(apologies if this is a duplicate- my earlier post didn ‘t seem to work)
Is an overflow absolutely necessary (or required by code) for a lavatory sink? I have a nice sink (I think it must be a bar sink) I’d like to use, but it has no built-in overflow.
thanks
Bill
Replies
I am not a plumber, so take this for what you paid for it.
I have purchased (customer request) and installed several lavs and vanity top sinks without overflows. Three of the five that I can think of were inspected and passed.
It could be a local code requirement, so check with your Inspector. The phone call is free and could save you some grief and money down the road.
Dave
I can't quote a standard practice/rule/code for your question.
A deductive type answer would go like this: Ever see a
kitchen sink with an overflow? Some the modern lav's
that are glass bowls on top a piece of furniture and the spouts
come out of the wall...no overflow there except onto the floor.
None of my check-off lists for inspections have overflow listed.
Definitely would check with state & local codes & inspectors.
Sometimes codes have little to do with "reasoning"!!!
Best I could do.......................Iron Helix
Have installed ones like that in the past. Have never heard of it being a problem. Like said before, Kit sinks do not have one.
However.....If you do put in a lsmall av w/out an overflow, please replace the drain assembly (that comes w/ the faucet) with a simpler one that does NOT have a stopper. (Just a disk w/ holes in it). (Unless you want a call back) Small lavs will fill up and overflow very fast compared to the kit sink.
Make sure the faucet will not look too funny w/out the pull-up for the stopper.
I will second the comment about removing the stopper in a sink without an overflow.
When I build my house 2 years ago, I got a few basic sinks (without overflows) to hold us over until we could afford something nicer. It took my 3 year old son about a week after we moved in to let me know to remover the stopper in their sink, which I intentionally made lower so the kids could reach.
Thanks, everyone- what a great resource you all are!Bill