Putting an outside loo back?

[DespairingHomeowner]

Hello - definitely a question inspired by the pandemic!

In the area I grew up in, lots of houses (Victorian terraces) had outside loos ... mainly used by kids pals to avoid traipsing mud into the house

I’m looking at a property to buy which has a ‘storage shed’ at back of kitchen, with a garden tap inside... I’m almost certain it’s the old outside loo (house c.1910)

How could I work out if I could reinstate it? It’s a stop gap for a few years while I consider extending but would work for me for Covid garden socialising and elderly visitors

Has anyone find this? I do appreciate it’s a bit of an unusual move...

Actually I went to a party ages ago pre covid and they had done up their outside loo.,it was lovely and I thought what a fab idea!

That’s a genius plan! Am now looking to see where I can squeeze one in.

Had one in our old house and it was great for post muddy ramble bursting for the loo dashes without having to worry about house keys and shedding wellies.

We had one growing up (1980s) I hated it, and rarely ever used it, as it was always cold and there were nearly always a few spiders lurking!

Can you see if the drainage is still there?? The previous people at ours had filled it in so builder advised not worth opening up.....!
If it still works then I would but get a decent door!

Great idea. My nephew has one and it's great in the summer when he has bbqs. Also when his kids have garden play dates.

Wonder if you can still buy that special loo paper for outside loos

@toomanyspiderplants

What the stuff like grease proof paper in boxes . We had that inside when I was a kid!

My ILs have one and it's been brilliant for covid! Also good for bbqs beforehand. It's got a proper pvc door so it's not draughty or spidery

My friend growing up lived in a Victorian house and I was fascinated by their outdoor loo that was attached to other outbuildings. Her parents are still in the house and it's been a god send during outdoor visits.

An extra loo is usually a good idea. My grandma had an outside loo and it was fab for us kids.

[quote movingonup20]@toomanyspiderplants

What the stuff like grease proof paper in boxes . We had that inside when I was a kid![/quote]
That's the stuff! you had a hard upbringing @movingonup20 ....well your bottoms did!

Wonder if you can still buy that special loo paper for outside loos

We use to have it at primary school as they had outside toilets there until I was 9.

It's called Izal now but I can't seem to find any to buy.

We had the tracing paper toilet paper at school as well (I think we had it in the outdoor toilet too - another reason for not using it!!)
What was the point of waterproof toilet paper???

We have an outside loo. It had never been used much before Covid, but it has been a massive bonus this year. Once we rehomed the spiders we freshened it up, a few coats of paint and a few accessories. We have had friends visit for drinks and barbecues and haven’t had to bother with anyone coming into our house.
We had a few friends who turned their noses up when we made it clear guests had to go outside, but once they saw it they were fine.
It has been a lifesaver this Summer.

I'm guessing the most important thing is not the tap but the waste thing the loo drains into ( soil pipe - I think ) is that still there - otherwise it might be more expensive. depending on where drains are etc. Probably worth getting a plumber to look or possibly a person like Piglet John on here would be able to give you a steer as to how to spot if you have this.

Love this idea. I think they need to come back in fashion tbh. I would definitely send DH outside if I could!

[quote movingonup20]@toomanyspiderplants

What the stuff like grease proof paper in boxes . We had that inside when I was a kid![/quote]
We did too! IZAL toilet paper and I used to use it for tracing paper as a kid. Ours was on a roll though.

We turned outs round so it actually became an inside loo, accessed from the utility room, but literally next to the back door. It's really easy to access from outside, but no-one actually has to traipse through the house to use it. Far less spiders too 😉

Thanks for the comments ... will have to beware of spiders then

My parents lived in a house for a while with an outside loo (and others in the house of course) that they did up. My dad used to love hiding in there with his newspaper of a weekend morning and letting my stepmum deal with the four of us!

We’ve got one, it’s coming out when we build an extension, we’ll miss it, it’s been brilliant this year.