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I’m interested in putting a workbench with a built-in utility sink in my insulated, but unheated garage. Given that I live in New England, is there a way to do this so that the pipes won’t burst in cold weather? The wall where I want to put it has a bathroom on the other side, so water supply and drain pipe are close. I was thinking about taps similar to the ones I have for outside faucets, where the washer is actually inside the house. I’d have to have the trap inside the house somehow too. Any suggestions?
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Just plumb it so that you can shut off the water supply in the freezing months (unless you want to heat your garage). Trying to keep it operable in the winter months is asking for trouble.
*It can also be a code issue. Out here, a sink would be regarded as a potential bootleg kitchen, and your garage would be looked at as a potential illegal rental unit.-- J.S.
*There is a device called a "non-freezing hydrant" that is used outdoors year round in farm areas. Essentially, the hydrant drains all the water out of the pipe to a drain field once the water is turned off. The hydrants usually come with a 1.25 inch pipe that can be plumbed to 3/4 inch line. It's not a glamorous device but it does work and they are available from plumbing supply houses as well as farm supply stores.
*Pete, I assume your talking about frost proof hose bibs? Do you plan on plumbing them above the sink so they will act as your faucets as well?If your plan is to use them as shuts off below the sink you will need a way to drain water out the supply lines every time or the water left behind will burst the the bibs and supply lines. For this I would suggest using a stop and waste behind the wall. This will allow you to drain the lines too. As for the trap ideally it should be right under the drain so you will be able to clean it out easy, since it is going to be a junk sink. To keep it from freezing you could just dump some RV antifreeze in the trap every fall. Or use heat tape around the pipe.Scott R.
*We all need a good slop sink in the garage for fish, clams, and muddy gloves. This must be the next big growth industry!;>)
*Pete- Frost-proof shutoffs 12". They drain all by themselves. The stem runs to the valve at the end of the pipe. Sweat a threaded 1/2" "T" with the threads facing the garage into you sink feeds. Do yourself a favor and put them above the shutoffs in you existing sink. I have mine on all winter. Drain with an elbow at the drain 90 degrees into the house. Drop in a sanitary "T" and install your trap into it under your bath sink. Simple
*We found our ultimate shop sink from a used restaurant supply place. Big ol' standing stainless 4x2x2 basin, with two compartments, and fixtures for 300 bucks! Plenty of room for muddy tools and boots and dogs and kids ...
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I'm interested in putting a workbench with a built-in utility sink in my insulated, but unheated garage. Given that I live in New England, is there a way to do this so that the pipes won't burst in cold weather? The wall where I want to put it has a bathroom on the other side, so water supply and drain pipe are close. I was thinking about taps similar to the ones I have for outside faucets, where the washer is actually inside the house. I'd have to have the trap inside the house somehow too. Any suggestions?