Porta Potty is a given, but...
June 21, 2021 9:27 AM Subscribe
How do we remodel our only bathroom and still live in our home?
Nine years after moving in, we're (well, mostly me) finally ready to tackle the bathroom renovation we originally thought we'd do before we occupied our space. However, it's the only bathroom in our home. So, I've got two questions about logistics:
First - how can we accomplish this task without disrupting our lives too much? We've discussed moving into a short term rental for a month or two, but we also have to deal with two monstrous cats and a very timid dog who would not handle the transition very well (or we would be on the hook for significant damages due to cat shenanigans). The human residents will be going back in to the office over the next couple months (I have a shower at work, partner does not), so maybe it's best to wait until then? What worked for you?
Second - we would like to hire someone to look at the bathroom and do some optimization of closet space/appliance placement/other stuff. I think we need some sort of interior designer that specializes in bathrooms - do those exist? Should we just go to the local kitchen and bath outfitter? I don't think we need an architect, but I would like someone who will draft up some sort of guidance that we can then hand to a contractor. Do you know anyone in the Boston area that does something like that?
Nine years after moving in, we're (well, mostly me) finally ready to tackle the bathroom renovation we originally thought we'd do before we occupied our space. However, it's the only bathroom in our home. So, I've got two questions about logistics:
First - how can we accomplish this task without disrupting our lives too much? We've discussed moving into a short term rental for a month or two, but we also have to deal with two monstrous cats and a very timid dog who would not handle the transition very well (or we would be on the hook for significant damages due to cat shenanigans). The human residents will be going back in to the office over the next couple months (I have a shower at work, partner does not), so maybe it's best to wait until then? What worked for you?
Second - we would like to hire someone to look at the bathroom and do some optimization of closet space/appliance placement/other stuff. I think we need some sort of interior designer that specializes in bathrooms - do those exist? Should we just go to the local kitchen and bath outfitter? I don't think we need an architect, but I would like someone who will draft up some sort of guidance that we can then hand to a contractor. Do you know anyone in the Boston area that does something like that?
How game would your partner be for an outdoor shower? Depending on how much capacity and flow you absolutely must have, you can get a propane shower for $127-400 dollars (Camplux cheapest Prime Day pricing), and you can build a place to stand while showering out of paving or walkway tiles, or a kiddie pool.
You can make a much more DIY version of this with a usb-rechargeable shower, a big bucket, and water heated on the stove or propane grill side-burner. But your summer weather better be truly gorgeous, or your construction time very brief, for this to not seem like a real hassle.
Third option is a gym membership, but a) those are hard to cancel b) in another COVID wave they may close or close their showers.
Fourth option, if you think you can get the non-navigable part of the work done quickly, would be washcloth baths plus one or two visits to a friend's house, your office if possible, or a hotel for one or two really decent showers.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:41 AM on June 21, 2021
You can make a much more DIY version of this with a usb-rechargeable shower, a big bucket, and water heated on the stove or propane grill side-burner. But your summer weather better be truly gorgeous, or your construction time very brief, for this to not seem like a real hassle.
Third option is a gym membership, but a) those are hard to cancel b) in another COVID wave they may close or close their showers.
Fourth option, if you think you can get the non-navigable part of the work done quickly, would be washcloth baths plus one or two visits to a friend's house, your office if possible, or a hotel for one or two really decent showers.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:41 AM on June 21, 2021
Also, if you're doing the work yourself (so not having to accommodate workers) and have a nearby modest-priced RV dump and were willing, you could probably use a cassette-type toilet (Thetford Porta Potti is the primary player in that market, but there are others). Or build a composting toilet, or use a camp toilet and bags with bio-gel.
But it's probably easier overall to rent an actual cubicle toilet and you may be required to if you're making serious enough changes that you're pulling permits for the renovation.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:46 AM on June 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
But it's probably easier overall to rent an actual cubicle toilet and you may be required to if you're making serious enough changes that you're pulling permits for the renovation.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:46 AM on June 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
+1 to "you just use it while it's under construction".
posted by bbqturtle at 11:18 AM on June 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by bbqturtle at 11:18 AM on June 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
Join a gym or wellness center? Sometimes the water pressure is better...
Also, maybe find an AirBNB host who is willing to let you rent a bathroom when they don't have other guests?
For emergencies: dry shampoo (this stuff gives me headaches, but YMMV); some kind of wipes for stinky areas.
Plan your meals/kitchen use so that you have space in the kitchen for face washing, teeth brushing, etc., and find some way to make the floor by the sink more water resistant.
HAVE A PLAN in case someone gets sick. They will need to go to motel/hotel because being sick without access to a toilet is not good.
Find a neighbor who will put up with you and, sure, maybe rely on their kindness as neighbors at first, but promise that after the third time you will give them $5/visit. If that makes them uncomfortable, maybe present them with a decorative jar for your $5 deposits, and tell them they can donate it to a charity they choose or that you both pick out together.
Also: make sure any contracts you have with renovators have financial penalties for extreme overages.
posted by amtho at 12:22 PM on June 21, 2021 [2 favorites]
Also, maybe find an AirBNB host who is willing to let you rent a bathroom when they don't have other guests?
For emergencies: dry shampoo (this stuff gives me headaches, but YMMV); some kind of wipes for stinky areas.
Plan your meals/kitchen use so that you have space in the kitchen for face washing, teeth brushing, etc., and find some way to make the floor by the sink more water resistant.
HAVE A PLAN in case someone gets sick. They will need to go to motel/hotel because being sick without access to a toilet is not good.
Find a neighbor who will put up with you and, sure, maybe rely on their kindness as neighbors at first, but promise that after the third time you will give them $5/visit. If that makes them uncomfortable, maybe present them with a decorative jar for your $5 deposits, and tell them they can donate it to a charity they choose or that you both pick out together.
Also: make sure any contracts you have with renovators have financial penalties for extreme overages.
posted by amtho at 12:22 PM on June 21, 2021 [2 favorites]
we remodeled both the kitchen and (only) bathroom in our coop studio several years ago and this was a standard part of the process (for folks like us in NYC without a second bathroom). This was pre-covid but as i recall we got by using a gym shower a couple of times, being away from our apartment for the worst week of it (staying with family/friends - we actually had an out of town wedding to attend) and yes, using it while it was definitely under construction. We made clear to our builder that we expected to be able to continue to use the bathroom in the evenings/mornings during the work, and the worst was that it meant we needed an interim toilet before the permanent one came in. the economics of the construction industry unfortunately meant it was more cost effective for our contractor to buy a new cheap toilet, install it for a matter of several weeks, and ultimately toss it when it was time to install the permanent one. there were several days where the toilet was basically the only thing in the bathroom, but we dealt with it. not ideal by a long shot but just one of the less than ideal parts of doing construction in a dense city.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:32 PM on June 21, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:32 PM on June 21, 2021 [2 favorites]
Toilet: at 2 a.m., in the pouring rain, with no bathroom in sight, behold -- a five-gallon bucket from Lowes and a $12 snap-on toilet seat from Wal-Mart. It works. Be creative as you like about plastic bags and absorbent trash and all, but it saved our bacon a few times at several job sites.
Diapers, portable potties... same difference in sanitation.
Otherwise, you have the options of the library, various 24-hour businesses, helpful neighbors, the local police or fire stations, whatever might be open. Do not get dehydrated trying to ward off bathroom breaks at night.
Just about anything else can be done in the kitchen, including taking a washcloth bath and brushing your teeth. Find a nice friend who will loan their shower/bathtub when you absolutely have to wash your hair, or learn how to do it in the sink.
The deal breaker is when the water is turned off. Make sure that this only concerns the bathroom, not the kitchen and laundry areas.
Include a night or three at the local hotel in your budget, just in case the job site is unworkable for a brief time. Or see if a friend will let you couch-sit in exchange for good meals and a few household chores.
So far this is anticipating a week of remodel by a team of professionals who are paid by the job, not the hour.
If the project stretches past ten days, your patience may wear thin concerning the mess and dealing with the work crew.
Ask about timelines, readily-available stock versus ordering materials, building permits and inspections, anything that can delay project completion.
Ask about the dreaded words, "Bringing it up to code."
Toilet wax seals eventually leak. Make sure you can turn off the water, drain the bowl and tank, take it apart, change the wax seal, put it back together, turn the water back on, and get back to the business of having only one working commode in your domicile.
Hang in there. A good bathroom is a joy.
posted by TrishaU at 12:37 PM on June 21, 2021
Diapers, portable potties... same difference in sanitation.
Otherwise, you have the options of the library, various 24-hour businesses, helpful neighbors, the local police or fire stations, whatever might be open. Do not get dehydrated trying to ward off bathroom breaks at night.
Just about anything else can be done in the kitchen, including taking a washcloth bath and brushing your teeth. Find a nice friend who will loan their shower/bathtub when you absolutely have to wash your hair, or learn how to do it in the sink.
The deal breaker is when the water is turned off. Make sure that this only concerns the bathroom, not the kitchen and laundry areas.
Include a night or three at the local hotel in your budget, just in case the job site is unworkable for a brief time. Or see if a friend will let you couch-sit in exchange for good meals and a few household chores.
So far this is anticipating a week of remodel by a team of professionals who are paid by the job, not the hour.
If the project stretches past ten days, your patience may wear thin concerning the mess and dealing with the work crew.
Ask about timelines, readily-available stock versus ordering materials, building permits and inspections, anything that can delay project completion.
Ask about the dreaded words, "Bringing it up to code."
Toilet wax seals eventually leak. Make sure you can turn off the water, drain the bowl and tank, take it apart, change the wax seal, put it back together, turn the water back on, and get back to the business of having only one working commode in your domicile.
Hang in there. A good bathroom is a joy.
posted by TrishaU at 12:37 PM on June 21, 2021
If you have a bigger driveway could you borrow/rent a friends camper/RV to have on-site bathroom and maybe shower for a week or so. You wouldn’t have to ‘live’ or have the pets in the camper but could solve your toilet problems. If you’re cautious with water usage you can likely do necessary business in the camper for a week before needing to drive/tow to a dump station and refresh the water/waste situation….
posted by Northbysomewhatcrazy at 3:14 PM on June 21, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by Northbysomewhatcrazy at 3:14 PM on June 21, 2021 [2 favorites]
A thing that has been done is adding a small kludge toilet (+ shower-stall) in the basement. For extra kludgey-ness you can set the toilet up on a wood-frame throne so you don't have to smash up the floor (too much). A trusted plumber will have to advise you on how affordable/practical this approach is to your particular situation. (presuming dwelling with basement space).
Another thing that I've actually seen is clients living in an RV in the driveway during home renos (oh as mentioned above).
(There is a suggestion above about surviving a single-bathroom reno by re-connecting the toilet every night. Yes, it can be done, but like many things that can be done, it's challenging. I would advise against it, but it depends upon your tolerance for adventure.)
posted by ovvl at 3:45 PM on June 21, 2021
Another thing that I've actually seen is clients living in an RV in the driveway during home renos (oh as mentioned above).
(There is a suggestion above about surviving a single-bathroom reno by re-connecting the toilet every night. Yes, it can be done, but like many things that can be done, it's challenging. I would advise against it, but it depends upon your tolerance for adventure.)
posted by ovvl at 3:45 PM on June 21, 2021
Maybe I'm profoundly unlucky in my prior remodels, but the others who mention only a week of having the bathroom be unusable for a week seem... optimistic. Especially right now with all the supply chain constraints that are happening. Unless you're doing only a surface-level update, I personally would prepare for significantly more than a week (and probably double or triple how long the contractor claims it will take). And if they're tearing out flooring, drywall, fixtures, and so on, it's really not ideal (if even possible) to keep using it while the work is happening. At best, it will slow things down even more.
In your shoes, I would make arrangements for both people to shower elsewhere for at least a few weeks, in addition to the porta potty for toilet needs.
posted by primethyme at 7:29 PM on June 21, 2021 [2 favorites]
In your shoes, I would make arrangements for both people to shower elsewhere for at least a few weeks, in addition to the porta potty for toilet needs.
posted by primethyme at 7:29 PM on June 21, 2021 [2 favorites]
Oh, yeah -- get all the things, and have backups for all the things, before starting. I mean, this seems obvious, but who knows how contractors think -- make sure you *actually see* the things, and that they are *all stored in your house*, before starting.
posted by amtho at 8:32 PM on June 22, 2021
posted by amtho at 8:32 PM on June 22, 2021
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How it worked for us (two adults, one two-year-old, one cat): the whole job took just over a week. Regardless of what they did that day, each evening they reconnected the toilet and ensured there were enough planks in place that we could get to it. In the daytime we were all at workplaces or childcare, and I think on the days when we had no childcare I took kiddo to my parents'. With hindsight it probably helped that kiddo wasn't toilet trained at the time.
There was a shower at spouse's workplace but not at mine - I went to his workplace a couple of times to shower, and we let cleanliness standards slip a bit that week. Shaving and toothbrushing were done at the kitchen sink.
I think if we had both been working from home it would have been a total nightmare (noise, dust, invasion of space, no toilet during the day), though YMMV of course!
posted by altolinguistic at 9:35 AM on June 21, 2021 [5 favorites]