Renovating a bathroom in a period property
Plan for the building first, then the finishes. In period homes, the structure and services shape the budget.
London's Victorian and Edwardian houses make beautiful bathrooms — and hide plenty of surprises behind the plaster.
Key takeaways
Expect uneven floors and walls that need levelling before tiling.
Joists may have been notched by earlier plumbers and need repair.
Old lead or galvanised pipework is usually replaced during a renovation.
Older systems can struggle with modern showers; pressure may need upgrading.
Original features — windows, cornicing, floorboards — can shape a better design.
Structure
Floors, joists and walls
Joists
Previous plumbing work often notched joists too deeply; these are strengthened before new floors go down.
Floors
Timber floors move. Wet areas need stiff, well-fixed boards before tanking and tiling.
Walls
Lath and plaster or uneven brick usually needs boarding or re-plastering to get flat, tileable surfaces.
Services
Pipework, pressure and drainage
- Lead pipes were used in many homes until the 1970s and are best replaced with copper or plastic.
- Water pressure from older systems may not suit rainfall showers; a pump, unvented cylinder or larger pipework may be needed.
- Soil stacks are often external on period houses; new connections need careful planning, especially on front elevations.
- Electrics may need upgrading to provide RCD protection and new circuits.
Character
Keeping the character of the house
Period bathrooms work best when the design responds to the house: tall windows, cornicing and proportions. Classic elements — chequerboard or encaustic-style floors, metro tiles, washstands — sit well alongside modern showers. See Checkerboard Classic in Teddington and Pattern and Precision in Wimbledon.
Listed buildings need consent for many internal changes. Conservation areas may restrict external pipework and vents.
Budget
Budgeting for the unknown
Allow a contingency for what is found when the old bathroom comes out. Our guide to bathroom renovation costs in London explains where the money goes.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Usually — floors, walls and pipework often need more preparation than in newer homes.
Outside the wet zones sometimes, but wet areas need a waterproofed, stable substrate.
Often, with the right water pressure. A survey of the hot water system tells you what is needed.
Many are worth keeping and re-enamelling; they are heavy, so the floor must be checked.
Sources
Sources and further reading
Related services: full bathroom renovation, bathroom design. Related projects: Checkerboard Classic, Pattern and Precision, Black Frame, White Marble.
