Building a wetroom and bedroom

[Tabbycat]

My builders started this week on the extension that will house my bedroom and wetroom. There was a 1-week delay which felt like forever.

Over the last 2-weeks I have found it increasingly difficult to get into my my current shower as I need to be able to step in and I've only achieved this twice.

I am so looking forward to it being finished, it will make such a difference. Slightly apprehensive as to how I'm going to get through the dark days of all the turmoil, disruption and dust, but I know you guys will be here to support me.

[denise]

Hows it going Tabbycat ?

[Ellie]

Slightly apprehensive as to how I'm going to get through the dark days of all the turmoil, disruption and dust

Each dusty, noisy day is one day nearer to you having a lovely safe shower using your newly bought posh bodywash and your new fluffy towels 😁

Are the builders nice and don't leave too big of a mess? xx

[shelly21]

Keep imaging the decor, soft fluffy towels and exotic oils in your shower gel. X

[JamesW]

My wet room was the best thing ever……. I get a lovely shower every day happily reclined in my shower chair 😀😀😀

[Tabbycat]

Thanks guys I knew I could rely on you, that's helped no end....I'll come back here on those dark days and read this 🥰

It's been a good week for them to start as my husband has been here in the mornings, so has been making them cups of tea and keeping them sweet. Living up to his name of Mr.T

Ellie So far they seem to be keeping very tidy and have made me a lovely runway out of boards so I can get to the driveway over the mud.
PXL_20221007_153433519.jpg

[TinyLady]

Tabbycat - looks like you will be enjoying your new facilities in no time! I absolutely love my wet room. Like you I could no longer step into the shower and it was stressful. But now everything is easy to use.

I have new shower gels, towels, hair turban.... and a couple of new plants (of course). The building work was hard to live with at times but worth it.

[Ellie]

So far they seem to be keeping very tidy and have made me a lovely runway out of boards so I can get to the driveway over the mud.

Oh Tabs, how sweet of them 😇😇 xx

[Arcadian]

Cheers for sharing - some time ago, I started altering my bungalow about 6 months before I started to feel unusually ill with weak limbs etc. (now obviously understanding why)...

Consequently I've had a bathroom and kitchen rip-out on hold for over a year (most of the kitchen is out, fortunately hadn't started on the existing bathroom.
I live in a small bungalow with no load bearing walls, Father (84) is a retired Chartered Surveyor and wider family is skilled / qualified at building / plumbing / electrics.

For various practical (and psychological) reasons I've put off moving things forward, until I had a better idea of where things were going.

Is there a handy resource on basic practical accessible wetroom / bathroom dimensions, specifications and layout?

I've got to make some progress whilst still able to (wall & floor tanking and plumbing layout / fittings etc.) but I don't want to splash out on something that may have to be changed within 12 to 18 months...

[Tabbycat]

Arcadian contact your local authority Occupational Therapist. Here in Norfolk they have a team - Integrated Housing Adaptation Team (IHAT). These OTs specialise in housing adaptations.

We had an architect draw up some plans. They had experience of designing wetrooms and had worked with the IHAT team, so understood the wheelchair access needs. I then emailed these to the OT for comments. We had an online chat to discuss them.

Although I am a qualified OT myself this was not my area of expertise (I worked in brain injury and cognitive rehabilitation). The IHAT OT made suggestions I hadn't considered.
Consider:
- wheelchair access, door widths and turning circles, for a powered wheelchair, ramps from outside.
- space enough in the bathroom for yourself and a carer.
- toilet height will allow a shower chair to wheel over it.
- sink will allow a wheelchair/shower chair to fit under it.
- storage for potential equipment when it's not in use wheelchair, hoist, feeds, continence products etc.
- strength of ceiling structure if you want to be able to fit a ceiling track hoist.

Plan for the worst case scenario, hope for the best.

I have attached (hopefully) a link to a useful guide


I'm sure others will fill in any gaps.

[Claireflo]

Hope it's going well Tabbycat

[Christopher]

Tabbycat your list makes me realise that I should be looking for somewhere else to live.

Yes my landlord has said yes to hand rails but even the inch step from the shower is an issue.

Thank you for spending the time to write the list.

[Tabbycat]

Foundations all dug, concrete was poured Monday, walls are going up.

[Ellie]

Tabbycat That's progress Tabs, the walls will fly up. xx

[Christopher]

Tabbycat

I love the sculpture you have had erected in the middle of the image.

Will you be selling it, entitled "Stone Alone".