When we’re talking about purposeful accessories for your bathroom sink, the first thing that probably comes to your mind is a convenient bath tap or a plug. The truth is that many people tend to focus on these more aesthetical fixtures and overlook the functional ones.
For instance, basin wastes are among the most overlooked fixtures with significant roles- letting water in the basin get drained safely, regardless of your bathroom sink design. So, whether you’re about to replace your entire bathroom sink, or you’re just curious about these purposeful fixtures, know that there’s a couple of different types of wastes. Here’s what you need to know about each of them.
Slotted vs. Unslotted Wastes
Before you decide to hit the market and explore bath drain wastes, keep in mind that regardless of their type, wastes can be either slotted or unslotted. But before we categorize different bath wastes, it’s essential to get to know and assess if your sink has an overflow.
Overflows are small holes located near the rim of the sink that let excess water get drained if the sink accidentally gets too full.
This feature is very recommended, as it can save your bathroom from flooding if you accidentally leave the tap on. When it comes to picking the right type for a sink with an overflow, you’ll need slotted waste to allow water drainage even when the waste isn’t open. On the other hand, if your sink doesn’t feature an overflow, you’ll need to get an unslotted waste to prevent any water get back into the waste pipe.
Pop-Up Wastes
Except for slotted and unslotted, bath drain wastes can be split into a couple of other general categories. For instance, pop-up wastes are among the most commonly used ones due to the ease of use they offer. In fact, these wastes work by using a lever and rod mechanism- you simply need to pull up the lever to lower the plug stopper and push it down to pop up the waste.
A pop up waste for basin makes for an excellent choice to seal the water in your basin when needed. Their only disadvantage may be that they can get stuck when the plug insert is pushed down, and hence, require a replacement.
Click-Clack Wastes
As their name implies, the click-clack basin waste type will make a sound when using them. They use a very simple mechanism which is similar to pressing a button – once you push the stopper down, the waste pops up making a click sound, and when you push it down once again, it clamps down with a clacking sound.
This is why they’re also commonly found as push button wastes or sprung plug wastes. Except for the ease of use, click-clack wastes are known for their concealed mechanism as they don’t feature any visible chains.
Flip Top Wastes
Flip top, or commonly referred to as flip over wastes look very modern and sleek and can be commonly spotted in contemporary design bathrooms. These wastes typically feature a disc-shaped stopper that you can flip, rotate, and reposition to seal or reveal the drain.
Hence, when you leave the stopper flat, it will seal the waste to hold the water in your sink and prevent it from running off. Once you want to drain the water, all you need to do is simply rotate it. When it comes to rotation, spinning it 180 degrees clockwise will open the waste and let the water run, while spinning it for 180 degrees counter-clockwise will close the drain and seal the sink.
Plug and Chain Wastes
Plug and chain bath drain wastes are popular for both traditional and modern styled bathrooms as they’re very affordable and durable. These wastes consist of a plug that is attached to a chain used to seal the hole in the basin and fill it with water.
Once you want to drain the water, you simply need to pull the chain to release the plug. However, keep in mind that plug and chain wastes may not be the most suitable option for some modern sink designs, as most of them don’t feature holes for chain links. Otherwise, they make for a simple and practical fixture that won’t disappoint for years.
Free Flow Wastes
Free flow, or also known as free-running bathroom waste fittings are the simplest type you’re probably familiar with. This type of waste looks similar to click-clack wastes, but has a significant difference in that you can never close it. Instead, this mechanism remains open all the time and lets the water flow through the waste.
Free flow basin wastes may seem like a very inconvenient option, but keep in mind they’re very recommended for small basins that don’t feature overflows as they eliminate the risk of flooding the bathroom. They’re also commonly used in commercial bathrooms.
Now that you found out about the different types of wastes, it’s time to visit your favourite bathware store and pick something that fits your basin, as well as your needs and preferences. Once you have the right waste, you can rest assured that you can easily seal your sink and use it for your home chores.
