I hope this is the right section to post this.
I live in a house that was probably built in the 30s or 40s and had some remodeling done in the 60s or 70s. Nothing was done to code since I'm out in the woods and the people didn't seem to know what they were doing.
One of the main problem areas currently is the hall at the back of the house that leads to the back door (which is on the side of the house), a tiny useless bathroom, and a very cramped laundry room. During the winter it gets very cold there and summer it gets extremely hot. There was no insulation put in the exterior walls and the tenants ripped the wall panels off and ruined the old parkay wood floor. The subfloor has some damage and a plastic sheet (probably a moisture barrier is visible. We had linoleum installed but the installers messed it up and the white powder mixed with water that was used to patch some holes seems to have broken up in some spots. The linoleum ripped when the new Electrolux IQ touch washer and dryer were being put in a few years ago.
This is the set we have (complete with pedestals):
They are each 27" wide and 31.5" deep. I forgot to measure the height with pedestals but they stick up over the window in the laundry room. If crammed together so they are touching, they are about 54" wide. Their doors are about 4" thick when opened bc of the clear plastic stuff on the inside to hold clothes in.
Other than the washer/dryer set, the only good thing about the area is the vintage ceiling fan (I believe its Evergo). Remember when they used to put stencils on ceiling fan blades? These ones have gold-colored stencils on white blades. We installed the fan in the 80s.
The bathroom is 72.5" from North to South and 56" from east to west. External measurements of the shower = 33"w x 35"l.
The toilet is crammed into the 23" space between the shower and the East wall. I know current building codes require at least 30" for the toilet space (at least 15" from center of the toilet to each side).
The hallway going to the laundry is approx. 34.5" wide for an 80" run and then it opens up to the laundry area.
The laundry area is about 94.5"w x 61"l (less the aforementioned 34.5" cutout for the hallway on the north wall). There are obstructions in various places such as protruding shutoff valves and capped pipe in Southwest corner and the north wall has the water supply and other things jutting out about 4" to 5". The north wall itself is about 60"w.
Because of the stuff behind the washer and dryer they end up jutting out about 35.5" in to the room, leaving about 25.5" of space to walk in front of them, open doors, and load laundry.
If the washer & dryer were put on the east wall they would be so cramped that the dryer door would not open far enough.
So I don't get too confusing, here is a diagram/rough sketch I made using MS paint.
When my ISP's late night free zone is open again I'll try to remember to upload some photos (but it was not easy to get decent ones in such a cramped space).
I don't have the right software to make everything proportionate and accurate so I know that I botched the sizes in the sketch.
Anyway, the bedroom nearest to the area is my brother's. He has two doors to his room (one on the east and one on the west). He weighs about 380lbs and is over 30" wide so he can't even sit on the toilet, he can only fit into the laundry area with his back to the wall (he has a very hard time fitting in with a laundry hamper) and he can't really move inside the shower.
I'm fairly certain none of the interior walls are load-bearing.
My brother was thinking of ditching his door on the east side since he doesn't currently use it (he actually suggested gutting his closet and having a door that leads directly in to the pantry so he can grab snacks whenever he wants-- but I know he was joking) but I think we'll keep it so he will be able to access the bathroom area once it is fixed up.
I plan to demo the walls and remove the shower and toilet myself. I have a friend who recently remodeled his own house who said he would help (I helped him with his house). He knows how to run electrical, put up drywall, etc. I actually have wall panels that were pulled out of the pantry when we gutted it.
Right now I need help with:
* The layout-- figuring out the best use of space for the area after the bathroom walls are torn down
* Whether or not any of the walls should NOT be torn down
* Selecting flooring that is water resistant, can withstand all sorts of abuse (heavy things falling-- appliances being moved), but isn't too expensive.
* Making sure everything is done to building codes for my area (which I'm sure are actually fairly loose or are not really enforced bc I see new construction going up that I know would not be to code in other places).
* Whether or not I should keep a shower in the area or just ditch it all together.
