Converting laundry room into a bathroom?

April 19, 2019 9:19 AM

I would like to convert my laundry room into a 2nd bathroom. (I use the laundromat mostly as its more efficient for my situation). My hot water heater is there, as well as hot/cold water pipes and a floor drain. Just wanting to hear from others who have attempted this and what advice they would have for me.
posted by caveatz to Home & Garden (7 answers total)

One of the houses I have lived in had a combination laundry room/powder room. There was a small stacking set washer/dryer, and a sink (the sink doubled as a laundry sink or place to fill wash buckets) and toilet, and the water heater was there. I might suggest doing something like that, rather than eliminating the laundry room completely, assuming you have the room?
posted by gudrun at 10:02 AM on April 19, 2019 [11 favorites]

yea, I would suggest the same as above, it may work best for you now to go to the laundromat, but that's healthy mobile you. Even something as minor as a sprained wrist can make it really difficult to lug your laundry out of the house, and then you'll be really happy to have a small stacked washer/dryer on hand.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 10:24 AM on April 19, 2019 [4 favorites]

Though, come to think of it, my last house has a small washer/dryer stacked in the corner of the kitchen, and it was great, very convenient. So you could convert your laundry room, but install a washer/dryer somewhere else in the house; they make them small enough to be tucked into a closet these days, an then you'd still have a backup to do your own laundry if you need to.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 10:28 AM on April 19, 2019 [1 favorite]

The conversion itself should not be problematic. However resale value could drop tremendously if there is no type of laundry facilities at all. Many homebuyers would like both a 2nd bath and laundry facilities but not having any laundry facilities will be a dealbreaker for more people than not having a 2nd bath will be. If you have the space, I'd go with a stackable washer/dryer set in a closet, adjacent or inside the new bath. Full size laundry in the garage is occasionally seen around here in older houses or smaller houses.
posted by beaning at 10:44 AM on April 19, 2019 [22 favorites]

Generally, code requires a larger diameter drain for toilets than for floor drains or laundry. You'll need to maintain the diameter drain all the way to the point where it leaves the house, either directly, or by connecting into an existing drain line of equal of greater diameter. You may also need to increase the size of the vent stack, to correspond with the larger drain pipe. It may be simple, or it may involve rebuilding walls and cutting holes in your roof to accommodate the new drain/vent. The specifics will vary with your local code, and the layout of your house, so do your own research or get in touch with someone who is knowledgeable in your area.
posted by yuwtze at 3:38 PM on April 19, 2019 [4 favorites]

If by 'bathroom' you mean toilet, yuwtze has identified the real issue. If you have good underfloor access, linking it to the sewer piping will probably be no big deal. Likewise, if the new one sits on an outside wall, especially if the sewer line is outside nearby. For a shower/bath, flooring and wall sheeting may be an issue, check your local building code.

I am a fan of the 'laundry in a cupboard' style (my last house), though in this one my washing machine is in the kitchen. Laundomats are not such a thing here, so not having a laundry (in one form or another) would be pretty much unthinkable, and certainly unsaleable.
posted by GeeEmm at 4:33 PM on April 19, 2019

I am also in the process of planning a similar reno, but I'm making room for a washer and dryer through going with a shower stall rather than a tub. I'll lose room for a laundry sink, which is annoying but manageable.

Also, if you ever want to sell your place or rent it out (I'm assuming you own, seeing as you can take on a reno), taking our laundry facilities would really hurt your property's appeal in most markets. I wouldn't even risk this unless you're living in something like a 1970s or earlier condo conversion building where ensuite laundry is rare and most properties of a similar value also wouldn't have full ensuite laundry.

Why not plan a reno that includes a small stacking washer/dryer combo or all-in-one unit in the bathroom or somewhere else in your home? Laundry-in-a-second-bathroom is pretty common in condos and smaller houses. Worst case scenario, see if you can fit one of those Euro combo units in your kitchen when it's time to sell or rent.
posted by blerghamot at 5:16 PM on April 19, 2019 [1 favorite]