Basin Waste

Basin wastes, or sink wastes as many also call them, are an often overlooked yet always important component when redoing any bathroom. This basin waste guide will take you through the details of basin types and reveal every waste design including click clack, flip top, pop-up, and the classic plug and chain option.

What is a Basin Waste?

A basin waste is a channel designed to enable water in your basin to run off safely, regardless of the sinks design. The basin waste will also allow you to block the pipes of your sink, allowing it to fill up with water. 

What Is a Basin Overflow?

A basin overflow is a small hole located near the rim of the sink that enables water to be drained away if the sink begins to get too full. This is designed to stop you flooding your bathroom if you accidentally leave the tap on. Not every sink will have an overflow so this will affect which you choose. 

Slotted Or Unslotted Basin Waste?

If your sink has an overflow you will need a slotted basin waste. If your sink doesn't have an overflow, you will need to install an unslotted basin waste. An unslotted basin waste is watertight, so it won't allow any water which has gone into the overflow back into the waste pipe. Slotted wastes will allow overflow water to be drained, whether the waste is open or not.

Often, you will see bathroom sinks featuring an overflow whereas kitchen sinks and other basins do not offer an overflow. Selecting the wrong basin waste can cause irreparable damage to your sink so it is crucial you correctly determine the type needed. It can also leave you at serious risk of flooding in a moment of oversight by anyone using your sink. 

Types Of Basin Waste

There’s quite a few different types of basin waste available to you. Each will be familiar and each has unique styling and functional properties that justify their availability to bathroom renovators.

• Click Type
• Flip Top
• Pop -Up
• Plug and Chain
• Free Flow

Click Clack

Arguably the most popular basin waste style currently available, the click clack basin waste has many names; clicker, push button and sprung plug waste to name a few. Click clacks, are as useful as their name is memorable. Simply push down the stopper once to close the click clack, and push again to open once more.

Flip Top

Next up, the flip top basin waste. In these designs you will note there is a disc-shaped stopper that is rotated, flipped or otherwise repositioned to either completely seal or reveal the drain. The flip top is a highly fashionable basin waste option as it can be incorporated easily into modern, minimalist bathrooms.

Pop-Up

Pop-up basin wastes make use of a waste lever. You pull or push on the lever to raise or lower the stopper – it’s as simple as that.

Plug and Chain

This option doesn’t require too detailed an explanation  and is no doubt the type of basin waste with which you are most familiar. The plug and chain has for centuries and remains to be a staple amongst entry-level bathrooms. However, it is seeing a resurgence across many deluxe, modern set-ups thanks to its nostalgic appeal and ease of function.

Free Flow

If you go free flow, you are keeping your basin waste pipe permanently open. Simple, direct – enjoy powerfully simple draining with a free flow basin waste, perhaps the most user-friendly of all waste systems.