Yes, we fit wet rooms in Allerton. Most of the L18 jobs we are asked about involve a small first-floor bathroom in an inter-war semi, where the bath is swapped for a level-access shower with a tanked floor and a linear or point drain. Ground-floor wet rooms in bungalows and extensions are the other common request.
What does an Allerton house usually mean for a wet room?
A large share of Allerton is made up of semi-detached houses built between the wars, along with some later bungalows and detached homes. That housing stock shapes the work more than anything else. The typical bathroom sits at the back of the first floor, is fairly compact, and has a suspended timber floor. A timber floor is not a problem for a wet room, but it does decide how we create the fall to the drain.
Timber floors upstairs
On a joisted floor we usually lift the boards, set a pre-formed shower former between the joists and re-board around it so the whole floor is solid and stiff. The former gives the gentle slope to the drain without a step. Before committing, we check which way the joists run, whether the waste pipe can reach the soil stack at a workable gradient, and whether any joists have been notched in the past by plumbers or electricians.
Ground floors and extensions
Some Allerton homes have had a downstairs toilet or utility room added at the back. Where the floor is concrete, a wet room may need channelling for the drain run. It can be a good choice when stairs are becoming difficult, though space is usually the limiting factor, so we measure carefully for turning space and door width.
Which layout suits a compact L18 bathroom?
In a bathroom of around two metres by two metres, a full wet room often works best because there is no tray edge to plan around and the whole floor becomes the showering area. A fixed glass screen keeps spray off the basin and toilet. If you would rather keep a more conventional look, a walk-in shower with a low-profile tray is simpler and can suit someone who is steady on their feet but finds stepping over a bath awkward. Our page on wet rooms for small bathrooms goes into layouts in more detail.
- Bath out, level shower in the same footprint, toilet and basin left in place where possible
- Linear drain along the back wall so the floor falls one way
- Fold-down seat and rails fixed to a wall that can take the load
- Underfloor heating and a good extractor fan to help the room dry quickly
Is a Disabled Facilities Grant possible in Allerton?
Allerton falls under Liverpool City Council, so that is where a Disabled Facilities Grant application would go. It normally starts with an occupational therapist assessment, and adults are means-tested. We cannot promise an outcome or say how long the council will take, but we are happy to work with whatever the OT recommends. Our DFG wet room page explains the stages in plain terms.
How a job in Allerton runs
When you call, we ask who the room is for, what they find hard at the moment and whether a therapist or the council is already involved. We then visit, measure up, look under the floor where we can and check the drainage. You get a written quote and plan. On the day the work starts, we strip out the old suite, form the floor and drainage, tank the room, tile or panel the walls, fit the shower, seat and rails, and a qualified electrician handles the electrics. A typical room usually takes around a week, though it depends on what we find.
We also cover the neighbouring areas of Mossley Hill and Woolton, and if you want to see the bigger picture first, our main page on wet rooms in Liverpool sets out everything we do. For a sense of what moves the price, read the wet room cost guide.
Talk to us about an Allerton wet room
Tell us a little about the bathroom and who will use it, and we will call you back. Ring 07777 659786 or use the form, and we can arrange a visit. Prefer to compare first? See how our local wet room installers approach each job.
Frequently asked questions
Can a wet room go in the upstairs bathroom of an Allerton semi?
Usually, yes. The suspended timber floor in most inter-war semis can take a shower former set between the joists, which gives a level floor with a fall to the drain. What we check first is the direction of the joists and whether the waste can reach the soil pipe at a proper gradient. Occasionally a small pump is needed, and we would explain that at the visit.
Which council deals with a DFG for an Allerton address?
Liverpool City Council handles Disabled Facilities Grant applications for Allerton. Most people start by asking for an occupational therapist assessment through the council. The grant is means-tested for adults, and tenants need their landlord’s consent. We can quote against the OT’s recommendations, but the decision and timescale sit with the council.
Should I keep the bath if there is only one bathroom?
It is worth thinking about. Some families with young children, or people who plan to sell, prefer to keep a bath. If the room is for someone who already finds the bath unsafe, a level shower is usually the more practical choice. We can talk through both options, including a bath to shower conversion.
Will the rest of the house be disrupted during the work?
The bathroom is out of use while we work, so you need another toilet or a plan for washing during that time. Water is isolated for short periods only. We keep dust down by sheeting the stairs and landing, and we clear waste away as we go. We talk through the order of work before we start.