* Figuring out how much money should be spent on the project. Value of house probably not important bc the market here is awful (but people do want the land).
My current ideas:
Plan A1: Gut everything, insulate exterior walls, put up paneling, not sure where to put things. Was thinking of having a toilet stall in either the same place as the current toilet or moving the toilet to the south wall or something. Either full walls around the toilet or more like the stalls you find in store bathrooms (which would probably look pretty tacky but would work). Might keep the existing toilet even though it blows (would love to get another Toto Drake but I don't think mom would splurge for that-- would actually like to take her old Toto drake and get a Drake II for her bathroom). We have a small vanity with a large sink that could be used for hand-washing after toilet use as well as for rinsing some clothes and/or handwashing things. (I'll get measurements on that sink later). Ideas for door to toilet area ranged from bifold doors to a simple curtain. No shower in this version.
Pros: Plenty of open space to work with and easy to access laundry area without bumping into walls. My brother would have his own designated bathroom and would not have to wake me up to go through my room to go to my bathroom and I would not have to clean up his mess afterward. He would not wake mother up by stumbling into her room loudly in the middle of the night to use her bathroom, thus she would not be in such a bad mood when she wakes up. I would not have to clean his toilet.
Cons: Aesthetically might not look balanced for back door and would not have a wall to keep out cold/hot air-- less wall space for storage. Lack of shower reduces home value slightly and bro would need to use someone else's shower.
Plan A2: Same as plan A except maybe with something for a shower. It would have to be big enough to fit my brother so he could freely move around inside (and it would have to be tall enough since he's over 6") yet small enough not to cut in to the space in that area. Showerhead would be one of those detachable ones that that can be moved around to spray harder to reach spots-- but could also be used to spray laundry or other items if need be. I've seen showers where there is only one wall and a shower curtain circles-- but I think my bro would need support if he slipped and I'd like to have a grab bar somewhere in the area. I'm debating whether a shower pan would be a good idea or if it would be better to create a custom shower-- perhaps using a membrane instead of stupid plastic liner (and hot-mopping is a definite "no"). Not sure how to make one without tile though-- and my mother HATES tile.
Pros: Same as A1 but add in shower which would give brother place to clean up and maintain home value. Could help wash other items that won't fit in sink. My brother wouldn't have to go into my room or my mother's room and make a mess in the bathroom when he takes a shower.
Cons: less wall space, less space for other things if shower included. Shower would be more expensive and must be done properly or can leak and ruin floor. Requires more plumbing changes.
Plan B1: Pretty much the same as Plan A1 except the north wall of the bathroom would stay as a bit of a divider (and to provide some wall space for storage). Aesthetically it would probably look better than just having the laundry room exposed.
Pros: More wall space for storage. Aesthetically balanced for back door. Gives divider to break flow of cold/hot air from door.
Cons: Probably have to remove bathroom door for it. Might make it a bit more cramped when trying to access laundry area.
Plan B2: Same as A2 except north bathroom wall would stay.
Same pros and cons as B1.
Plan C1&2: Same as B1&2 except north bathroom wall would extend all the way to the west wall, allowing my brother to reach the bathroom area in privacy. Not sure how well that would work. Perhaps we could use a curtain or something there. We currently have a curtain in the archway from the kitchen to the back hall. A lot of heat and cold comes in from that door so the separation helps.
Pros: More privacy for bro. Possibly more area set aside as bathroom? (depends on placement of everything). Divider keeps cold/hot air flow blocked and allows room to stay warmer/cooler. Possibly more wall space for storage/shelves.
Cons: Less space for laundry. Might be harder to access area when carrying laundry (more cramped). Probably more expensive bc some walls will have to be added and will require more wall covering (which would be existing old wall panels plus cheap plywood painted in Killz-- already have Killz). Part of wall might have to go at neo angle to not interfere with brother's door.
