A: Very slowly and carefully.
This became something of a mantra on a recent project we completed for a client who depended entirely on a single ground-floor wetroom. With no second bathroom available and specialist adaptations already in place, there was no room for error—and no spare space for the client to use during the work. Every move had to be planned, sequenced, and tidied back each day so that the room could remain partially functional overnight.
Careful Phasing in a Live Environment
The wetroom was essential, not just a convenience. That meant working in tight daily windows to strip, rebuild, and then reassemble the room for evening use—right down to reinstalling the toilet every afternoon.
Walls were taken right back to brick to correct long-term water damage behind the original tiling. This provided a clean and stable substrate for installing new wall linings—Altro Whiterock hygienic wall panels—which replaced the original tiles. The upgrade improved not only water resistance but also hygiene control, making daily cleaning far easier and reducing long-term risk of mould and bacteria buildup.
A Complex Toilet Installation
The toilet itself was a key challenge. This wasn’t a standard pan—it was a specialist wash/dry unit with built-in bidet and dryer functions, requiring a fused spur for electrical power and very precise plumbing alignment. With no option to leave it disconnected overnight, the team had to uninstall and reinstall the full system—complete with temporary electrical isolation and safe reconnection—each evening before leaving site.
Salvaging and Reusing Sanitaryware
To manage budget and waste, we retained and refitted key sanitaryware items including the washbasin and grab rails. These were thoroughly cleaned, stored securely during the works, and repositioned after the walls were boarded and sealed. Floor finishes were upgraded with new welded-sheet safety flooring, allowing for seamless integration with the new wetroom layout.
Precision, Planning, and Patience
Wetroom refits are always a challenge—but when they’re live, essential-use environments, the approach needs to be calm, meticulous, and highly coordinated.
And yes—"Very slowly and carefully" sums it up better than most.
Share this post: