Adding Bathroom in Ground floor of 1st Floor Apartment

davemc1987

Hi, 
I am wondering if re-routing the plumbing in the ground floor of a 1st floor apartment is allowed/possible?
Are the plumbing works in an apartment static and cannot be change? Or could we chisel out a channel (assuming concrete floor) in the floor to extend waste pipe to another location in ground floor of an apartment?
If yes, Is it a big effort to get everyone to agree (other residents (noise), management company). Has anyone any experience with this?
Dave

Gumbo

Do you own both floors?

You state ground and first floor.

davemc1987

Yes, There are 2 apartments, one on ground floor (1 floor apt) and then one above (2 floor apt, my one).
I would like to move the bathroom in the first floor of my apartment which is directly above the ground floor apartment.

K.Flyer

I seriously doubt you would be allowed to create a trench in a concrete floor of an apartment block to accommodate a 4" sewer pipe.
You would be cutting through the reinforced steel and compromising the structural integrity of the slab.
You will find in all modern apartment blocks that the sewer pipe from the toilets run across the top of the floor and are connected into a vertical common stack because there would not be enough concrete left above and below the pipe to maintain the strength and stress values.

davemc1987

Agree K.Flyer, thank you. I assume the run of pipe from the current location of the toilet to this vertical stack is short. 
So, a pipe would need to run above the concrete from the bathrooms new location and back to the vertical stack. Could a saniflo system be used and pump the waste up between the 2 floors of my apartment (assuming wooden joists) and then across to the vertical stack?
This all depends on the pipe locations, cost etc but theoretically, is it possible?

seamus

I'm still a bit confused as to the layout, but as said any major structural works are going to be a no-no. You may be able to just create a connection to the main service pipe without cutting into floors, but the further you go from it the harder it'll be to get an adequate drop from the toilet.

Your other option could be a macerator like a Saniflow. But obviously if you need to cross any hallways or doorways you're out of luck.

You should also consider noise. If you alter your layout in this way, other residents may notice excessive noise when you use the bathroom, resulting in penalties for noise complaints.

K.Flyer

In theory, yes the saniflow is an option to investigate. However you need to be aware of the noise level from the pump and if it will affect your neighbour(s).
After that, pipe routing will be your next issue.
I would first take a look at the manufacturers web site and see if their maximum pumping pipe distance is greater than the distance you require.
While measuring, keep in mind vertical up and down as well as the horizontal run.
Also check if distance allowed is reduced by having elbow connections, in some things we work with you loose a metre of distance for every 90 degree elbow used, so double check that as well.
After that, you will still need the written authorisation to go ahead from your management company.

davemc1987

Thanks Seamus. Sorry for the confusion, I think I have my answer from the input here.

Gumbo

davemc1987 wrote: »

Yes, There are 2 apartments, one on ground floor (1 floor apt) and then one above (2 floor apt, my one).
I would like to move the bathroom in the first floor of my apartment which is directly above the ground floor apartment.

Ok in that case then. Can’t see you been able to do this.
You could run the pipes above the floor level but visually it may be crap.

davemc1987

Thanks all for your inputs. Appreciate it!

dazed+confused

seamus wrote: »

You should also consider noise. If you alter your layout in this way, other residents may notice excessive noise when you use the bathroom, resulting in penalties for noise complaints.

If only such a system existed, half the threads on here wouldn't exist!