Other notes: The window in the laundry room is just under 23"wide and is 18" from the south wall. The bathroom has no lighting and is being used as a storage closet so I didn't get the window measurement there. That window in particular is home to spiders. The whole room is probably a spider nest by now actually. The measurements are approximate since I am not very handy with a measuring tape and I have trouble seeing the smaller lines. If it isn't .25 or .5 or right on the mark of a main number I have trouble seeing it.
The vanity/sink is like this:
but will have a higher faucet-- I wish I could find one with a spray attachment that wouldn't be expensive.
Another thought is that part of the existing north wall of the bathroom could be kept but part of it removed to give a wider space but still have some division.
Things that would be nice to have in the room if space/$ allows:
* some sort of surface for folding laundry
* some place to store dirty laundry waiting to be washed but that is out of reach for cats so they can't use it as a litterbox
* A place where clean laundry can be set/stored before being folded or put away (perhaps an unmatched sock bin somewhere so we can try to collect up the socks and match them).
* An electric vent that removes moisture from the air so the room does not become too damp (I think current bathroom has vent-lite-heat thingy but am not certain).
* Find place to re-use between-the-studs mirrored medicine cabinet (I know it wouldn't be able to go on the exterior walls unless I just built a box to go around it and have it jut out from the wall or something).
* Enough space to bring in a folding chair or seat so laundry can be handled while sitting (my mother will need this). Would be nice if there was room for a chair that is actually comfortable that can be moved in to place.
* Since cats might be prone to go there, a litterbox area:
Picture ideas for inspiration
Storage-- rods that stick out for drying things (could be placed directly on wall)
But I'm only 5'5" so it would have to be within reach unless I had an apparatus for grabbing things.
Drying thing that pulls out for use and collapses to wall when not in use.
Drawers that pull out and have racks for drying
More things that fold out from the wall
Rolling shelf thingy that goes between machines or could go between machine and wall.
Too bad we probably don't have space for something like this (but with frosted glass)
Anyone know of good free software for laying this stuff out-- something easy to use?
Any comments, questions, suggestions, & encouraging statements would be appreciated.
PS. The room will have to be cat friendly.
I live in a house that was probably built in the 30s or 40s and had some remodeling done in the 60s or 70s. Nothing was done to code since I'm out in the woods and the people didn't seem to know what they were doing.
One of the main problem areas currently is the hall at the back of the house that leads to the back door (which is on the side of the house), a tiny useless bathroom, and a very cramped laundry room. During the winter it gets very cold there and summer it gets extremely hot. There was no insulation put in the exterior walls and the tenants ripped the wall panels off and ruined the old parkay wood floor. The subfloor has some damage and a plastic sheet (probably a moisture barrier is visible. We had linoleum installed but the installers messed it up and the white powder mixed with water that was used to patch some holes seems to have broken up in some spots. The linoleum ripped when the new Electrolux IQ touch washer and dryer were being put in a few years ago.
This is the set we have (complete with pedestals):
They are each 27" wide and 31.5" deep. I forgot to measure the height with pedestals but they stick up over the window in the laundry room. If crammed together so they are touching, they are about 54" wide. Their doors are about 4" thick when opened bc of the clear plastic stuff on the inside to hold clothes in.
Other than the washer/dryer set, the only good thing about the area is the vintage ceiling fan (I believe its Evergo). Remember when they used to put stencils on ceiling fan blades? These ones have gold-colored stencils on white blades. We installed the fan in the 80s.
The bathroom is 72.5" from North to South and 56" from east to west. External measurements of the shower = 33"w x 35"l.
The toilet is crammed into the 23" space between the shower and the East wall. I know current building codes require at least 30" for the toilet space (at least 15" from center of the toilet to each side).
The hallway going to the laundry is approx. 34.5" wide for an 80" run and then it opens up to the laundry area.
The laundry area is about 94.5"w x 61"l (less the aforementioned 34.5" cutout for the hallway on the north wall). There are obstructions in various places such as protruding shutoff valves and capped pipe in Southwest corner and the north wall has the water supply and other things jutting out about 4" to 5". The north wall itself is about 60"w.
