skip to main content

Vessel sink drain/overflow

13 years ago

I purchased an american standard white vessel sink from Home Depot. A great price, it came with a grid drain and an overflow drain cover- both in Chrome.

I am doing either aged pewter (impulse buy from Tuesday morning clearance rack) or oil rubbed bronze (as planned) for the faucet and the bright chrome doesnt match.

How do you cover an overflow drain? I havent seen any covers for it. I also heard that grid drains are not good for draining. Should I get a new drain? Is it possible to turn the sink so the drain is in the front and less visible or will that be annoying to hand washers?

I don't know what to do.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

MongoCT
13 years ago
The grid drains can be problematic with vessel sinks that do not have overflows. The surface tension of the water over the small grid openings can cause a bit of a vacuum lock so to speak. Not the technically perfect way to describe it...but short story long, I've never seen any drainage problems with sinks that have overflows. At least that's my experience with vessel sinks.

As to your other questions, I'm not familiar with the specific sink so I can't comment on those Q's.
davidro1
13 years ago
After you find a faucet you like, see about getting that same faucet with a stopper drain and a lever in the faucet body to open/close it. A very common purchase combination. The new drain replaces the one you just got, which you chuck out or give away.

yes you can turn the sink around. There are no police enforcing sink orientation one way or the other. A drain drains the same too. Turning it around helps you see less of the chrome overflow drain cover. (Replating it is always an option.) Sooner or later someone might post a link to a web site where you can order cheap overflow cover plates with various finishes. Never gone looking for it myself. Post what you yourself can find.

hth
Related Discussions
Pop-up drain for onyx vessel sink
Q
Comments (7)
Hi neesie, As far as I know, there is only one standard size bath drain. Sometimes these are referred to as 1 1/2", sometimes 1 3/4", etc. The confusion is sometimes due to the escutcion size rather than the size of the hole. I'm assuming the seller of the sink also sells drains? If not, then you simply need to go to a hardware store, pick out a drain you want and measure the size of the part that will be going through the hole in the bottom of the sink. I suspect that any size "standard" bath drain - whether vessel style of not - will work with your sink. One other comment, I don't believe there is a "pop up" style drain that will work for a vessel sink. There is an "umbrella" style that you manually push down once to close, and again to open. A "pop-up" style generally means that there is a mechanism behind the drain that will open and close the drain from your faucet. ...however, this is always for a sink that has an overflow from my experience. Hope this helps.
...See More
Overflow hole in vessel sinks
Q
Comments (7)
josieindc-I was also concerned about no overflow & possibly a slow drain with kids blasting the water. The vessel sink I fell in love with is glass so no overflow. My plumbing supply store rep kept telling me I wouldn't have a problem with it & they were 100% right. Due to the lower flow rates in the newer faucets the blasting of water is much less of an issue. You can either get the stopper style drain (good point above about it being a powder room sink so you likely won't need to stop the sink up), or you can go with a grate style drain. With normal use, with the grate style drain the only thing that would cause an overflow would be a clogged drain, which would probably mean that an overflow wouldn't work anyway as the water has no where to go. The grate style sounds like the way to go and then you don't have to worry about whether or not the sink has an overflow--you can just go with what you like. With a vessel sink, size is important due to splashing water issues. I'm not talking about kids here, just the normal splash that occurs when the water hits either the sink or your hands. The larger & deeper the sink the less splash out you have. The smaller & shallower the sink, the more splash out you will have. From what I've read, you can generally recess most vessel sinks into the counter top. Hope this helps!
...See More
rusty sink overflow and drain--salvageable?
Q
Comments (7)
I have an original cast iron sink that has an overflow compartment that is rusted. My problem is that i had the sink professionally sprayed by a reputable comanyvin Buffalo NY. shortly after I noticed rust around the overflow holes. That led me to looking beniethvthe sink where I found that there is a small pocket where the water ends up going and it is rusted in there I assume from the standing water what can I do to get the rust out? Maybe pour coke in there? they say it desolves rust. Please any suggestions?
...See More
slow vessel sink drain
Q
Comments (1)
What is the diameter of the pipe in the wall and what is the overall length from the sink trap to the vertical riser or stack?
...See More
adh673
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks, here is the vanity/sink:
{{gwi:1490937}}

I didnt know if it would be weird to have the overflow towards the front, I know nothings illegal, but weirdness isnt a great look.

Here is the faucet I planned on- a 200 dollar Elements of Design.

{{gwi:1490934}}

Here is the one I found on clearance for 99 dollars (a 3o0 faucet I am trying to talk myself into). its aged pewter- I am just not sure if that is Cold looking or ok since it plays off the black of the hardware...
{{gwi:1497328}}

Related Stories

SHOP HOUZZ Shop Houzz: Up to 65% Off Bathroom Sinks and Faucets

Stunning bathroom fixtures for less to keep your dollars from going down the drain

0

DECORATING GUIDES For Your Next Sink, Think Unique

By The Inman Company

Any kind of vessel can do the trick — from buckets to barrels, outsized shells to old-fashioned washers

BATHROOM DESIGN How to Choose the Right Bathroom Sink

By Anne Ellard Design

Learn the differences among eight styles of bathroom sinks, and find the perfect one for your space

BATHROOM DESIGN Small-Bathroom Secret: Free Up Space With a Wall-Mounted Sink

By Rachel Grace

Make a tiny bath or powder room feel more spacious by swapping a clunky vanity for a pared-down basin off the floor

KITCHEN SINKS Everything You Need to Know About Farmhouse Sinks

By Anne Ellard Design

They’re charming, homey, durable, elegant, functional and nostalgic. Those are just a few of the reasons they’re so popular

KITCHEN DESIGN Clever Extras for a Perfectly Personalized Kitchen Sink

By Mary Jo Bowling

Streamline cooking prep and cleanup with integrated sink racks, baskets, inventive cutting boards and more

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Extravagant Sinks for Luxurious Bathrooms

By Shields & Company Interiors

Make a statement with a sink that celebrates artistry and individuality — just be prepared for the price tag

MOST POPULAR How to Choose the Right Kitchen Sink

By Mary Jo Bowling

Learn about basin configurations, sink shapes, materials and even accessories and specialty sinks

BATHROOM VANITIES Should You Have One Sink or Two in Your Primary Bathroom?

By Tiffany Carboni

An architect discusses the pros and cons of double vs. solo sinks and offers advice for both

BATHROOM DESIGN Green and Clean: Ecofriendly Bathroom Sinks

By Ivon Street Studio

Sinks crafted from recycled rubber, glass and more make for showstopping bathroom features and are more affordable than ever

Sponsored

More Discussions

Bath remodel with walk in shower

1

Winifred or Hibiscus

1

I have an off balance space in bathroom

3

AXOR Brushed bronze support bar

1

tilebar kenridge ribbon white

1