Loft en suite - to pump or not to pump?

[lamandler]

That indeed is today's renovation question. Little did we know that by designing a loft with en suite at the front of a terrace property, our 'designer' would not have thought through waste/ceiling heights, etc. It's only now that builder is talking about pumps and raised shower trays, but with a 2050mm ceiling none of this is looking possible to my very untrained eye.

Has anyone had a similar design with en suite under the pitched roof, and somehow got waste to the back of the house without saniflo?

And were we wrong to think that someone drawing plans and building regs plans would have thought this through? Beginning to think either we have been really naive to place all our trust in 'professionals'.

Any plumbing advice would be great

There isn't, he always maintained "your plumber will sort that out". Building regs haven't batted an eyelid so far (independent of council, does that mean less likely to give a monkeys?). Builder did say he would talk to regs about it all.

I would avoid a saniflo.

Speaking from experience.

It's repulsing me too. The soil pipe is at the back, am thinking now we will have to get a redesign even though the velux window foe the en suite is already in. Jesus I am going to crack up!

But, if your other waste is at the back, where does it meet the mains sewer pipes? Where is your manhole?

We have a manhole at the front of the property, but our waste is at the back. We also have a second small toilet at the front of the house downstairs.

Did you use a proper architect?

The one we used was an architectural technician, and has been appalling in explaining any repercussions of his designs to us, and as complete greenhorns we trusted him. There is a mains sewer, manhole and soil stack all at the back of the house, and as a mid terrace no access from sides.

We were planning to switch to another firm for finishing building regs on the rest of the house, but may get them to look at this problem. More money/time wasted/stress

We have complained about many things. Will add this to the list. He is a one man band so we have no safety net. Honestly I could cry, this is our life savings ploughed into renovating our first family home, I always said design was going to be number one priority then fell for the first bloody salesman who walked through the door. Pretty devastated at how this is turning out.

(Turning into a therapy session now!)

LifeofPo you seem pretty knowledgeable, if you are a related professional and can recommend anyone it would be great - finding we can't get decent recommendations as most people round here used one stop shop loft companies (in SW London)

Thanks for the advice

Another one saying no to saniflo. Seriously, everyone I have ever heard of having saniflo installed has a story to tell of an expensive and disgusting disaster.

Which way do your floor joists in your loft conversion run and do they run the same way as the soil pipe would?

Instead of going down the architect route you could

1. try a surveyor. Get in touch with RICS or have a look at their website and find a chartered surveyor who does domestic projects. They will be up to date with regs and know how to sort it out. IME, they are brilliant.

1. Do a drawing of your current services, take your plans and visit your local council and ask to speak to building control. Eg, at our council you can turn up before 10 am I think and after 3.30 pm and they will see you in person. Ring them first to check.

1. If you trust your builder ask him how he'd get round the problem.

Good luck. Don,t panic. There is always a way. Chin up and deep breaths.

Thank you Deux (I've had some)

And no, the joists run side to side rather than front to back