Because of the stuff behind the washer and dryer they end up jutting out about 35.5" in to the room, leaving about 25.5" of space to walk in front of them, open doors, and load laundry.
If the washer & dryer were put on the east wall they would be so cramped that the dryer door would not open far enough.
So I don't get too confusing, here is a diagram/rough sketch I made using MS paint.
When my ISP's late night free zone is open again I'll try to remember to upload some photos (but it was not easy to get decent ones in such a cramped space).
I don't have the right software to make everything proportionate and accurate so I know that I botched the sizes in the sketch.
Anyway, the bedroom nearest to the area is my brother's. He has two doors to his room (one on the east and one on the west). He weighs about 380lbs and is over 30" wide so he can't even sit on the toilet, he can only fit into the laundry area with his back to the wall (he has a very hard time fitting in with a laundry hamper) and he can't really move inside the shower.
I'm fairly certain none of the interior walls are load-bearing.
My brother was thinking of ditching his door on the east side since he doesn't currently use it (he actually suggested gutting his closet and having a door that leads directly in to the pantry so he can grab snacks whenever he wants-- but I know he was joking) but I think we'll keep it so he will be able to access the bathroom area once it is fixed up.
I plan to demo the walls and remove the shower and toilet myself. I have a friend who recently remodeled his own house who said he would help (I helped him with his house). He knows how to run electrical, put up drywall, etc. I actually have wall panels that were pulled out of the pantry when we gutted it.
Right now I need help with:
* The layout-- figuring out the best use of space for the area after the bathroom walls are torn down
* Whether or not any of the walls should NOT be torn down
* Selecting flooring that is water resistant, can withstand all sorts of abuse (heavy things falling-- appliances being moved), but isn't too expensive.
* Making sure everything is done to building codes for my area (which I'm sure are actually fairly loose or are not really enforced bc I see new construction going up that I know would not be to code in other places).
* Whether or not I should keep a shower in the area or just ditch it all together.
* Figuring out how much money should be spent on the project. Value of house probably not important bc the market here is awful (but people do want the land).
My current ideas:
Plan A1: Gut everything, insulate exterior walls, put up paneling, not sure where to put things. Was thinking of having a toilet stall in either the same place as the current toilet or moving the toilet to the south wall or something. Either full walls around the toilet or more like the stalls you find in store bathrooms (which would probably look pretty tacky but would work). Might keep the existing toilet even though it blows (would love to get another Toto Drake but I don't think mom would splurge for that-- would actually like to take her old Toto drake and get a Drake II for her bathroom). We have a small vanity with a large sink that could be used for hand-washing after toilet use as well as for rinsing some clothes and/or handwashing things. (I'll get measurements on that sink later). Ideas for door to toilet area ranged from bifold doors to a simple curtain. No shower in this version.
Pros: Plenty of open space to work with and easy to access laundry area without bumping into walls. My brother would have his own designated bathroom and would not have to wake me up to go through my room to go to my bathroom and I would not have to clean up his mess afterward. He would not wake mother up by stumbling into her room loudly in the middle of the night to use her bathroom, thus she would not be in such a bad mood when she wakes up. I would not have to clean his toilet.
Cons: Aesthetically might not look balanced for back door and would not have a wall to keep out cold/hot air-- less wall space for storage. Lack of shower reduces home value slightly and bro would need to use someone else's shower.
Plan A2: Same as plan A except maybe with something for a shower. It would have to be big enough to fit my brother so he could freely move around inside (and it would have to be tall enough since he's over 6") yet small enough not to cut in to the space in that area. Showerhead would be one of those detachable ones that that can be moved around to spray harder to reach spots-- but could also be used to spray laundry or other items if need be. I've seen showers where there is only one wall and a shower curtain circles-- but I think my bro would need support if he slipped and I'd like to have a grab bar somewhere in the area. I'm debating whether a shower pan would be a good idea or if it would be better to create a custom shower-- perhaps using a membrane instead of stupid plastic liner (and hot-mopping is a definite "no"). Not sure how to make one without tile though-- and my mother HATES tile.
