Kitchen Can Be Moved to the Bathroom - Translation

In theory, the kitchen can be moved to the bathroom's location, but there are numerous restrictions and issues in actual operation, and it is not recommended to do so.

Pipeline and Drainage System Issues: The positions and directions of the sewage pipes in the bathroom and kitchen are different. The bathroom mainly discharges sewage from the toilet, washbasin, and shower, while the kitchen mainly discharges sewage from the vegetable sink. Toilet sewage needs to be connected to the reserved designated pipe nearby. If the kitchen is moved to the bathroom's location, whether the toilet drainage is directly discharged into the original kitchen's sewer pipe or extended horizontally to the original bathroom's pipe, it is prone to blockage. Rearranging the sewage system involves complex engineering and technical issues, and improper handling can seriously affect drainage function.

Building Structure Issues: If the house has load-bearing walls, moving the kitchen to the bathroom's location may affect the building's structural safety. Load-bearing walls are an important part of the building's structure, and their modification requires professional structural assessment and design. Otherwise, it may lead to potential safety hazards in the building, endangering the lives and property of the occupants.

Waterproofing Issues: The waterproofing requirements for bathrooms are high. Developers will carry out waterproofing and closed-water tests according to the drawings. During renovation, it is also recommended to backfill and then perform waterproofing and closed-water tests before laying floor tiles. In contrast, the importance of waterproofing in the kitchen floor is relatively low due to less water volume. If the kitchen is moved to the bathroom's location, waterproofing needs to be redone, and the construction quality must be guaranteed. However, in China, most construction and renovation units find it difficult to ensure excellent waterproofing construction quality even under supervision, and ordinary homeowners find it even harder to control. Once waterproofing problems occur, it will cause damage to the house of the downstairs occupants and trigger neighborhood disputes.

Functional Layout and Adjacency Issues: Moving the kitchen to the bathroom's location may not conform to usage habits and actual needs and may also violate public order and good customs and relevant regulations. For example, the "Residential Design Code" issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of China clearly stipulates that bathrooms should not be directly arranged above the kitchens of downstairs occupants. Based on the special use of bathrooms, their modification will make the downstairs occupants uncomfortable and does not conform to the general living habits.

Cost Issues: Moving the kitchen to the bathroom's location is costly, involving pipeline modifications and wall modifications and other projects. During construction, it may also cause damage to the house and noise interference, bringing many inconveniences to the occupants.