute, totally indoors. They're not allowed on the table or kitchen worktops, and they don't steal anyone's food. If you stopped kicking the poor fucker out all the time, he might bring back fewer rodents.

Is he fed properly? Neutered? I've had cats my entire life, and that's a long time (!!) and never had one exhibit this behaviour. I think it's cruel to throw him out in all weathers because you don't manage said behaviour. Surely he could go upstairs?

One of my little rescues was left out in all weathers by her horrible bastard 'owners' from when she was only a baby. She hasn't once asked to go out since she came to us a year ago. If you keep the cat, please be kinder to him. Cats are vulnerable to all kinds of dangers; one thing if they actively want to be out but he must think he's being punished for something. I've never left any cat outdoors all night either.

Doesthepopeshitinthewoods · 18/03/2023 16:37

Sorry I opened the thread when you posted it and didn’t read it, it’s moved on somewhat since then.

SS must have been desperate to place four children in a house where seven kids would have to share two rooms. That sounds hard and really shit. I hope you can find a better house soon.

Buy a bottle of VIP and implore everyone to use it. Not sure how good it is for the environment, but it’s effective.

Meandfour · 18/03/2023 16:38

Get either a diffuser or a plug in. No way is 1 toilet enough for 9 people. Also, when you have visitors they will have to go upstairs and use your family bathroom. A downstairs loo is so much easier, I wouldn’t be without one.

Doesthepopeshitinthewoods · 18/03/2023 16:38

VIPoo *

Original poster

Daisydu · 18/03/2023 16:40

Doesthepopeshitinthewoods · 18/03/2023 16:37

Sorry I opened the thread when you posted it and didn’t read it, it’s moved on somewhat since then.

SS must have been desperate to place four children in a house where seven kids would have to share two rooms. That sounds hard and really shit. I hope you can find a better house soon.

Buy a bottle of VIP and implore everyone to use it. Not sure how good it is for the environment, but it’s effective.

It’s a large 3 bed to be fair. The rooms are big so we’ve made it work. But yeah looking for a bigger place. Thanks for the advice

OP posts:

Original poster

Daisydu · 18/03/2023 16:42

adriftinadenofvipers · 18/03/2023 16:36

I'm concerned about the poor cat too. I've got two at the minute, totally indoors. They're not allowed on the table or kitchen worktops, and they don't steal anyone's food. If you stopped kicking the poor fucker out all the time, he might bring back fewer rodents.

Is he fed properly? Neutered? I've had cats my entire life, and that's a long time (!!) and never had one exhibit this behaviour. I think it's cruel to throw him out in all weathers because you don't manage said behaviour. Surely he could go upstairs?

One of my little rescues was left out in all weathers by her horrible bastard 'owners' from when she was only a baby. She hasn't once asked to go out since she came to us a year ago. If you keep the cat, please be kinder to him. Cats are vulnerable to all kinds of dangers; one thing if they actively want to be out but he must think he's being punished for something. I've never left any cat outdoors all night either.

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Bloody hell. I have never said he is put out in all weathers all day. My god. He’s put out at meal times because he’s a little ass that jumps on the tables and kitchen sides. I’ve answered this already but yes… he’s fed 3 times a day, neutered, up to date on flea and worm treatment.. and absolutely not locked out of the house longer than a meal time lol and always in for the night. Hardly cat abuse!

OP posts:

adriftinadenofvipers · 18/03/2023 16:43

Cross-posted. I am a massive lover of cats!

It would be so much better if you could train him not to jump up. Tinfoil on the edge of the worktops is good.

Original poster

Daisydu · 18/03/2023 16:46

adriftinadenofvipers · 18/03/2023 16:43

Cross-posted. I am a massive lover of cats!

It would be so much better if you could train him not to jump up. Tinfoil on the edge of the worktops is good.

any tips on training him would be amazing. I would much rather him not do it than I put him out! I think I see him as more of a chore because I work part time so I’m home 4 days a week and have to deal with it all meal times.. where as dh works long long hours so doesn’t see that side of it.

OP posts:

premicrois · 18/03/2023 16:58

We have 3 children, and have also taken on 4 others through social services full time, which we didn’t know when we rented this house! They are children from a family member, if I didn’t take them they would have gone into care and that was not an option to me so here we are.

I actually think that's a massive drip feed and the idea of controlling the toilet use of these children who have clearly been through a lot is not ok. I posted earlier assuming they were you or em children and even then I thought they should be allowed to use it, but children who have been removed from their homes already? Please just let their need to toilet be placed above your dislike of smell.

I realise my post sounds awful I really don't intend it to be I am not very articulate and I just wanted to say while I disagree with your toilet situation I take my hat off to you for what you are doing for these kids.

Original poster

Daisydu · 18/03/2023 17:04

premicrois · 18/03/2023 16:58

We have 3 children, and have also taken on 4 others through social services full time, which we didn’t know when we rented this house! They are children from a family member, if I didn’t take them they would have gone into care and that was not an option to me so here we are.

I actually think that's a massive drip feed and the idea of controlling the toilet use of these children who have clearly been through a lot is not ok. I posted earlier assuming they were you or em children and even then I thought they should be allowed to use it, but children who have been removed from their homes already? Please just let their need to toilet be placed above your dislike of smell.

I realise my post sounds awful I really don't intend it to be I am not very articulate and I just wanted to say while I disagree with your toilet situation I take my hat off to you for what you are doing for these kids.

I’m not refusing them a toilet lol. It was a simple thread about wether I’d be unreasonable to block it off because I hate where it is. Just a thought. Then quickly realised yeah it would be a nightmare to do that so I’m not going to. And it’s not a drip feed. How is the fact I took on someone else’s kids relevant in the op? I only mentioned it because I knew someone would judge and say why have so many kids in a small house.. anyway I’m not blocking it off. Hopefully we can move somewhere else soon that’s bigger and has better location of bathrooms! For my sanity if nothing else

OP posts:

Giggorata · 18/03/2023 17:14

Nine people with one loo, ooh very difficult, especially with DC.

But I wanted to come on and say that I once put into disuse a loo at work.
It was in a vast room the size of a bedroom just on its own, and the team really needed the space for storage. We weren't allowed to do any alterations.
So I had it thoroughly cleaned and had a box built that would cover it up and then filled the room with free standing shelves.
We kept the cistern handle reachable, as we were told we had to flush the loo every so often, probably die to Legionella or something, so I gave a team member the task of doing that once a week.

longtompot · 18/03/2023 17:20

ReadtheFT · 18/03/2023 14:21

OMG the pearl clutching about a cat left outside hahaha, whats wrong with people its a pet not a baby.
Mine is out for hours, often all night, no cat flap so if hes out when we leave the house he stays out. No issue!

We have neighbours who do this and we have to put up with the cats yowling through the night. It really isn't fun.

Is there anyway you could put up a room divider near the door, to block off the sight, if not the smells, from the loo? I can't quite picture what the layout is.

premicrois · 18/03/2023 17:22

Sorry OP like I said I wasn't trying to sound bad in my post, clearly it came across worse then I though because even with an added note that I didn't mean it bad and a credit to you it still sounded bad to you. Sorry.

Somethingneedstochange78 · 18/03/2023 17:25

No the loo door opens into the gap in between the kitchen and the bathroom. That's why there has to be a gap. The gap also had a door that went out into the yard so plenty of fresh air coming in. I had the dryer plugged in and stored towels in.

The kitchen door for obvious reasons has to open into the kitchen not the gap in between. In both houses it was our main bathroom as the old bathroom had been made into a bedroom make it 3 bedrooms. So yes obviously there was a sink in both bathrooms to wash our hands. I kept it well ventilated and never smelt toilet smells in the kitchen if that's what you're implying. Have I made that clear enough?