Pros: Same as A1 but add in shower which would give brother place to clean up and maintain home value. Could help wash other items that won't fit in sink. My brother wouldn't have to go into my room or my mother's room and make a mess in the bathroom when he takes a shower.
Cons: less wall space, less space for other things if shower included. Shower would be more expensive and must be done properly or can leak and ruin floor. Requires more plumbing changes.
Plan B1: Pretty much the same as Plan A1 except the north wall of the bathroom would stay as a bit of a divider (and to provide some wall space for storage). Aesthetically it would probably look better than just having the laundry room exposed.
Pros: More wall space for storage. Aesthetically balanced for back door. Gives divider to break flow of cold/hot air from door.
Cons: Probably have to remove bathroom door for it. Might make it a bit more cramped when trying to access laundry area.
Plan B2: Same as A2 except north bathroom wall would stay.
Same pros and cons as B1.
Plan C1&2: Same as B1&2 except north bathroom wall would extend all the way to the west wall, allowing my brother to reach the bathroom area in privacy. Not sure how well that would work. Perhaps we could use a curtain or something there. We currently have a curtain in the archway from the kitchen to the back hall. A lot of heat and cold comes in from that door so the separation helps.
Pros: More privacy for bro. Possibly more area set aside as bathroom? (depends on placement of everything). Divider keeps cold/hot air flow blocked and allows room to stay warmer/cooler. Possibly more wall space for storage/shelves.
Cons: Less space for laundry. Might be harder to access area when carrying laundry (more cramped). Probably more expensive bc some walls will have to be added and will require more wall covering (which would be existing old wall panels plus cheap plywood painted in Killz-- already have Killz). Part of wall might have to go at neo angle to not interfere with brother's door.
Other notes: The window in the laundry room is just under 23"wide and is 18" from the south wall. The bathroom has no lighting and is being used as a storage closet so I didn't get the window measurement there. That window in particular is home to spiders. The whole room is probably a spider nest by now actually. The measurements are approximate since I am not very handy with a measuring tape and I have trouble seeing the smaller lines. If it isn't .25 or .5 or right on the mark of a main number I have trouble seeing it.
The vanity/sink is like this:
but will have a higher faucet-- I wish I could find one with a spray attachment that wouldn't be expensive.
Another thought is that part of the existing north wall of the bathroom could be kept but part of it removed to give a wider space but still have some division.
Things that would be nice to have in the room if space/$ allows:
* some sort of surface for folding laundry
* some place to store dirty laundry waiting to be washed but that is out of reach for cats so they can't use it as a litterbox
* A place where clean laundry can be set/stored before being folded or put away (perhaps an unmatched sock bin somewhere so we can try to collect up the socks and match them).
* An electric vent that removes moisture from the air so the room does not become too damp (I think current bathroom has vent-lite-heat thingy but am not certain).
* Find place to re-use between-the-studs mirrored medicine cabinet (I know it wouldn't be able to go on the exterior walls unless I just built a box to go around it and have it jut out from the wall or something).
* Enough space to bring in a folding chair or seat so laundry can be handled while sitting (my mother will need this). Would be nice if there was room for a chair that is actually comfortable that can be moved in to place.
* Since cats might be prone to go there, a litterbox area:
Picture ideas for inspiration
Storage-- rods that stick out for drying things (could be placed directly on wall)
But I'm only 5'5" so it would have to be within reach unless I had an apparatus for grabbing things.
Drying thing that pulls out for use and collapses to wall when not in use.
Drawers that pull out and have racks for drying
More things that fold out from the wall
Rolling shelf thingy that goes between machines or could go between machine and wall.
Too bad we probably don't have space for something like this (but with frosted glass)
Anyone know of good free software for laying this stuff out-- something easy to use?
Any comments, questions, suggestions, & encouraging statements would be appreciated.
PS. The room will have to be cat friendly.
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